Given the weather of late there were not a lot of people at Reifel this afternoon when I showed up to help out on the trails. For those that were, there was a little break in the skies and some sunshine. The morning walk had seen the Red-breasted Sapsuckers, but not the Bohemian Waxwings. So I started off down the east dyke trail to try for the Sapsuckers again.
Still no luck, but one of numerous Golden-crowned Sparrow did strike a pose for me. I then headed off to the centre dyke trail in search of the Waxwings to no avail. Then back to the east dyke where I struck out again for the Sapsuckers.
As a consolation I did get this young Raccoon which trotted across the trail. I spent the rest of the afternoon on the inner trails still looking for the Waxwings or anything else interesting that might turn up. The clouds had now rolled in and it was around 4 pm and getting dark. I was making my way back along the east dyke trail when something got my attention.
Finally one of the Red-breasted Sapsucker. Only problem was having to shoot at ISO 6400 and f2.8 at a 60th of a second. Fortunately this shot turned out not too bad. It usually takes a cold snap like we are seeing right now to push these woodpeckers down to this area. As the cold is expected to continue, hopefully they stick around and provide a chance for a better photo opportunity.
