{"id":5004,"date":"2013-01-03T18:34:34","date_gmt":"2013-01-03T23:34:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?p=5004"},"modified":"2017-11-13T05:57:30","modified_gmt":"2017-11-13T10:57:30","slug":"birding-blackwater-national-wldlife-refuge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?p=5004","title":{"rendered":"Birding  Blackwater National Wldlife Refuge"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<!-- Facebook Like Button v1.9.6 BEGIN [http:\/\/blog.bottomlessinc.com] -->\n<iframe src=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/plugins\/like.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fhughvandervoort.com%2F%3Fp%3D5004&amp;layout=standard&amp;show_faces=false&amp;width=450&amp;action=like&amp;colorscheme=light\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowTransparency=\"true\" style=\"border:none; overflow:hidden; width:450px; height: 30px; align: left; margin: 2px 0px 2px 0px\"><\/iframe>\n<!-- Facebook Like Button END -->\n<p>Back in the 70s I used to go several times a year to Blackwater NWR, so I decided to try again this morning. It&#8217;s changed a bit, with better roads and amenities, and a service charge ($3.00), but the birds are as numerous and spectacular.<br \/>\nI saw two Bald Eagles even before I entered, and many more during the morning (I stayed about 4 hours). Swans, Geese, Herons, and Ducks were numerous, and I saw one Duck that was new to me. I spent some time on the marsh trail and heard numerous woodpeckers, including a Pileated who escaped my lens.<br \/>\nA spectacular day!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/birding-blackwater-national-wldlife-refuge\/bald-eagle-62\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5057\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"5057\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5057\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-62.jpg?fit=1012%2C936&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1012,936\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Bald Eagle\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-62.jpg?fit=584%2C540&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5057\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-62.jpg?resize=584%2C540&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Bald Eagle\" width=\"584\" height=\"540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-62.jpg?w=1012&amp;ssl=1 1012w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-62.jpg?resize=150%2C138&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-62.jpg?resize=324%2C300&amp;ssl=1 324w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/birding-blackwater-national-wldlife-refuge\/bald-eagle-64\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5076\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"5076\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5076\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-64.jpg?fit=1028%2C912&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1028,912\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Bald Eagle\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-64.jpg?fit=584%2C518&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5076\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-64.jpg?resize=584%2C518&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Bald Eagle\" width=\"584\" height=\"518\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-64.jpg?w=1028&amp;ssl=1 1028w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-64.jpg?resize=150%2C133&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-64.jpg?resize=338%2C300&amp;ssl=1 338w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5005\" style=\"width: 1418px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/birding-blackwater-national-wldlife-refuge\/bald-eagle-55\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5005\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5005\" data-attachment-id=\"5005\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5005\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-55.jpg?fit=1408%2C1564&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1408,1564\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Bald Eagle \" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;This Bald Eagle  was one of a pair sitting on a dock just before the entrance to the refuge. It&amp;#8217;s one of my best Eagle images to date.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-55.jpg?fit=584%2C649&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5005\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-55.jpg?resize=584%2C649&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Bald Eagle \" width=\"584\" height=\"649\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-55.jpg?w=1408&amp;ssl=1 1408w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-55.jpg?resize=135%2C150&amp;ssl=1 135w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-55.jpg?resize=270%2C300&amp;ssl=1 270w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-55.jpg?w=1168&amp;ssl=1 1168w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5005\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">This Bald Eagle was one of a pair sitting on a dock just before the entrance to the refuge. It&#8217;s one of my best Eagle images to date.<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_5008\" style=\"width: 3318px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/birding-blackwater-national-wldlife-refuge\/bald-eagle-56\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5008\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5008\" data-attachment-id=\"5008\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5008\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-56.jpg?fit=3308%2C1716&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3308,1716\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Bald Eagle\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;A very good look at the tail feathers.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-56.jpg?fit=584%2C501&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5008\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-56.jpg?resize=584%2C303&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Bald Eagle\" width=\"584\" height=\"303\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-56.jpg?w=3308&amp;ssl=1 3308w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-56.jpg?resize=150%2C77&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-56.jpg?resize=500%2C259&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-56.jpg?w=1168&amp;ssl=1 1168w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-56.jpg?w=1752&amp;ssl=1 1752w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5008\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A very good look at the tail feathers.