Winter get together anyone? -- SEE PLAN in the thread.

We could have a post-holidays, "Chill Out and Chat" get together or a "Get Chilled Shootout" if anyone is interested. I was thinking either out at the coast or one of the rivers around the Chehalis, Woodland, Ridgefield area; also Ridgefield NWR might be good, judging from Craig's latest shots. And I bet he knows of a good place to warm up after. ;-)
Please let me or Steve know what sounds good.

I'd be interested. Any of those areas would be cool with me.

Thanks, Catherine.

I would be interested. Do you have a date set yet?

l might be able to, depending on the date. Things are pretty crazy until mid-January for me, though.

Definitely interested. Nisqually might be an option in between Seattle and Portland...also, there's a great bar/restaurant in downtown Ridgefield. Excellent beer and French Dip sandwiches.

For landscape photography, the rivers around the towns you mentioned sound great.

Cheers,
David

I'm certainly up for excellent beer and french dip sandwiches!

Okay, great! Now then: what's a good day for everyone?

This Saturday or Sunday is very short notice but same weather as we've been having. Foggy --> sunny/hazy and cold.
Next weekend? A bit warmer and a bit wetter (0.02 inches rain forecast– doesn't sound too bad...).

Whut'cha all think?

This weekend is too soon for me. Anytime after the New Year would work.

My weekends are unbooked after the first of the year.

I can make either weekend on the 4th or the 11th work for me...

Okay. Let's meet at Ridgefield visitor center on Sat. 1/11 at about 8:00. We'll do a leisurely loop and then head out for some landscapes and river scenery. I'd appreciate it if one of you would suggest good locations for that part– somewhere within easy reach of Ridgefield. We'll work in the French dip and beer, too.

SNOW will cancel for me, but those who wish to may certainly continue with outing!

Sounds good to me, Catherine. I'm not familiar with that area, where do I find Ridgefield visitor center?

Take the Ridgefield exit off the freeway, follow the signs to NWR and turn in. You'll cross a one-lane bridge and shortly on from that are restrooms bldg and bulletin board and pay station. That's the spot. Look forward to seeing you, Don.

Thanks, see you there.
Anybody else going to show?

I'll be there. Sounds like fun.



We'll be meeting at the River "S" Unit.
The cost is $3 per vehicle.


To get to the refuge, take the Ridgefield exit from I5 and head west.
Turn left on S. 9th Avenue/Hillhurst road.
Turn right into the refuge and follow the dirt road down to the train tracks and one way bridge. The visitor center is just after the bridge on the left.

Here's a link where you can get directions:
http://www.fws.gov/ridgefieldrefuges/ridgefield/Driving.html

Also, here's a printable map of the refuge:
http://ridgefieldfriends.org/visit-the-refuge/printable-map/


I'm not sure about landscape settings around Ridgefield...

Looking forward to seeing you all there.
Cheers,

I'll be there. Should be fun.

I will there too. If anyone i the Seattle area wants to car pool, I'm willing to drive and take up to 3 with me.

Oh, my friends…, the weather forecast for Saturday is DISMAL-- "downpours of rain and windy." I'm not going to call off the outing for those who might want to still go, but I am going to withdraw from going and see you all another time-- begging your pardon and asking for mercy for gathering a group and then quitting it. For those with more fortitude for foul weather, who go anyway, please do show us your pics-- IF you can find birds or landscape not hiding from the weather!
The next one I call for will be for ocean STORM WATCHING, in which case I'm sure we'll get nice calm, dry weather…

I'm sorry to say I'm also going to be a no show. The rain wouldn't stop me but the heavy winds predicted... Sorry but I'm going wimp out.

Well, I don't have quite as far to go as Steve and Catherine, so I think I'll consider it an educational experience and give it a try. I've never tried photographing birds in this kind of weather-it should be interesting. PS I'll be driving a white Tundra pickup with contractor's canopy.

I'll chance it also. See you there, Dennis. I'll be driving a dark red Tacoma with a canopy.
I haven't done bird photography, so it'll be a new experience for me (rain or shine).
See you at 8:00 am.

Dennis, Don: glad you're still going to give it a try! Be careful out there and get some great shots to show us.

I saw your message, Don. See you there.

Well, Don White and I braved the elements and found some decent light now and then and some quite cooperative birds. There was a tree across the road just past the blind which caused us to turn back and gave us a chance at a Great Egret and a Red-tailed Hawk (ah, serendipity!). By the time we got back to the entrance, they'd removed the tree and we were able to make the round. David's suggested restaurant lived up to his billing (at least the burger and fries I had. But watch out-the default burger is 1/2 lb-a bit much for my aging stomach. They'll replace with 1/4 lb with $1.00 off, on request. Here are a couple of images.

I'm no landscape photographer, but here's some of the light we had (suitably modified in Photoshop

Here's the Great Egret.

And her's John looking for some sun rays through the clouds.

As Dennis stated, we braved the elements with a mixture of rain, wind and sunshine. All in all it wasn't really that bad. This was my first time to try birds, just wished I had a longer lens. Probably will try and stick with landscapes. Here a few of my images.

First image shows that there is a lot of dead thistles still standing.

Here's one that I think Dennis said was a Red Tail Hawk.

Another shot of a Heron. I think he caught something for lunch.

And, of course, we have Dennis with his "Canon".
Thanks for meeting with me, Dennis.
Hope we meet again someday.

Well done, and good show!

Great bird shots from both of you, but really... the most entertainment for me was the contrast in gear, and still, fun shots from both.

Kudos, guys!

I'm glad you guys could make it. Good shots too! Sorry I missed it. I'm amazed you had some sun, especially the blue sky behind the hawk. Good job!