Jeff Goulden National Wildlife Refuge Pictures, Images and Stock Photos

The San Francisco Peaks are the remnants of an ancient volcano that erupted millions of years ago, shattering a large mountain and leaving a large crater and surrounding peaks. The tallest of these are Humphreys at 12,637 feet and Agassiz at 12,356 feet. This picture of the snow-capped peaks reflected in a pond was taken from Kachina Wetlands in Kachina Village, Arizona, USA.

The American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus or Rana catesbeiana) is an amphibious member of the family Ranidae. The bullfrog is native to southern and eastern parts of the United States and Canada, but has been widely introduced across other parts of North, Central and South America, Western Europe, and parts of Asia, and in some areas is regarded as an invasive species. This large frog was found resting among lily pads at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge near Olympia, Washington State, USA.

The American Pika (Ochotona princeps) is an herbivorous, smaller relative of the rabbit. These cute rodents can be found in the mountains of western North America usually above the tree line in large boulder fields. The pika could become the first mammal in United States to be listed as endangered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service as a result of global climate change. This pika was found near Mount Fremont, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington State, USA.

Willapa Bay is the second-largest estuary on the Pacific Coast and home to a vibrant, diverse tideland ecosystem. Willapa Bay was recently designated as a Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network of International Importance. Willapa Bay is also home to the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge which includes Long Island. Low tide in Willapa Bay often leaves a pattern in the mud flats. This picture of a saltwater marsh and headland was photographed from Jensen Point on Long Island in the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge, Washington State, USA.

Wetlands are an important ecosystem that are permanently or seasonally dominated by water. The primary factor that distinguishes wetlands from other bodies of water is the characteristic presence of aquatic plants adapted to the unique environment. Wetlands play an important role in the environment, including water purification, water storage, processing of carbon and other nutrients and stabilization of shorelines. Wetlands are also home to a wide variety of plant and animal life. This wetland was photographed at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge near Olympia, Washington State, USA.

The North American Beaver (Castor canadensis) is the second-largest rodent in the world. It is a primarily nocturnal, semiaquatic animal known for creating ponds by building dams. They also build canals and the lodges that they live in. This beaver was photographed while feeding in a pond at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge near Olympia, Washington State, USA.

The National Wildlife Refuges are great places to view and photograph wildlife. Often, the natural beauty of these treasured places can be more inspiring than the wildlife that live there. Some of the best landscape pictures are often taken at wildlife refuges. This photograph was taken at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge near Willows, California, USA.

Wetlands are an important ecosystem that are permanently or seasonally dominated by water. The primary factor that distinguishes wetlands from other bodies of water is the characteristic presence of aquatic plants adapted to the unique environment. Wetlands play an important role in the environment, including water purification, water storage, processing of carbon and other nutrients and stabilization of shorelines. Wetlands are also home to a wide variety of plant and animal life. This lone tree with its fall foliage was photographed by a wetland at the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge near Los Banos in Merced County, California.

Wetlands are an important ecosystem that are permanently or seasonally dominated by water. The primary factor that distinguishes wetlands from other bodies of water is the characteristic presence of aquatic plants adapted to the unique environment. Wetlands play an important role in the environment, including water purification, water storage, processing of carbon and other nutrients and stabilization of shorelines. Wetlands are also home to a wide variety of plant and animal life. This wetland was photographed at Bowerman Basin in the Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge near Hoquiam, Washington State, USA.

Wetlands are an important ecosystem that are permanently or seasonally dominated by water. The primary factor that distinguishes wetlands from other bodies of water is the characteristic presence of aquatic plants adapted to the unique environment. Wetlands play an important role in the environment, including water purification, water storage, processing of carbon and other nutrients and stabilization of shorelines. Wetlands are also home to a wide variety of plant and animal life. This lone tree with its fall foliage was photographed by a wetland at the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge near Los Banos in Merced County, California.