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/birding-blackwater-national-wldlife-refuge\/bald-eagle-59\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5015\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"5015\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5015\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-59.jpg?fit=1580%2C1448&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1580,1448\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Bald Eagle\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-59.jpg?fit=584%2C535&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5015\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-59.jpg?resize=584%2C535&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Bald Eagle\" width=\"584\" height=\"535\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-59.jpg?w=1580&amp;ssl=1 1580w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-59.jpg?resize=150%2C137&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-59.jpg?resize=327%2C300&amp;ssl=1 327w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-59.jpg?w=1168&amp;ssl=1 1168w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5012\" style=\"width: 1394px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/birding-blackwater-national-wldlife-refuge\/bald-eagle-58\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5012\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5012\" data-attachment-id=\"5012\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5012\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-58.jpg?fit=1384%2C1096&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1384,1096\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Bald Eagle\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Better light would have been nice, but I&amp;#8217;ll take it.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-58.jpg?fit=584%2C462&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5012\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-58.jpg?resize=584%2C462&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Bald Eagle\" width=\"584\" height=\"462\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-58.jpg?w=1384&amp;ssl=1 1384w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-58.jpg?resize=150%2C118&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-58.jpg?resize=378%2C300&amp;ssl=1 378w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-58.jpg?w=1168&amp;ssl=1 1168w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5012\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Better light would have been nice, but I&#8217;ll take it.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/birding-blackwater-national-wldlife-refuge\/great-blue-heron-81-2\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5044\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"5044\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5044\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-811.jpg?fit=964%2C1016&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"964,1016\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Great Blue Heron\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-811.jpg?fit=584%2C616&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5044\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-811.jpg?resize=584%2C616&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Great Blue Heron\" width=\"584\" height=\"616\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-811.jpg?w=964&amp;ssl=1 964w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-811.jpg?resize=142%2C150&amp;ssl=1 142w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-811.jpg?resize=284%2C300&amp;ssl=1 284w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5019\" style=\"width: 974px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/birding-blackwater-national-wldlife-refuge\/great-blue-heron-81\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5019\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5019\" data-attachment-id=\"5019\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5019\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-81.jpg?fit=964%2C1016&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"964,1016\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Great Blue Heron \" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;This Great Blue Heron  wasn&amp;#8217;t quite awake yet.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-81.jpg?fit=584%2C616&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5019\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-81.jpg?resize=584%2C616&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Great Blue Heron \" width=\"584\" height=\"616\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-81.jpg?w=964&amp;ssl=1 964w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-81.jpg?resize=142%2C150&amp;ssl=1 142w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-81.jpg?resize=284%2C300&amp;ssl=1 284w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5019\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">This Great Blue Heron wasn&#8217;t quite awake yet.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/birding-blackwater-national-wldlife-refuge\/snow-goose-2\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5036\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"5036\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5036\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Snow-Goose-2.jpg?fit=1500%2C1000&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1500,1000\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;6.3&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;NIKON D3100&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1357210684&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;380&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;360&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.00125&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Snow Goose \" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Snow-Goose-2.jpg?fit=584%2C389&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5036\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Snow-Goose-2.jpg?resize=584%2C389&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Snow Goose \" width=\"584\" height=\"389\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Snow-Goose-2.jpg?w=1500&amp;ssl=1 1500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Snow-Goose-2.jpg?resize=150%2C100&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Snow-Goose-2.jpg?resize=450%2C300&amp;ssl=1 450w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Snow-Goose-2.jpg?w=1168&amp;ssl=1 1168w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5020\" style=\"width: 1354px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/birding-blackwater-national-wldlife-refuge\/snow-goose-1\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5020\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5020\" data-attachment-id=\"5020\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5020\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Snow-Goose-1.jpg?fit=1344%2C1416&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1344,1416\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Snow Goose\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Large flocks of Snow Geese were feeding in the marsh.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Snow-Goose-1.jpg?fit=584%2C615&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5020\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Snow-Goose-1.jpg?resize=584%2C615&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Snow Goose\" width=\"584\" height=\"615\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Snow-Goose-1.jpg?w=1344&amp;ssl=1 1344w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Snow-Goose-1.jpg?resize=142%2C150&amp;ssl=1 142w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Snow-Goose-1.jpg?resize=284%2C300&amp;ssl=1 284w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Snow-Goose-1.jpg?w=1168&amp;ssl=1 1168w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5020\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Large flocks of Snow Geese were feeding in the marsh.