Nisqually National Wildlife Area
Nisqually National Wildlife Area, Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge is located on the Interstate 5 corridor, 20 miles south of Tacoma Washington and 8 miles east of Olympia in the Nisqually Valley.
The area is not easily missed when driving on the highway – the vista opens up and the estuary leading to South Puget Sound is visible on the north side of the interstate.
We were camping not to far this wildlife refuge. This is one of the first things we look for when we are in a new area and this was only 10 min from our campsite.
An amazing place for sure, board walks throughout the area and photographers every where. It was so much fun to see so many people carrying tri pods and cameras. Everyone being quiet so we don’t spook the birds.
This is where I photographed this Red Breasted Sap Sucker below.
A fox hiding in the grass.
This big old barn was on the refuge, maybe it was a farm at one point. This barn is huge and there are two of them here. I do like the old barns. They just don’t build them like that anymore.
This was the location I spotted my first Rufous Hummingbird as well. This park is over 3000 acres and we walked a lot of it. But I do hope to go there again to see more of the 200 species of birds that stop there during migration.
Nisqually National Wildlife Area
38 Replies to “Nisqually National Wildlife Area”
I love all the pictures Sandra. I’ve never seen a Sapsucker and never seen a fox. I also like the rustic barn. It sounds like an enjoyable day.
It was so sun Linda, and there were so many photographers out there all carrying tripods and cameras. Fun to see all the other birders.
“Birds of a feather” as the saying goes … meeting fellow birders while admiring the birds.
Wonderful photography! 👍
Thank you very much 😊
My pleasure 😁
I have a hummingbird feeder in my backyard but I haven’t gotten a good photo, well done!!
They is a great way to photograph these fast birds by having a feeder. I do that as well. 😊
Your work is always inspiring
Thank you very much, I appreciate you saying that. The world is such an inspiring place when we get out there and explore.
Such an amazing bright color bird. Great image. Anita
Thank you Anita, both birds are so colorful. It was fun to see them and photograph them. 😊
Good photos.
Thank you very much Peter.
Stunning shots, Sandra! We are going to visit our first ever wildlife refuge in New Mexico in a few weeks, and I’m so excited. I know I won’t find anything like what you found at Nisqually, but I wonder what winter on the refuge will look like.
You will so enjoy it Kellye, some refuge areas have board walks and places to just sit and enjoy the birds and other animals. I always look for them when we are traveling. Some of the birds will be coming back across from the south soon.
This naturalistic area is a true marvel
It was a treasure to find, I could stay there all day.
Such a special place and the humming bird!!
It was so exciting to see a different hummingbird. It is a great place to see wildlife.
Great photos ! And I love the barn !
Thank you Sandra
Have a wonderful day
Thank you very much Francine, and a wonderful day to you also 😊
Great Hummingbird shot, stealing from the Sapsucker holes 👏👏
Yes, they were both right in the same area. It was fun to see a different hummingbird.
I grew up in Washington and the Nisqually area is a stunning gem. Makes me homesick.
It was quite something Pam, I hope to go there again, I bet they get more birds that I may not have even heard of.
beautiful photos.🌼
Nice bright color!
They sure were fun to see, they are new birds to me. 🙂
What a lovely place to bird Sandra. Love the color in the sap sucker and hummingbird. Our bird watching clubs often have noisy people chatting, which is why we go quietly birding alone.
Yes, it was such a beautiful place and lots of boardwalks. It was quiet in the morning when we got there and then a school bus of children were dropped off. That changed everything 🙂
You should also do a painting of that barn, Sandra.
Yes, that barn will be perfect as a painting. It is probably the largest barn I have ever seen.
Beautiful photos, I love Hummingbirds! I have a Hummer feeder in my backyard which they love all winter so far.
That would be nice to see them all year long. I am waiting for them to come back from their long trip from migration.
Isn’t it amazing that these tiny birds can travel so far! I love them. ❤️