Ripley’s—Believe it!
For four days last week I was in the beautiful Litchfield Hills area of Connecticut. I spent as many hours outdoors as possible exploring the many trails in this stunning part of CT. In addition to exploring nature trails I had the good fortune to have booked 4 hours privately at the Ripley Water Fowl Conservancy. I had known nothing about this incredible organization until I had been preparing and researching for my trip. On their website there was a section for photographers so of course I immediately checked it out. I was absolutely floored - they offer 4 hours of private time for up to 3 photographers (or of course non-photographers) to book either from 8-noon or noon-4:00 Mon-Thur. It is open to the public on Friday, Saturday and Sundays.. I immediately clicked on the calendar and staring right at me was Tuesday morning from 8-noon available - I couldn’t book it fast enough! :)
A little about the Ripley Water Fowl Conservancy (information directly from their website - ripleyconservancy.org).
Dr. S. Dillon Ripley “ Considered to be one of the twentieth century’s outstanding figures in ornithology and wildlife conservation, S. Dillon Ripley began building a collection of waterfowl in Litchfield, Connecticut, when he was a teenager in the 1920’s.
After earning a PhD in Biology, he became a professor of Ornithology at Yale University and served as Director of Yale’s Peabody Museum of Natural History. In 1964, Dillon became the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, leading the Institution through its period of greatest growth and expansion.”
Dr. Ripley was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1985. “Dillon and his wife, Mary Livingston Ripley, an entomologist, were partners in most activities and recognized the potential for their waterfowl collection and preserve to become a valuable conservation resource.”
I strongly encourage you to take some time to look through their website to learn much more about this incredible organization (ripleyconservancy.org).
Not all birds at the conservancy are endangered and not all are waterfowl. There are many reasons that the various birds from around the world are in their care.
“Our mission is to preserve rare and endangered waterfowl species through research-driven captive breeding and rearing techniques. We strive to maintain genetic diversity for responsible re-introduction into the wild.”
And from their section “Why Birds” -
“Birds also provide a less tangible service-lifting our sprints with their songs and beauty. Many of us are involved with saving land but imagine if that land becomes empty and silent. A world without birds would be a world facing trouble in many ways, caring for these species is caring for the world.”
Before I begin with sharing photos with you - a couple of more things to know. On the day before my Ripley outing I was out exploring and I realized that I hadn’t packed my knee pads. I knew that I would absolutely need them for Tuesday as I would have opportunities to get down low and as close as I will ever get to these species. I know quite of few of you have ordered flowers from White Flower Farm for your gardens or have had the pleasure of actually going to their beautiful farm in Litchfield, CT. Lorraine used to order from them and in fact bought me my pair of knee pads which I have used countless times while photographing birds at the Cape. I immediately put in my GPS White Flower Farm - and I was only 8 minutes away! Off I went to their Farm store and was thrilled to see knee pads hangng on the wall just as I walked in. My one and only purchase at White Flower Farm - priceless to me! :).
The other thing to know is that I had help with this post. I met Bre Fleet the morning that I arrived at the Conservancy. She is not only a genuinely warm person but also incredibly knowledgeable and helpful. She is totally committed to the mission of the Ripley Conservancy. It was truly a pleasure to meet her personally and I look forward to seeing her again when I go back. Once I got home and downloaded lots of bird photos I knew I needed help identifying them. It was very hard for me to photograph all of these birds and to also write notes while trying to capture these birds in the best light possible. Bre and I had a phone call this week so that she could help me ID the birds for today’s post. Any and all mistakes are mine! Bre will let me know if I have still managed to mis-identify any of the bird species that I share with you. I will say that I was totally exhausted after my 4 hours there with lots of that time on my knees - but it was a very good exhausted. I can’t wait to go back.
I have been trying to make this blog post for you for 3 days and have been having a lot of technology issues with this program. So…. I have been only able to add 7 photos for this post. Since I want to get this post to you and hopefully I will be leaving you with wanting more - I will go ahead and post with only these 7 photos and will be back in touch with more as soon as I am not fighting with this program!
It is now time to come along with me - (I am not able to type after the last photo - one of the ongoing glitches this week). I hope that you all enjoy these stunning birds!
As I walked up from the parking area to the Conservancy I immediately heard a cacophony of bird calls like no other! What an amazing way to start the day. I continued on and was walking past the Conservancy’s office (because of course I was early) when all of a sudden I heard the booming hoot of an owl! Now this hoot was unlike any that I have ever heard - when I say booming - I mean booming! I immediately walked towards the hooting to find this massive owl in one of the enclosures - just hooting away! I do a decent amount of reading about owls and thought this just might be an owl that I thought I would never see in my lifetime. Two things happened at once - Bre came up to me to introduce herself and the rising sun just lit up the owl’s eyes! I immediately took these images as Bre confirmed what I thought I was seeing - a Eurasia Eagle Owl!
Eurasia Eagle Owl -
One of the largest owls in the world! Wingspan up to 6.5 feet and they stand up to 2 ½ feet tall - they are massive! This guy is a special case - He is there as an Ambassador for the owl species. He has been helping to educate and excite many, many visitors about owls and why they are so important and special. He is found throughout Europe, Asia and North Africa.
Edward’s Pheasant - also known as the Vietnam Pheasant.
Critically endangered species - found primarily in Central Vietnam. I know that we are all rooting for this species and all species….
African Pygmy Goose - It is called a goose because of its goose-like bill. It is the smallest of Africa’s waterfowl and one of the smallest in the world.
Mandarin Duck - Needless to say you know how excited I was already seeing the first few birds… and then to spot this! The Mandarin Duck is there to help teach about waterfowl in China. Thankfully they are listed in the Least Concern category, but… their population is declining.
Demoiselle Cranes - the smallest species of Cranes. Just like the Sandhill Cranes that I share photos and stories about with you - these cranes are also monogamous and mate for life. This next fact is absolutely incredible…. they are the highest flying migrants - they fly over the Himalayan Mountains! They are found in central Eurosiberia. They are listed as Least Concern.
Because I can’t type below the last photo - here is the scoop. It was so exciting for me to see a Bufflehead mixed in one of the pond enclosures. I have absolutely loved seeing Buffleheads while at the Cape. They are so fast and they are America’s smallest diving species. I can never get close enough to them to try and capture the tops of their heads when the light hits just right - which then shows off their beautiful iridescent colored head. Thankfully the Buffleheads are listed as Least Concern. They are at Ripley’s as a way to show a local connection to a stunning species that many people might not have known to look for while at our shores.
I was on my knees for a very long time… just willing it all to come together for a chance to get the shot I have been dreaming of…. and it finally did!
I look forward to sharing so much more with you from Ripley’s and other incredible places in the Litchfield Hills. Bre - thank you for all of your help! I look forward to talking with you again for another Ripley post!