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/birding-blackwater-national-wldlife-refuge\/hooded-merganser-9\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5077\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"5077\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5077\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Hooded-Merganser-9.jpg?fit=688%2C540&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"688,540\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Hooded Merganser \" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Hooded-Merganser-9.jpg?fit=584%2C458&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5077\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Hooded-Merganser-9.jpg?resize=584%2C458&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Hooded Merganser \" width=\"584\" height=\"458\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Hooded-Merganser-9.jpg?w=688&amp;ssl=1 688w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Hooded-Merganser-9.jpg?resize=150%2C117&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Hooded-Merganser-9.jpg?resize=382%2C300&amp;ssl=1 382w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/birding-blackwater-national-wldlife-refuge\/hooded-merganser-7\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5024\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"5024\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5024\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Hooded-Merganser-7.jpg?fit=2416%2C1148&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2416,1148\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Hooded Merganser\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Hooded-Merganser-7.jpg?fit=584%2C335&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5024\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Hooded-Merganser-7.jpg?resize=584%2C277&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Hooded Merganser\" width=\"584\" height=\"277\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Hooded-Merganser-7.jpg?w=2416&amp;ssl=1 2416w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Hooded-Merganser-7.jpg?resize=150%2C71&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Hooded-Merganser-7.jpg?resize=500%2C237&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Hooded-Merganser-7.jpg?w=1168&amp;ssl=1 1168w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Hooded-Merganser-7.jpg?w=1752&amp;ssl=1 1752w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/birding-blackwater-national-wldlife-refuge\/hooded-merganser-8\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5026\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"5026\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5026\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Hooded-Merganser-8.jpg?fit=1080%2C692&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1080,692\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Hooded Merganser \" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Hooded-Merganser-8.jpg?fit=584%2C374&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5026\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Hooded-Merganser-8.jpg?resize=584%2C374&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Hooded Merganser \" width=\"584\" height=\"374\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Hooded-Merganser-8.jpg?w=1080&amp;ssl=1 1080w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Hooded-Merganser-8.jpg?resize=150%2C96&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Hooded-Merganser-8.jpg?resize=468%2C300&amp;ssl=1 468w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5022\" style=\"width: 1050px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/birding-blackwater-national-wldlife-refuge\/hooded-merganser-6\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5022\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5022\" data-attachment-id=\"5022\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5022\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Hooded-Merganser-6.jpg?fit=1040%2C868&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1040,868\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Hooded Merganser \" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;This Hooded Merganser  and his mate were hanging out with a flock of Mallards.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Hooded-Merganser-6.jpg?fit=584%2C487&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5022\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Hooded-Merganser-6.jpg?resize=584%2C487&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Hooded Merganser \" width=\"584\" height=\"487\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Hooded-Merganser-6.jpg?w=1040&amp;ssl=1 1040w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Hooded-Merganser-6.jpg?resize=150%2C125&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Hooded-Merganser-6.jpg?resize=359%2C300&amp;ssl=1 359w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5022\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">This Hooded Merganser and his mate were hanging out with a flock of Mallards.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/birding-blackwater-national-wldlife-refuge\/kingfisher-36\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5032\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"5032\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5032\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Kingfisher-36.jpg?fit=580%2C472&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"580,472\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Belted Kingfisher \" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Kingfisher-36.jpg?fit=580%2C472&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5032\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Kingfisher-36.jpg?resize=580%2C472&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Belted Kingfisher \" width=\"580\" height=\"472\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Kingfisher-36.jpg?w=580&amp;ssl=1 580w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Kingfisher-36.jpg?resize=150%2C122&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Kingfisher-36.jpg?resize=368%2C300&amp;ssl=1 368w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/birding-blackwater-national-wldlife-refuge\/kingfisher-37\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5034\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"5034\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5034\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Kingfisher-37.jpg?fit=792%2C620&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"792,620\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Belted Kingfisher \" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Kingfisher-37.jpg?fit=584%2C457&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5034\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Kingfisher-37.jpg?resize=584%2C457&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Belted Kingfisher \" width=\"584\" height=\"457\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Kingfisher-37.jpg?w=792&amp;ssl=1 792w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Kingfisher-37.jpg?resize=150%2C117&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Kingfisher-37.jpg?resize=383%2C300&amp;ssl=1 383w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5030\" style=\"width: 602px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/birding-blackwater-national-wldlife-refuge\/kingfisher-35\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5030\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5030\" data-attachment-id=\"5030\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5030\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Kingfisher-35.jpg?fit=592%2C488&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"592,488\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Belted Kingfisher \" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;A fellow birder pointed out this Belted Kingfisher. &lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Kingfisher-35.jpg?fit=584%2C481&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5030\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Kingfisher-35.jpg?resize=584%2C481&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Belted Kingfisher \" width=\"584\" height=\"481\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Kingfisher-35.jpg?w=592&amp;ssl=1 592w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Kingfisher-35.jpg?resize=150%2C123&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Kingfisher-35.jpg?resize=363%2C300&amp;ssl=1 363w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5030\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A fellow birder pointed out this Belted Kingfisher.