a specific refuge for information. Most
national wildlife refuges protect migrat-
ing waterfowl but also allow hunting
during migration, so be adaptable.
While some refuges offer permanent
blinds, all allow movable blinds: your car.
Working from your car is often the best
option for migratory waterfowl photogra-
phy. The refuges typically have a one-way
driving loop to reduce auto traffic. The
birds are accustomed to cars, and you can
photograph from your driver-side window.
You need telephoto lenses to isolate birds
for portraits or individual behavior, and
using a bean bag or window tripod mount
helps stabilize your equipment.
Migratory waterfowl visit national
wildlife refuges during migration. For
most refuges on the Central or Pacific
Flyways, October through December is
a great time to visit. Bosque del Apache,
near Socorro in New Mexico, is a water-
fowl photographer’s dream. Tour route
roads are wide enough to pull off to pho-
tograph and not block other vehicles.
Waterfowl and songbird populations can
explode during late fall and winter with
huge sandhill crane populations (and a
whooping crane or two). The cotton-
woods can also be spectacular at this
time, offering a landscape photo break.
The Sacramento NWR complex near
Willow, California, is a major stopover
point on the Pacific Flyway for Canadian,
greater white-front and snow geese, and
various duck species. A photo blind is
available by reservation. Using your car
as a blind on the auto tour routes can be
very rewarding.
East Coast photographers should check
out J.N. Ding Darling NWR near Fort
Myers, Florida. There is an excellent auto
tour route for car blind photography. You
can also walk the dike roads looking for
subjects. Many of the birds are year-round
residents, with many tropical species.
Nesting is common at the refuge, and great
blue herons are often seen with young and
can easily be photographed from your car.
Don’t overlook state and local wild-
life areas. South Padre Island on the
Texas coast has a Birding and Nature
Center with boardwalks over the tidal
flats and native plant areas surrounding
water sources. South Padre is a major
stopover point for migrating warblersA western diamondback rattlesnake
strikes a green jay, one of the most
interesting animal interactions I have
ever witnessed.Mother and baby javelinas at Martin
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