Malhuer National Wildlife Refuge Day 1

Malheur National Wildlife Refuge was established on August 18, 1908 by President Theodore Roosevelt as the Lake Malheur Bird Reservation. Roosevelt set aside unclaimed lands encompassed by Malheur, Mud and Harney Lakes “as a preserve and breeding ground for native birds.” The newly established “Lake Malheur Bird Reservation” was the 19th of 51 wildlife refuges created by Roosevelt during his tenure as president. At the time, Malheur was the third refuge in Oregon and one of only six refuges west of the Mississippi.

I recently had the opportunity to visit the refuge with wildlife photographers Ken Archer and Nate Chappell. Both were great at sharing their knowledge related to bird and bird behavior as well as how best to photograph them. It was really fun to have them continually anticipate what the bird was going to do next, and then have it happen.

Here are some of my shots from day 1, Thursday April 29, 2010. Click on any bird to enlarge.


Western Meadowlark, the Oregon state bird.



Sandhill Crane


Yellowheaded Blackbird



American Avocet







Black Necked Stilt



American Pelican


White Face Ibis


Prairie Falcon


Ring Necked Pheasant



Franklin's Gull



White Tail Deer



Willet Hard to believe it is the same bird when you see it in flight.



Northern Shoveler





Cinnamon Teal




Gadwall, Female



Ring Necked Duck


Northern Pintail



Mallard Duck



And finally one of my real favorites. The Long Billed Curlew is the largest of the curlews and it's huge bill is almost funny. They are really gregarious and in breeding season as they are here, quite entertaining to watch.








A great day of photographing birds.