<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_5038\" style=\"width: 858px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/birding-blackwater-national-wldlife-refuge\/mallard-31\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5038\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5038\" data-attachment-id=\"5038\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5038\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Mallard-31.jpg?fit=848%2C580&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"848,580\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Mallard\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;I saw more Mallards than any other duck.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Mallard-31.jpg?fit=584%2C399&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5038\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Mallard-31.jpg?resize=584%2C399&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Mallard\" width=\"584\" height=\"399\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Mallard-31.jpg?w=848&amp;ssl=1 848w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Mallard-31.jpg?resize=150%2C102&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Mallard-31.jpg?resize=438%2C300&amp;ssl=1 438w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5038\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">I saw more Mallards than any other duck.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/birding-blackwater-national-wldlife-refuge\/bald-eagle-61\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5042\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"5042\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5042\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-61.jpg?fit=2080%2C2192&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2080,2192\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Bald Eagle \" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-61.jpg?fit=584%2C584&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5042\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-61.jpg?resize=584%2C615&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Bald Eagle \" width=\"584\" height=\"615\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-61.jpg?w=2080&amp;ssl=1 2080w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-61.jpg?resize=142%2C150&amp;ssl=1 142w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-61.jpg?resize=284%2C300&amp;ssl=1 284w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-61.jpg?w=1168&amp;ssl=1 1168w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-61.jpg?w=1752&amp;ssl=1 1752w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5040\" style=\"width: 1290px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/birding-blackwater-national-wldlife-refuge\/bald-eagle-60\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5040\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5040\" data-attachment-id=\"5040\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5040\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-60.jpg?fit=1280%2C1560&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1280,1560\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Bald Eagle\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;This Bald Eagle was quite content to have his picture taken.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-60.jpg?fit=584%2C712&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5040\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-60.jpg?resize=584%2C712&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Bald Eagle\" width=\"584\" height=\"712\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-60.jpg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-60.jpg?resize=123%2C150&amp;ssl=1 123w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-60.jpg?resize=246%2C300&amp;ssl=1 246w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Bald-Eagle-60.jpg?w=1168&amp;ssl=1 1168w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5040\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">This Bald Eagle was quite content to have his picture taken.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/birding-blackwater-national-wldlife-refuge\/great-blue-heron-81-2\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5044\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"5044\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5044\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-811.jpg?fit=964%2C1016&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"964,1016\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Great Blue Heron\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-811.jpg?fit=584%2C616&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5044\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-811.jpg?resize=584%2C616&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Great Blue Heron 81\" width=\"584\" height=\"616\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-811.jpg?w=964&amp;ssl=1 964w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-811.jpg?resize=142%2C150&amp;ssl=1 142w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-811.jpg?resize=284%2C300&amp;ssl=1 284w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/birding-blackwater-national-wldlife-refuge\/great-blue-heron-83\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5047\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"5047\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5047\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-83.jpg?fit=1464%2C1144&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1464,1144\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Great Blue Heron \" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-83.jpg?fit=584%2C456&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5047\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-83.jpg?resize=584%2C456&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Great Blue Heron \" width=\"584\" height=\"456\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-83.jpg?w=1464&amp;ssl=1 1464w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-83.jpg?resize=150%2C117&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-83.jpg?resize=383%2C300&amp;ssl=1 383w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-83.jpg?w=1168&amp;ssl=1 1168w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/birding-blackwater-national-wldlife-refuge\/great-blue-heron-84\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5049\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"5049\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5049\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-84.jpg?fit=1108%2C1520&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1108,1520\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Great Blue Heron \" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-84.jpg?fit=584%2C801&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5049\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-84.jpg?resize=584%2C801&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Great Blue Heron \" width=\"584\" height=\"801\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-84.jpg?w=1108&amp;ssl=1 1108w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-84.jpg?resize=109%2C150&amp;ssl=1 109w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-84.jpg?resize=218%2C300&amp;ssl=1 218w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5045\" style=\"width: 2278px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/birding-blackwater-national-wldlife-refuge\/great-blue-heron-82\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5045\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5045\" data-attachment-id=\"5045\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5045\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-82.jpg?fit=2268%2C2284&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2268,2284\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Great Blue Heron\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Two Great Blue Herons were fishing side by side.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-82.jpg?fit=584%2C584&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5045\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-82.jpg?resize=584%2C588&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Great Blue Heron\" width=\"584\" height=\"588\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-82.jpg?w=2268&amp;ssl=1 2268w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-82.jpg?resize=148%2C150&amp;ssl=1 148w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-82.jpg?resize=297%2C300&amp;ssl=1 297w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-82.jpg?w=1168&amp;ssl=1 1168w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-82.jpg?w=1752&amp;ssl=1 1752w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5045\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Two Great Blue Herons were fishing side by side.<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_5051\" style=\"width: 1358px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/birding-blackwater-national-wldlife-refuge\/northern-shoveller-1\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5051\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5051\" data-attachment-id=\"5051\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5051\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Northern-Shoveller-1.jpg?fit=1348%2C1156&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1348,1156\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Northern Shoveller \" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;I had to look in my book to identify these Northern Shovellers as I&amp;#8217;ve never seen one before. &lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Northern-Shoveller-1.jpg?fit=584%2C501&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5051\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Northern-Shoveller-1.jpg?resize=584%2C501&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Northern Shoveller \" width=\"584\" height=\"501\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Northern-Shoveller-1.jpg?w=1348&amp;ssl=1 1348w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Northern-Shoveller-1.jpg?resize=150%2C128&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Northern-Shoveller-1.jpg?resize=349%2C300&amp;ssl=1 349w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Northern-Shoveller-1.jpg?w=1168&amp;ssl=1 1168w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5051\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">I had to look in my book to identify these Northern Shovellers as I&#8217;ve never seen one before.<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_5053\" style=\"width: 562px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/birding-blackwater-national-wldlife-refuge\/american-kestrel-1\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5053\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5053\" data-attachment-id=\"5053\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5053\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/American-Kestrel-1.jpg?fit=552%2C540&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"552,540\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"American Kestrel \" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;The American Kestrel  used to known as the Sparrow Hawk.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/American-Kestrel-1.jpg?fit=552%2C540&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5053\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/American-Kestrel-1.jpg?resize=552%2C540&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"American Kestrel \" width=\"552\" height=\"540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/American-Kestrel-1.jpg?w=552&amp;ssl=1 552w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/American-Kestrel-1.jpg?resize=150%2C146&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/American-Kestrel-1.jpg?resize=306%2C300&amp;ssl=1 306w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 552px) 100vw, 552px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5053\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The American Kestrel used to be known as the Sparrow Hawk.<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_5055\" style=\"width: 1310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/birding-blackwater-national-wldlife-refuge\/turkey-vulture-19\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5055\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5055\" data-attachment-id=\"5055\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5055\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Turkey-Vulture-19.jpg?fit=1300%2C1096&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1300,1096\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Turkey Vulture \" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;I was lucky to snap this photo just as the Turkey Vulture  was landing.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Turkey-Vulture-19.jpg?fit=584%2C492&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5055\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Turkey-Vulture-19.jpg?resize=584%2C492&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Turkey Vulture \" width=\"584\" height=\"492\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Turkey-Vulture-19.jpg?w=1300&amp;ssl=1 1300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Turkey-Vulture-19.jpg?resize=150%2C126&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Turkey-Vulture-19.jpg?resize=355%2C300&amp;ssl=1 355w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Turkey-Vulture-19.jpg?w=1168&amp;ssl=1 1168w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5055\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">I was lucky to snap this photo just as the Turkey Vulture was landing.