Happy Thankful Thursday!

 Happy Thursday!

 I am continuing with my throwback photos of our visits to various National Wildlife Refuges around the USA.  I found out due to shortages of workers at the wildlife refuges, many of the wildlife refuges are lumped together and called a complex. A complex can consists of up to 7 or more wildlife refuges in one area of a state. A refuge complex could possibly only have a few part time or full time workers.  If you visit, you might want to check to make sure it is not closed for hunting and or maintenance. Visitors centers maybe closed due to COVID but the wildlife drives and trails are open.

 

I have so many photos, I had to break up the post. With these COVID times, we are not traveling. I am thankful to share some archived photos, I hope you enjoy. I am thankful for all these wonderful memories hubby and I have while traveling.

 

1.  I am starting off this post with  our visit to New Mexico, we were able to visit 2 wildlife refuges. This first one is called Bitter Lake NWR, not far from Roswell New Mexico. Below are the Sandhill Cranes, refuge sign, possible Lesser Goldfinch, Pied-billed Grebe, Loggerhead Shrike, White Pelicans with ducks and more Sandhill Cranes.

Click on photos for larger viewing....

 

 

 

Bitter Lake NWR this is a link to my original visit and post.

 2. While on the wildlife drive we saw the migrating Sandhill Cranes, ducks, geese and many other species of birds. Pretty view of the refuge located where the Chihuahuan Desert meets the Southern Plains and wetland area of the Pecos River watershed.

Bosque Del Apache NWR link to original post and photos.

3. This refuge is located in San Antonio New Mexico. This was one of my favorite refuges in New Mexico, the birding was great. I actually saw a Mountain Lion crossing the wildlife drive, my first time seeing this critter. Below are the Sandhill Cranes, top right is the Road Runner a lifer for this trip, Gambel's Quail lifer, White-crowned Sparrow, Marsh Wren, Snow Geese, Northern Harrier and Killdeer.

4. Sunset at the Bosque Del Apache NWR , flock of blackbirds with the Cranes.
 

 

 

 Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge   a link to my original post and photos.

5. This refuge is located in the Finger Lakes region near Seneca New York. Below are sightings from the wildlife drive the Purple Martins, Great Egrets, Canada Geese, Red-wing Blackbirds, Bald Eagle, Northern Shoveler duck, Pied-billed Grebe, Great Blue Heron, Tern, Gadwall ducks, DC Cormorant, Song Sparrow, Mallards, unknown Sandpiper and lots of turtles. 

 

Pea Island NWR  my original post and photos.

6. This wildlife refuge is located in North Carolina at the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Pea Island is one of 9 refuges that make up the North Carolina Coastal Refuge complex.  Below are the Great Egret, Double-crested Cormorants, White Pelicans, Swan, Ruddy Ducks and a Eastern Meadowlark.

 

 

 

 7.  Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge,  Oak Harbor Ohio. My visit here was a quick.  I was on a trip  with a couple of birding friends to Magee Marsh in Ohio. Magee Marsh is a famous spot for spring time birding. My friends and I drove the Ottawa NWR wildlife drive, visited their visitor center, we saw the Bald Eagles, Egrets, deer and the White-crowned Sparrow.  

 

Cape Meares NWR  My original post and photos

 

8. Oregon, one of my favorite states to visit. Hubby and I drove up and down the Oregon coast. Along one section of the coast is the Cape Meares National Wildlife Refuge, part of the Three Arch Rocks, Oregon Islands NWR complex. Nesting seabirds include the Common Murre, Pigeon Guillemots, Pelagic Cormorants and the Black Oystercatcher.  The Cape Meares Lighthouse is actually part of a state park, the surrounding area is the wildlife refuge.

9. A view of one of the islands, covered with nesting seabirds.

 

John Heinz NWR   original post and photos

10. This mosaic is photos from our visit to John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge in Tinicum Township Pennsylvania. It is not far from Philadelphia PA. 

Included below the boardwalk trail at the wildlife refuge, views of the wetlands, turtles, ducks, marsh wren and flowers.

Savannah NWR South Carolina my original post and photos.

Now down the east coast to South Carolina, we were able to visit 2 national wildlife refuges in this state. We have been to the Savannah NWR and Pinckney Island NWR. 

11. Savannah NWR photos below lots of turtle with alligator, lots of alligators, Glossy Ibis, White Ibis, Green Heron, Great Egret with the Snowy Egret. Part of the Savannah NWR is in South Carolina and part is also in Georgia. We have been to both, the wildlife drive and the visitor center.

 

Pinckney Island NWR  My original post and photos.

 

12. Pinckney Island NWR South Carolina near Hilton Head SC .

 Below, Eastern Blue Birds, Common Moorhen, Great Egret, Little Blue Heron, Pied-billed Grebe, Great Blue Heron, White Ibis with gator and Phoebes.

 

I will have one more post to finish off my National Wildlife Refuge visits.  I am thankful to enjoy all my moments with hubby.  Thankful for the joy of seeing wildlife.

Go outside and breathe deeply.  Enjoy every moment. 

Take care and stay safe! 


Live simple and be happy!  😊 Keep smiling!

Thank you Martha for hosting Throwback Thursday 

Thank you Michelle for hosting Thankful Thursday. 
 

Thank you to Yogi the host of   Skywatch Friday
 

Thank you to Jutta the host of Nature Thursday

Thank you for visiting and for your nice comments on my previous post. Have a happy day!!  😊