The Ruby-Crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) is a small North American songbird. It is among the smallest songbirds on the continent. It has olive-green plumage with a white ring around the eye and white bars on the wing. The male has a red crown patch which is usually concealed, making the male and female identical in appearance. The juvenile kinglet is similar in plumage to the adults. The kinglet is a migratory bird. Its range extends from Alaska and northwest Canada south to Mexico. Its breeding habitat is spruce and fir forests in the mountainous regions of the United States and Canada. The kinglet builds a hanging cup-shaped nest in which it lays up to 12 eggs. Its diet consists mainly of insects but the kinglet also eats fruits and seeds. This female ruby-crowned kinglet was photographed at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge near Olympia, Washington State, USA.

There are many pothole lakes and ponds in the scablands of Central Washington. Corral Lake is in the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge near Othello, Washington State, USA.

Wetlands are an important ecosystem that are permanently or seasonally dominated by water. The primary factor that distinguishes wetlands from other bodies of water is the characteristic presence of aquatic plants adapted to the unique environment. Wetlands play an important role in the environment, including water purification, water storage, processing of carbon and other nutrients and stabilization of shorelines. Wetlands are also home to a wide variety of plant and animal life. This wetland was photographed at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge near Olympia, Washington State, USA.

The American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) is a small member of the heron family. It is an uncommon resident of the Pacific Northwest and very hard to spot because of their natural camouflage and shy tendencies. This close-up of a bittern was photographed at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge near Olympia, Washington State, USA.

Cirrus clouds appear in a blue sky over the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge near Logandale, California, USA.

The Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) is a songbird that is is the only member of the shrike family native to North America. "Loggerhead" refers to the relatively large size of the head as compared to the rest of the body. This shrike was perched in a tree at the Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area near McNeal, Arizona, USA.

The North American Beaver (Castor canadensis) is the second-largest rodent in the world. It is a primarily nocturnal, semiaquatic animal known for creating ponds by building dams. They also build canals and the lodges that they live in. This beaver was photographed while feeding in a pond at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge near Olympia, Washington State, USA.

Wetlands are an important ecosystem that are permanently or seasonally dominated by water. The primary factor that distinguishes wetlands from other bodies of water is the characteristic presence of aquatic plants adapted to the unique environment. Wetlands play an important role in the environment, including water purification, water storage, processing of carbon and other nutrients and stabilization of shorelines. Wetlands are also home to a wide variety of plant and animal life. This wetland was photographed at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge near Olympia, Washington State, USA.

Wetlands are an important ecosystem that are permanently or seasonally dominated by water. The primary factor that distinguishes wetlands from other bodies of water is the characteristic presence of aquatic plants adapted to the unique environment. Wetlands play an important role in the environment, including water purification, water storage, processing of carbon and other nutrients and stabilization of shorelines. Wetlands are also home to a wide variety of plant and animal life. This wetland was photographed at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge near Olympia, Washington State, USA.

The San Francisco Peaks are the remnants of an ancient volcano that erupted millions of years ago, shattering a large mountain and leaving a large crater and surrounding peaks. The tallest of these are Humphreys at 12,637 feet and Agassiz at 12,356 feet. This picture of the snow-capped peaks reflected in a pond was taken from Kachina Wetlands in Kachina Village, Arizona, USA.

The Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata) is a dabbling duck that uses its large spatulate bill to feed from the water. Flocks of shovelers often swim in circles with their big bills barely submerged straining food rather than shoveling it as their name implies. This female Northern Shoveler was photographed at Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge near Olympia, Washington State, USA.

The Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) is a widely distributed dabbling duck that breeds in the northern areas of Europe, Asia and North America. It is a migratory bird that winters south of its breeding range all the way to the equator. The male pintail is striking in appearance, having a white stripe running from the back of its dark brown head down its neck to its mostly white breast. The male also has a gray, brown, and black pattern on its back and sides. The female is more subdued in color with brown feathers similar to those of other female dabbling ducks. The northern pintail likes open wetlands and nests on the ground, usually a distance from the water. It feeds by dabbling for plants and also eats small invertebrates during the nesting season. This male northern pintail was photographed while standing on a mud flat at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge near Olympia, Washington State, USA.