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/birding-blackwater-national-wldlife-refuge\/great-blue-heron-in-flight-45\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5065\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"5065\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5065\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-in-Flight-45.jpg?fit=1916%2C1600&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1916,1600\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Great Blue Heron in Flight \" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-in-Flight-45.jpg?fit=584%2C488&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5065\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-in-Flight-45.jpg?resize=584%2C488&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Great Blue Heron in Flight \" width=\"584\" height=\"488\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-in-Flight-45.jpg?w=1916&amp;ssl=1 1916w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-in-Flight-45.jpg?resize=150%2C125&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-in-Flight-45.jpg?resize=359%2C300&amp;ssl=1 359w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-in-Flight-45.jpg?w=1168&amp;ssl=1 1168w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-in-Flight-45.jpg?w=1752&amp;ssl=1 1752w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/birding-blackwater-national-wldlife-refuge\/great-blue-heron-in-flight-46\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5067\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"5067\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5067\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-in-Flight-46.jpg?fit=2472%2C2048&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2472,2048\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Great Blue Heron in Flight \" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-in-Flight-46.jpg?fit=584%2C584&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5067\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-in-Flight-46.jpg?resize=584%2C484&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Great Blue Heron in Flight \" width=\"584\" height=\"484\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-in-Flight-46.jpg?w=2472&amp;ssl=1 2472w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-in-Flight-46.jpg?resize=150%2C124&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-in-Flight-46.jpg?resize=362%2C300&amp;ssl=1 362w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-in-Flight-46.jpg?w=1168&amp;ssl=1 1168w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-in-Flight-46.jpg?w=1752&amp;ssl=1 1752w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/birding-blackwater-national-wldlife-refuge\/great-blue-heron-86\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5069\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"5069\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5069\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-86.jpg?fit=2256%2C2072&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2256,2072\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Great Blue Heron \" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-86.jpg?fit=584%2C584&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5069\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-86.jpg?resize=584%2C536&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Great Blue Heron \" width=\"584\" height=\"536\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-86.jpg?w=2256&amp;ssl=1 2256w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-86.jpg?resize=150%2C137&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-86.jpg?resize=326%2C300&amp;ssl=1 326w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-86.jpg?w=1168&amp;ssl=1 1168w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-86.jpg?w=1752&amp;ssl=1 1752w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/birding-blackwater-national-wldlife-refuge\/great-blue-heron-87\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5071\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"5071\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5071\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-87.jpg?fit=1196%2C920&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1196,920\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Great Blue Heron \" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-87.jpg?fit=584%2C449&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5071\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-87.jpg?resize=584%2C449&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Great Blue Heron \" width=\"584\" height=\"449\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-87.jpg?w=1196&amp;ssl=1 1196w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-87.jpg?resize=150%2C115&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-87.jpg?resize=390%2C300&amp;ssl=1 390w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5063\" style=\"width: 1786px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/birding-blackwater-national-wldlife-refuge\/great-blue-heron-85\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-5063\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5063\" data-attachment-id=\"5063\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?attachment_id=5063\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-85.jpg?fit=1776%2C2292&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1776,2292\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Great Blue Heron \" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;The light was beginning to improve when I found this Great Blue Heron. &lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-85.jpg?fit=584%2C658&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5063\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-85.jpg?resize=584%2C754&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Great Blue Heron \" width=\"584\" height=\"754\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-85.jpg?w=1776&amp;ssl=1 1776w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-85.jpg?resize=116%2C150&amp;ssl=1 116w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-85.jpg?resize=232%2C300&amp;ssl=1 232w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/hughvandervoort.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Great-Blue-Heron-85.jpg?w=1168&amp;ssl=1 1168w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5063\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The light was beginning to improve when I found this Great Blue Heron.<\/p><\/div>\n\n<!-- Facebook Like Button v1.9.6 BEGIN [http:\/\/blog.bottomlessinc.com] -->\n<iframe src=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/plugins\/like.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fhughvandervoort.com%2F%3Fp%3D5004&amp;layout=standard&amp;show_faces=false&amp;width=450&amp;action=like&amp;colorscheme=light\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowTransparency=\"true\" style=\"border:none; overflow:hidden; width:450px; height: 30px; align: left; margin: 2px 0px 2px 0px\"><\/iframe>\n<!-- Facebook Like Button END -->\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Back in the 70s I used to go several times a year to Blackwater NWR, so I decided to try again this morning. It&#8217;s changed a bit, with better roads and amenities, and a service charge ($3.00), but the birds &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/?p=5004\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5004","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-mybirdingday"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2xu3W-1iI","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5004","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5004"}],"version-history":[{"count":42,"href":"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5004\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":37632,"href":"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5004\/revisions\/37632"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5004"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5004"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hughvandervoort.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5004"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}