Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Ever since I discovered it, the Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge is my favorite place for wildlife photography. I visit frequently because it is a short drive from my house. This former military base has almost no buildings, only dirt roads past the parking lot, and is relatively unknown. It is one of several refuges at the confluence of the Potomac and Occoquan rivers. These refuges were created to provide habitat for bald eagles and migratory birds. I often find it deserted or nearly empty of people. The best time to go is at dawn on frigid winter days. The cold keeps the people away so the animals are more likely to be active instead of hiding. Two pairs of bald eagles nest there. Non-resident eagles are frequently there. Ospreys show up every April to nest, and they depart in September. Herons, geese, ducks, turkeys, hawks, gulls, and other birds are present. Deer, foxes, turtles, beavers, and rabbits live there too. I've even seen coyotes there. Here's a representative sample of my photos from OBNWR.

The deer are pretty shy. I've seen them now and then, but they are wary, probably because of the deer hunts that happen each winter to keep the population down.

White-Tailed Deer

There are several platforms for ospreys to nest on. They also build nests in dead trees on the property. These birds are creatures of habit (as most birds are): they return to the same dead trees year after year. I've frequently seen these birds fishing close to shore, and this makes them among the easiest birds to photograph in flight because of their large size and close proximity to the shore. They arrive in early spring, nest, raise their young, and depart in September.

Juvenile and Adult Ospreys on Nest Platform

I have lots of shots like these, where the osprey flies over and stares at me.

Osprey

Osprey

My first ever sighting of a hawk happened right in front of one of the outhouses.

Hawk

This hawk (below) hung around for weeks in the same general location and he/she was surprisingly tolerant of my close approach.

Hawk

One of the two eagle nests is in a tree directly adjacent to a road. The Fish and Wildlife Service closes this road when eggs are there, but it's fair game to walk right up to the tree any other time.

Bald Eagle Nest

Here's the same tree with two young eagles in the nest with their parents close by.

Four Bald Eagles (2 Adults, 2 Juveniles)

Sometimes I'm treated to a flyby so close that I hear wings flapping.

Bald Eagle

And it's rare, but sometimes they tolerate a pretty close approach. This one just stayed there while I wandered around for several minutes trying to find a flattering light angle that allowed a head shot unobstructed by branches.

In No Hurry to Leave

The Fall colors can be really nice in morning sunlight.

Fall Colors

Last season there were two flocks of turkeys.

Wild Turkey

There's at least one beaver lodge on the property. I've seen them only a handful of times, usually swimming in the bay.

Beaver

This heron, like that hawk, hung around a particular spot for quite a while and tolerated my close approach.

Great Blue Heron

I nearly stepped on this snapping turtle because I was busy looking up in the trees for birds.

Snapping Turtle

It's pretty easy to find woodpeckers there. The noise gives them away.

Downy Woodpecker

Lots of bluebirds hang around the parking lot.

Eastern Bluebird

Cormorants come and go in the bay.

Cormorant Take-off

Surprisingly few snakes are there.

Water Snake

This pileated woodpecker had a band on its leg. There's an occasional bird banding activity there.

Pileated Woodpecker

The occasional great egret is a loner.

Great Egret

Rabbits are everywhere. The ticks love them.

Rabbit

And here's a rare dry turtle.

Turtle