Wetlands are an important ecosystem that are permanently or seasonally dominated by water. The primary factor that distinguishes wetlands from other bodies of water is the characteristic presence of aquatic plants adapted to the unique environment. Wetlands play an important role in the environment, including water purification, water storage, processing of carbon and other nutrients and stabilization of shorelines. Wetlands are also home to a wide variety of plant and animal life. This wetland was photographed at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge near Olympia, Washington State, USA.

Wetlands are an important ecosystem that are permanently or seasonally dominated by water. The primary factor that distinguishes wetlands from other bodies of water is the characteristic presence of aquatic plants adapted to the unique environment. Wetlands play an important role in the environment, including water purification, water storage, processing of carbon and other nutrients and stabilization of shorelines. Wetlands are also home to a wide variety of plant and animal life. This wetland was photographed at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge near Olympia, Washington State, USA.

The Canada goose (Branta canadensis) is a large goose with a black head and neck, white cheeks, white under its chin, and a brown body. It is native to the arctic and temperate regions of North America. This goose is standing in some dead grass at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge near Olympia, Washington State, USA.

The Canada goose (Branta canadensis) is a large goose with a black head and neck, white cheeks, white under its chin, and a brown body. It is native to the arctic and temperate regions of North America. This goose is sitting on a nest at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge near Olympia, Washington State, USA.

Wetlands are an important ecosystem that are permanently or seasonally dominated by water. The primary factor that distinguishes wetlands from other bodies of water is the characteristic presence of aquatic plants adapted to the unique environment. Wetlands play an important role in the environment, including water purification, water storage, processing of carbon and other nutrients and stabilization of shorelines. Wetlands are also home to a wide variety of plant and animal life. The historic twin barns reflected in a wetland was photographed at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge near Olympia, Washington State, USA.

The Ring-Billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) is a medium-sized gull with a distinctive black ring around its bill. Their breeding habitat is along the coast in Canada or the northern United States. In other areas they breed near lakes and rivers. They nest in colonies on the ground, often on islands. They may keep the same mate and nesting site from year to year. Ring-billed gulls forage for food while swimming, walking or wading. They are omnivorous, feeding on insects, fish, grain, eggs, earthworms and rodents. The ring-billed gull is opportunistic and will take food discarded by humans. This ring-billed gull was photographed while swimming in a pond at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge near Olympia, Washington State, USA.

The Ring-Billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) is a medium-sized gull with a distinctive black ring around its bill. Their breeding habitat is along the coast in Canada or the northern United States. In other areas they breed near lakes and rivers. They nest in colonies on the ground, often on islands. They may keep the same mate and nesting site from year to year. Ring-billed gulls forage for food while swimming, walking or wading. They are omnivorous, feeding on insects, fish, grain, eggs, earthworms and rodents. The ring-billed gull is opportunistic and will take food discarded by humans. This ring-billed gull was photographed while swimming in a pond at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge near Olympia, Washington State, USA.

Wetlands are an important ecosystem that are permanently or seasonally dominated by water. The primary factor that distinguishes wetlands from other bodies of water is the characteristic presence of aquatic plants adapted to the unique environment. Wetlands play an important role in the environment, including water purification, water storage, processing of carbon and other nutrients and stabilization of shorelines. Wetlands are also home to a wide variety of plant and animal life. The historic twin barns reflected in a wetland was photographed at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge near Olympia, Washington State, USA.

The Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) is a widely distributed dabbling duck that breeds in the northern areas of Europe, Asia and North America. It is a migratory bird that winters south of its breeding range all the way to the equator. The male pintail is striking in appearance, having a white stripe running from the back of its dark brown head down its neck to its mostly white breast. The male also has a gray, brown, and black pattern on its back and sides. The female is more subdued in color with brown feathers similar to those of other female dabbling ducks. The northern pintail likes open wetlands and nests on the ground, usually a distance from the water. It feeds by dabbling for plants and also eats small invertebrates during the nesting season. This male northern pintail was photographed while standing on a mud flat at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge near Olympia, Washington State, USA.

