This afternoon I headed out to Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary. The purpose of this visit was volunteering, helping out with visitors on the trails.
On arriving I was informed of an incident that happened yesterday. Someone was actually trying to take ducks from inside the sanctuary. As shocking as this may sound, it has happened before. Previously it has been people in the parking lot trying to abscond with them. This is the first time I have heard of them being taken inside on the trails. I can only speculate that they would be destined for the dinner table. A Conservation Officer was informed and is following-up.
On the brighter side, it was a lovely afternoon for all that visited today. The crowds were not that large. While fairly quiet on the birding front, there was a nice assortment of shore birds present including the Stilt Sandpipers. There were also over a dozen Sandhill Cranes visiting along with the resident family of three.
I came across another visitor looking for dinner on the way out at the end of the day.
This Peregrine Falcon had been busy on the out ponds earlier hunting shore birds.
It was difficult trying to get a view as I had to shoot through branches.
Fortunately I had somewhat of a clear shot when it was stretching and fanning its feathers. It stayed on this high perch and continued surveilling the ponds.