Images in the Backcountry Blog » Merced NWR

Reflecting Tree at Sunset

Mike Matenkosky — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 20:51:53 +0000

Reflecting Tree at Sunset

I’ve been wanting to drive out to the Merced National Wildlife Refuge for a few months now. I knew most of the water has drained and the birds have left for the season, but I also know other birds stay all year. Since Sarah really loves Owls, we all took a drive to see what we could see. The kids also like it there because mommy lets them “drive”.

Unfortunately we didn’t see any Owls on this trip. As Hannah was “driving”, I saw a small patch of water reflecting the tree. I told them to stop so I could compose a few photos before the light vanishes. Just wish the mosquitoes were not so bad. Next trip I’ll have to pack some bug-repellent!

Sunrise at the Merced NWR

Mike Matenkosky — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 23:47:23 +0000

I haven’t visited the Merced NWR since October, I thought I’d take a drive and see how the conditions were. My “mission” was only to see how the pools were filling up and if I happen to take a few pictures along the way, it’s icing on the cake. With that in mind, I got up at 5:30AM Saturday so I could possibly photograph a nice sunrise…if the conditions were right.

I was a bit disappointed from the lack of water. Doesn’t look like anything changed in almost 2 months. I do hope they continue to fill the pools with water.

Despite the low water, I “managed” to photograph the sunrise and spilled my coffee in the process. Thankfully it spilled on the ground and not in the van or on the camera.

I was happy to see (and photograph) a Black-crowned Night Heron…a first for me. I had to remove my teleconverter to be able to compose the Great Egret 10 feet away from me…another first. Usually for me, those guys fly way before I get close enough. Got a few shots of a White-faced Ibis as well.

All and all, I would say it was a good morning and hope to get back soon.

An Evening at the Merced NWR

Mike Matenkosky — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 22:52:06 +0000

I haven’t driven out to the Merced National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in over 6 months. I figured it was time to make the short trip and see what was happening. As I figured, the pools are starting to fill again and the Snow Geese and Ross’ Geese have returned. Since I had a late start and I saw some interesting clouds, I decided to focus my attention on capturing some landscape shots.

I was hoping to see water in the pools around the Bittern Marsh Trail, but there wasn’t enough water yet, so settled for the viewing platform. As you can see, we had a great show!

You can see the Geese on the first image.

And as always, never pack until it’s black…

Merced NWR 3-24-10

Mike Matenkosky — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 20:48:08 +0000

It about a month since I’ve been out the Merced NWR. I normally stay until sunset, but since the time change and because the kids are done before sunset, I only stayed for a short time. One of the pools are now dry, the Geese are gone too. I found several Killdeer to be cooperative, but still had to shoot this from the window.

Killdeer

Saw a Great Blue Heron fishing in on of the ponds. Tried to get a better background but he started moving behind the reeds.

Great Blue Heron

Saw a rare “Giraffa mylarii” too!

Merced NWR with Dave

Mike Matenkosky — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 19:01:05 +0000

This post is a bit late, but that night I started to get chills/sick, so I went to bed. Anyway, I’m still ‘kicking’, other than a nagging cough (again). Dave Miller wanted to visit the Merced NWR and since I practically live there, well maybe just once a week, I was the unofficial guide for the day. We met at Denny’s in Atwater under a blanket of fog….go figure. We drove out to the refuge and I hopped in to his car and made the loop. The conditions could be better, so as we ended the loop we made another loop, this time I drove. By that time the fog was starting to burn off and we got some better photos, at least he did. We decided to not drive over to the San Luis NWR so we parted. I went back home and set up my ‘Matenkosky NWR’ and Dave drove the loop again!

Dave

Black-necked Stilt

Cooper’s Hawk – My first!

Back at the ‘Matenkosky NWR’ – Dark-eyed Junco

White-crowned Sparrow

Merced NWR – Bittern Marsh Loop at Sunset

Mike Matenkosky — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 03:08:14 +0000

I wanted to try and find a new place to photograph the Merced NWR for sunset. Since the rangers filled the Bittern Marsh Loop with water this season, I figured I’d give it a try. I’ve hiked this loop in the past, so I knew there was a nice little bridge there. Once I got there, I couldn’t find a good spot to photograph the water, clouds and the approaching sunset. I had to move quickly to find another spot before the colors disappeared. Ever see how fast a ‘crippled’ guy can run? I found a suitable location and captured one of the most awesome sunset series from Merced NWR so far!

Bittern Marsh Trail

Bittern Marsh Loop at Sunset

Panoramic View of Bittern Marsh Trail at Sunset

A Swainson’s Hawk & Great Egret – Merced NWR

Mike Matenkosky — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 05:57:46 +0000

This week I had hoped for a great sunset this evening because we had a rain storm last night. Unfortunately it never happened. I was able to capture a Swainson’s Hawk on one of those ‘AREA CLOSED BEYOND THIS SIGN’ signs. Oddly I have been trying to get a shot like this for the past 4 years. He flew away, right past my open window, but I wasn’t fast enough.

Saw this Great Egret as he was crossing the road. He flew away and turned towards my van! I got one shot…

Merced NWR – 12/16/09

Mike Matenkosky — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:50:54 +0000

This is starting to be a habit now. Every Wednesday my kids have gymnastics practice for 4 hours. I drop off the kids and my wife at the gym and I head out to the Merced NWR just before sunset. My goal this time was the very back pond, near the ‘Bittern Marsh Trail’. I had to hustle.

I set up on a small “island” and waited for sunset. I took a few photos, but I started seeing flocks of Sandhill Cranes. I re-set my camera from slow shutter speed to a somewhat higher speed and got this one.

Thinking I was done as the colors were fading, I packed up and started to drive the rest of the loop. Near the last section, paralleling highway 140, I started noticing a reddish tint on some of the clouds and fog was starting to form. Should I drive like a mad man to the platform (there’s water) or do I shoot here? I decided to shoot here since I’m not very good at running! Quickly unpacked the tripod and camera and got this.

Great Blue Heron at Merced NWR

Mike Matenkosky — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 08:00:05 +0000

I’ve been trying to capture a Great Blue Heron (GBH), close up, for some time now. Every time I get closer they fly away. Yesterday I drove out to the Merced NWR, just because. Didn’t plan on getting anything, not even a sunset photo as there were no clouds. I just thought I’d drive the loop anyway. I see this guy sitting along the road….waiting for something. Since it was after sunset, lighting was getting bad, but who cares, right? As I usually do, I take a few photos, move closer (in the car) etc. I got pretty close….I was happy! I thought I’d try and get out of the van and get closer. Keep in mind I have to sit and scoot on my butt because of my legs. I got a few more shots and he flew away.

Random Pictures from the Merced NWR

Mike Matenkosky — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 07:43:18 +0000

Took another trip out to the Merced NWR on Wednesday afternoon. The water is receding, but there’s still lots of shorebirds to see.

“Squirrel on a Stick”

“Striking a Pose”

“White-faced Ibis”

“Drifting Clouds”