Wetlands are an important ecosystem that are permanently or seasonally dominated by water. The primary factor that distinguishes wetlands from other bodies of water is the characteristic presence of aquatic plants adapted to the unique environment. Wetlands play an important role in the environment, including water purification, water storage, processing of carbon and other nutrients and stabilization of shorelines. Wetlands are also home to a wide variety of plant and animal life. This wetland was photographed at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge near Olympia, Washington State, USA.

Wetlands are an important ecosystem that are permanently or seasonally dominated by water. The primary factor that distinguishes wetlands from other bodies of water is the characteristic presence of aquatic plants adapted to the unique environment. Wetlands play an important role in the environment, including water purification, water storage, processing of carbon and other nutrients and stabilization of shorelines. Wetlands are also home to a wide variety of plant and animal life. This wetland was photographed at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge near Olympia, Washington State, USA.

The Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) is a widely distributed dabbling duck that breeds in the northern areas of Europe, Asia and North America. It is a migratory bird that winters south of its breeding range all the way to the equator. The male pintail is striking in appearance, having a white stripe running from the back of its dark brown head down its neck to its mostly white breast. The male also has a gray, brown, and black pattern on its back and sides. The female is more subdued in color with brown feathers similar to those of other female dabbling ducks. The northern pintail likes open wetlands and nests on the ground, usually a distance from the water. It feeds by dabbling for plants and also eats small invertebrates during the nesting season. This female northern pintail was photographed while standing on a mud flat at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge near Olympia, Washington State, USA.

The Ring-Necked Duck (Aythya collaris) is a North American diving duck found in freshwater ponds and lakes. The duck’s name comes from the drake’s cinnamon colored neck ring. The male also has two white rings around its gray bill, a shiny black head, black back, a white line on the wings, a white breast and yellow eyes. The female has a grayish brown head and body with a dark brown back and a dark bill. The breeding habitat of the ring-necked duck is lakes and ponds in the northern United States and Canada. Ring-necked ducks pair up during spring migration and then separate after breeding. These ducks are omnivores and feed mainly by diving or dabbling for submerged plants such as pondweed, wild rice, coontail and snails. This male ring-necked duck was photographed swimming in a pond at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge near Olympia, Washington State, USA.

The Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) is a widely distributed dabbling duck that breeds in the northern areas of Europe, Asia and North America. It is a migratory bird that winters south of its breeding range all the way to the equator. The male pintail is striking in appearance, having a white stripe running from the back of its dark brown head down its neck to its mostly white breast. The male also has a gray, brown, and black pattern on its back and sides. The female is more subdued in color with brown feathers similar to those of other female dabbling ducks. The northern pintail likes open wetlands and nests on the ground, usually a distance from the water. It feeds by dabbling for plants and also eats small invertebrates during the nesting season. This northern pintail pair was photographed while dabbling in the water at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge near Olympia, Washington State, USA.

Wetlands are an important ecosystem that are permanently or seasonally dominated by water. The primary factor that distinguishes wetlands from other bodies of water is the characteristic presence of aquatic plants adapted to the unique environment. Wetlands play an important role in the environment, including water purification, water storage, processing of carbon and other nutrients and stabilization of shorelines. Wetlands are also home to a wide variety of plant and animal life. This wetland was photographed at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge near Olympia, Washington State, USA.

The Canada goose (Branta canadensis) is a large goose with a black head and neck, white cheeks, white under its chin, and a brown body. It is native to the arctic and temperate regions of North America. This goose is feeding in the grass at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge near Olympia, Washington State, USA.

The Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) is a widely distributed dabbling duck that breeds in the northern areas of Europe, Asia and North America. It is a migratory bird that winters south of its breeding range all the way to the equator. The male pintail is striking in appearance, having a white stripe running from the back of its dark brown head down its neck to its mostly white breast. The male also has a gray, brown, and black pattern on its back and sides. The female is more subdued in color with brown feathers similar to those of other female dabbling ducks. The northern pintail likes open wetlands and nests on the ground, usually a distance from the water. It feeds by dabbling for plants and also eats small invertebrates during the nesting season. This male northern pintail was photographed while standing on a mud flat at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge near Olympia, Washington State, USA.

The Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) is a widely distributed dabbling duck that breeds in the northern areas of Europe, Asia and North America. It is a migratory bird that winters south of its breeding range all the way to the equator. The male pintail is striking in appearance, having a white stripe running from the back of its dark brown head down its neck to its mostly white breast. The male also has a gray, brown, and black pattern on its back and sides. The female is more subdued in color with brown feathers similar to those of other female dabbling ducks. The northern pintail likes open wetlands and nests on the ground, usually a distance from the water. It feeds by dabbling for plants and also eats small invertebrates during the nesting season. This female northern pintail was photographed while standing on a mud flat at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge near Olympia, Washington State, USA.

Wetlands are an important ecosystem that are permanently or seasonally dominated by water. The primary factor that distinguishes wetlands from other bodies of water is the characteristic presence of aquatic plants adapted to the unique environment. Wetlands play an important role in the environment, including water purification, water storage, processing of carbon and other nutrients and stabilization of shorelines. Wetlands are also home to a wide variety of plant and animal life. This wetland was photographed at Bowerman Basin in the Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge near Hoquiam, Washington State, USA.

Wetlands are an important ecosystem that are permanently or seasonally dominated by water. The primary factor that distinguishes wetlands from other bodies of water is the characteristic presence of aquatic plants adapted to the unique environment. Wetlands play an important role in the environment, including water purification, water storage, processing of carbon and other nutrients and stabilization of shorelines. Wetlands are also home to a wide variety of plant and animal life. This lone tree with its fall foliage was photographed by a wetland at the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge near Los Banos in Merced County, California.

Wetlands are an important ecosystem that are permanently or seasonally dominated by water. The primary factor that distinguishes wetlands from other bodies of water is the characteristic presence of aquatic plants adapted to the unique environment. Wetlands play an important role in the environment, including water purification, water storage, processing of carbon and other nutrients and stabilization of shorelines. Wetlands are also home to a wide variety of plant and animal life. This lone tree with its fall foliage was photographed by a wetland at the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge near Los Banos in Merced County, California.

Willapa Bay is the second-largest estuary on the Pacific Coast and home to a vibrant, diverse tideland ecosystem. Willapa Bay was recently designated as a Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network of International Importance. Willapa Bay is also home to the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge which includes Long Island. This old wooden shack was photographed from Jensen Point on Long Island in the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge, Washington State, USA.

Cirrus clouds appear in a blue sky over Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge near Trout Lake, Washington State, USA.

The American Wigeon (Mareca americana), also called a baldpate, is a medium sized dabbling duck found in North America. The breeding male, or drake, has a mask of green feathers around its eyes and a cream-colored stripe running from the top of its head to its bill. The hens are much less distinctive with gray and brown plumage. Both males and females have a pale blue bill with a black tip, a white belly, and gray legs and feet. It nests on the ground, under cover and near water, laying 6–12 creamy white eggs. The American Wigeon is migratory, breeding in all of North America except the extreme far north. Wintering areas include the Central Valley of California, Washington’s Puget Sound, the Texas Panhandle and the Gulf Coast of Louisiana. This American Wigeon female was photographed while swimming in a wetland at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge near Olympia, Washington State, USA.

The Green-Winged Teal (Anas carolinensis) is a common and widespread North American dabbling duck. It breeds in the northern areas of North America and winters in the far south of its breeding range. This is the smallest North American dabbling duck. The breeding male has grey flanks and back and a chestnut head with a green eye patch. The females are light brown, with plumage much like a female mallard. The teal’s habitat is sheltered wetlands where it feeds by dabbling for plants or grazing. They will occasionaly eat mollusks, crustaceans or insects. It nests in depressions on dry ground, under cover and near water. This pair of green-winged teal was photographed while feeding at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge near Olympia, Washington State, USA.

The Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) is a large wading bird common near open water and wetlands in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and the Galápagos Islands. It is the largest of the heron family native to North America. Blue herons are distinguished by slate-blue colored flight feathers, long legs and a long neck which is curved in flight. The face and head are white with black stripes. The long-pointed bill is a dull yellow. The great blue heron is found throughout most of North America from Alaska through Florida, Mexico, the Caribbean and South America. East of the Rocky Mountains herons are migratory and winter in the coastal areas of the Southern United States, Central America, or northern South America. Great blue herons thrive in almost any wetland habitat and rarely venture far from the water. The blue heron spends most of its waking hours hunting for food. The primary food in their diet is small fish. It is also known to feed opportunistically on other small prey such as shrimp, crabs, aquatic insects, rodents, small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and birds. Herons hunt for their food and locate it by sight. Their long legs allow them to feed in deeper waters than other waders are able to. The common hunting technique is to wade slowly through the water and spear their prey with their long, sharp bill. They usually swallow their catch whole. The great blue heron breeds in colonies called rookeries, located close to lakes and wetlands. They build their large nests high up in the trees. This heron was photographed while hunting in Puget Sound at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge near Olympia, Washington State, USA.

The Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) is a small American migratory songbird. One of the first specimens of this bird was collected in Savannah, Georgia, thus the name. This songbird has its breeding grounds in Alaska, Canada, northern, central and Pacific coastal United States, Mexico and Guatemala. The Pacific and Mexican birds are resident and other populations are migratory. They winter from the southern United States across Central America and the Caribbean to northern South America. The Savannah sparrow has a dark-streaked brown back and breast and white underparts. These sparrows forage on the ground for seeds and insects. This Savannah sparrow was photographed singing while perched on a sign at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge near Olympia, Washington State, USA.

The Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata) is a dabbling duck that uses its large spatulate bill to feed from the water. Flocks of shovelers often swim in circles with their big bills barely submerged straining food rather than shoveling it as their name implies. This male Northern Shoveler was photographed at Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge near Olympia, Washington State, USA.

The Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) is a large wading bird common near open water and wetlands in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and the Galápagos Islands. It is the largest of the heron family native to North America. Blue herons are distinguished by slate-blue colored flight feathers, long legs and a long neck which is curved in flight. The face and head are white with black stripes. The long-pointed bill is a dull yellow. The great blue heron is found throughout most of North America from Alaska through Florida, Mexico, the Caribbean and South America. East of the Rocky Mountains herons are migratory and winter in the coastal areas of the Southern United States, Central America, or northern South America. Great blue herons thrive in almost any wetland habitat and rarely venture far from the water. The blue heron spends most of its waking hours hunting for food. The primary food in their diet is small fish. It is also known to feed opportunistically on other small prey such as shrimp, crabs, aquatic insects, rodents, small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and birds. Herons hunt for their food and locate it by sight. Their long legs allow them to feed in deeper waters than other waders are able to. The common hunting technique is to wade slowly through the water and spear their prey with their long, sharp bill. They usually swallow their catch whole. The great blue heron breeds in colonies called rookeries, located close to lakes and wetlands. They build their large nests high up in the trees. This heron was photographed while hunting in Puget Sound at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge near Olympia, Washington State, USA.

The Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) is a large wading bird common near open water and wetlands in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and the Galápagos Islands. It is the largest of the heron family native to North America. Blue herons are distinguished by slate-blue colored flight feathers, long legs and a long neck which is curved in flight. The face and head are white with black stripes. The long-pointed bill is a dull yellow. The great blue heron is found throughout most of North America from Alaska through Florida, Mexico, the Caribbean and South America. East of the Rocky Mountains herons are migratory and winter in the coastal areas of the Southern United States, Central America, or northern South America. Great blue herons thrive in almost any wetland habitat and rarely venture far from the water. The blue heron spends most of its waking hours hunting for food. The primary food in their diet is small fish. It is also known to feed opportunistically on other small prey such as shrimp, crabs, aquatic insects, rodents, small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and birds. Herons hunt for their food and locate it by sight. Their long legs allow them to feed in deeper waters than other waders are able to. The common hunting technique is to wade slowly through the water and spear their prey with their long, sharp bill. They usually swallow their catch whole. The great blue heron breeds in colonies called rookeries, located close to lakes and wetlands. They build their large nests high up in the trees. This heron was photographed while hunting in Puget Sound at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge near Olympia, Washington State, USA.

