A Winter Drive through Ridgefield NWR
A winter drive through the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge offers a quiet ride through the beauty of the winter season. As you follow the auto tour route, the landscape reveals itself in muted tones, where the gray skies and damp earth create a soft, backdrop for the local birds.
You’d think that the refuge were a sanctuary of stillness this time of year, but instead the air is often filled with the distant, whistling calls of various species and the rhythmic flapping of wings over the marsh. From the warmth of the car, you can see the subtle shifts in the wetlands—the way the frosted grasses lean into the wind and the sight of Great Blue Herons standing like statues among the flooded fields. It is a peaceful way to observe the resilience of nature, finding wonder in the slow, steady pulse of a winter afternoon.
Some visits you hit the jackpot, spotting species that cause you to slam the brakes and fumble your camera settings. Other days, the birds are tucked away in their hiding places and all the refuge offers is a peaceful ride through nature. Either way, it’s a win-win.
