Distinctly Montana Magazine

W W W. D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA NA . C O M 23 NINEPIPE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE/ PABLO NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Ninepipe is one of the best places in the state to practice your wa- terfowl identification. Each spring snowmelt from the Mission Moun- tains fills in hundreds of prairie pot- holes, attracting diving and dabbling ducks. ere are many places to explore around the refuge but a drive down Ninepipe Road along the back of the largest pond offers the best view to see Northern Pintails, American Wigeons and Canvasbacks. Summer is a great time to observe short-eared owls in the surrounding fields as they practice their aerial mating acrobatics. A male will plum- met in flight clapping his wings on the way. Fall can bring in over 200,000 migrants. Stand at the edge of the pond and listen as the air fills with a cacophony of calls. Rough- legged hawks come through in the winter. Identify them by their light head and black slash along the eye line. If you feel you still need to practice distinguish- ing a Barrow from a Common Goldeneye, head 28 miles north to Pablo NWR. Pablo mainly consists of one very large pond and has less visitors than Ninepipe. Follow the unpaved road along a portion of the pond to see Ruddy Ducks and Gadwalls. LOCATION: 55 miles north of Missoula along Highway 93 TIPS FOR PHOTOGRAPHING BIRDS 1. BE PATIENT. Running after a bird is never a good idea. Locate a good habitat and stand still. The birds will eventually come to you. 2. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE EARLY MORNING AND EARLY EVENING. Not only are birds more active at this time but it is also your best opportunity to capture the best light. 3. LEARN BIRD BEHAVIOR. Knowing when Bald Eagles will likely be on the nest, how Northern Harriers hunt and the flight pattern of Barn Swallows will help you with the timing and compo- sition for the best shot. 4. SET YOUR CAMERA TO SHOOT CONTINUOUSLY AND ON THE FASTEST SPEED. Most birds don't stay still or stay in the same place for very long. You might have just one chance to cap- ture the perfect shot so be ready. 5. ZOOM IN. You may admire the flock of Red-winged Blackbirds flitting among the field of cat- tails but it won't equate to a good photo. A close-up of one bird in song on one cattail will make for a much more interesting shot. For more information on how to get involved in birding visit Montana Audubon's website at www.mtaudubon.org. Find one of the nine chapters near you, learn about the many conserva- tion projects taking place around the state and locate even more birding hotspots. Sunset over Ninepipe Northern Pintails White Pelicans in the Pablo National Wilderness Refuge Rough-legged Hawk CHUCK HANEY CHUCK HANEY CHUCK HANEY CHUCK HANEY

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