The American Wigeon (Mareca americana), also called a baldpate, is a medium sized dabbling duck found in North America. The breeding male, or drake, has a mask of green feathers around its eyes and a cream-colored stripe running from the top of its head to its bill. The hens are much less distinctive with gray and brown plumage. Both males and females have a pale blue bill with a black tip, a white belly, and gray legs and feet. It nests on the ground, under cover and near water, laying 6–12 creamy white eggs. The American Wigeon is migratory, breeding in all of North America except the extreme far north. Wintering areas include the Central Valley of California, Washington’s Puget Sound, the Texas Panhandle and the Gulf Coast of Louisiana. This American Wigeon female was photographed while swimming in a wetland at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge near Olympia, Washington State, USA.

The Canada goose (Branta canadensis) is a large goose with a black head and neck, white cheeks, white under its chin, and a brown body. It is native to the arctic and temperate regions of North America. This goose is flapping its wings at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge near Olympia, Washington State, USA.

The Green-Winged Teal (Anas carolinensis) is a common and widespread North American dabbling duck. It breeds in the northern areas of North America and winters in the far south of its breeding range. This is the smallest North American dabbling duck. The breeding male has grey flanks and back and a chestnut head with a green eye patch. The females are light brown, with plumage much like a female mallard. The teal’s habitat is sheltered wetlands where it feeds by dabbling for plants or grazing. They will occasionaly eat mollusks, crustaceans or insects. It nests in depressions on dry ground, under cover and near water. This male green-winged teal was photographed while walking in the mud at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge near Olympia, Washington State, USA.

The American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) is a small member of the heron family. It is an uncommon resident of the Pacific Northwest and very hard to spot because of their natural camouflage and shy tendencies. This close-up of a bittern was photographed at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge near Olympia, Washington State, USA.

The Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata) is a dabbling duck that uses its large spatulate bill to feed from the water. Flocks of shovelers often swim in circles with their big bills barely submerged straining food rather than shoveling it as their name implies. This male Northern Shoveler was photographed at Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge near Olympia, Washington State, USA.

The Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) is a large wading bird common near open water and wetlands in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and the Galápagos Islands. It is the largest of the heron family native to North America. Blue herons are distinguished by slate-blue colored flight feathers, long legs and a long neck which is curved in flight. The face and head are white with black stripes. The long-pointed bill is a dull yellow. The great blue heron is found throughout most of North America from Alaska through Florida, Mexico, the Caribbean and South America. East of the Rocky Mountains herons are migratory and winter in the coastal areas of the Southern United States, Central America, or northern South America. Great blue herons thrive in almost any wetland habitat and rarely venture far from the water. The blue heron spends most of its waking hours hunting for food. The primary food in their diet is small fish. It is also known to feed opportunistically on other small prey such as shrimp, crabs, aquatic insects, rodents, small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and birds. Herons hunt for their food and locate it by sight. Their long legs allow them to feed in deeper waters than other waders are able to. The common hunting technique is to wade slowly through the water and spear their prey with their long, sharp bill. They usually swallow their catch whole. The great blue heron breeds in colonies called rookeries, located close to lakes and wetlands. They build their large nests high up in the trees. This heron was photographed while hunting in Puget Sound at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge near Olympia, Washington State, USA.

The Great Egret (Ardea alba), also known as the common egret is a large, widely distributed egret, found in Asia, Africa, the Americas, and southern Europe. Distributed across most of the tropical and warmer temperate regions of the world, it builds tree nests in colonies close to water. Like all egrets, it is a member of the heron family. Except for its white color, the great egret is similar in size and appearance to the great blue heron. Like the great blue heron, the great egret feeds in shallow water or drier habitats. Its diet consists of fish, frogs, small mammals, and occasionally small reptiles and insects. It hunts for its prey by slowly stalking and then standing still and allowing the prey to come close. The great egret uses its long bill as a spear to stab its prey. This great egret was photographed while hunting in the water at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge near Olympia, Washington State, USA.

The Canada goose (Branta canadensis) is a large goose with a black head and neck, white cheeks, white under its chin, and a brown body. It is native to the arctic and temperate regions of North America. This goose is standing on a small island at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge near Olympia, Washington State, USA.