Monday, October 12, 2020

Our World, My World

 Happy Monday

 Hello, I hope everyone is doing well.

A recent article titled Sanctuaries Under Strain in my latest Audubon magazine triggered this post. A wildlife refuge should be land set aside as a safe haven. A refuge for the birds to nest and refuel during migration. Now the refuges are losing workers, money and are open to more hunting.  So I started researching to see just how many National Wildlife refuges there are in the US. There are a total of 568 refuges, they can be found from sea to shining sea.  I wanted to see how many of these 568 refuges hubby and I have visited. LOL, I have NOT put a dent into visiting 568 refuges, some being in Puerto Rico and Somoa. The refuges in Alaska have the most land acquired by our government, land with no roads. California might have the highest number of refuges, Connecticut and Kentucky only have one each. Find a refuge to visit near you!


So my inquiring mind had to go through some of my archived photos and blog posts looking at all my visits to our great national wildlife refuges. I had to see which refuges are my favorites, you can see some of my visits on my label NWR on the side bar. I also googled which National Wildlife Refuges were listed as a favorite for other people and  which is best for bird watching. Listed as a few of the top ten wildlife refuges are St Marks NWR in Florida and Aransas NWR  and Laguna Atascosa NWR both in Texas. So now a long road trip (post COVID) could be in the plans for me. Planning is fun for me.

 Here are some photos and mosaics I created from my archived wildlife refuge photos.  I am starting by state in alphabet order.  

1. Colorado Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR, on the last day of our Sept 2014 trip we visited this refuge and drove on the wildlife drive. My photos include the GB Herons, the Bison, the cute Prairie Dogs and a White-tailed Deer.



2. Delaware has 2 National Wildlife refuges, the first one is my favorite Bombay Hook NWR. I have posted so much about Bombay Hook NWR, it is hard to choose favorite photos. My mosaic below shows lots of Great Egret, American Avocets, Bobolinks, Peregrine Falcon, Belted Kingfisher, Green Heron, Clapper Rail adult with chick, a Red Fox, more Egrets. 





3. Delaware Prime Hook NWR , views of Prime Hook wetlands, GB Herons, Ruddy Ducks and a Brown Thrasher.



4.  Florida is another state that has a lot of Wildlife Refuges. Some of my favorites are included like Merritt Island NWR. In the mosaic below are the Roseate Spoonbills, Belted Kingfisher, Little Blue Heron, American Avocets, Gulls,  a large gathering of White Pelicans, Spoonbills, Egrets and more, Reddish Egret and Pileated Woodpeckers.



5. Florida Ding Darling NWR , seen below are the White Pelicans, Roseate Spoonbills, Summer Tanager, Osprey, Yellow-crowned Night Heron, GB Herons, Egrets, Little Blue Heron and a Swallow-tailed Kite.

 

 


6. Florida Hobe Sound NWR . The beach and sky were beautiful, a few gulls and shore birds were around for our viewing pleasure.

 


7. Florida Lake Woodruff NWR: Bald Eagle, Osprey, Turkey Vultures, American Coots and an unkown Sparrow.



8. Florida Pelican Island NWR has a nice tribute to the National Wildlife Refuges, Their boardwalk includes a board each with a name of one of the National Wildlife Refuges. 

 


9. Maryland has 5 National Wildlife refuges, I have visited 3 of them. Two of the  Maryland refuges are closed to the public, only accessible by boat. 

Blackwater NWR in Cambridge Maryland is one of my favorite refuges in Maryland. You can see a great variety of birds there year round.  The Bald Eagles are a common sight at this refuge.

10.  Maryland the Eastern Neck NWR is located in Rock Hall Maryland. It is part of the Chesapeake Marshlands NWR complex. It is a great place in the winter months to see Bald Eagles, various ducks, Vultures, Gulls, Geese and the Tundra Swans.



11. Maryland the Patuxent NWR , this refuge has a great visitor center, the refuge includes a North, Central and South tract. The Central tract is where the offices and research center is located, the South tract is the visitor center and trails, they used to operate a tram on some of the closed trails. The North Tract has a little wildlife drive and trails. I have been on the tram ride, a night time Owl walk and on a tour to see the research center for the Sandhill Cranes. I am not sure but between funds being cut and Covid, the tram and Sandhill Crane  research have stopped.



12. New Jersey the Edwin B. Forsythe NWR is located  not far from Atlantic City NJ.  It is another one of my favorite refuges on the East Coast. I have seen many awesome birds, like the Rails , the Snowy Owl, Whimbrel, Brant Geese, Black Skimmers, Black Ducks, Northern Pintails, Teals, Mergansers, various Herons, Egrets, Terns and Gulls. In the winter the Snow Geese arrive in large groups, summer time is great for Warblers and shore birds.





This NWR subject is photo heavy so I will continue my National Wildlife Refuge post on my Thursday blog post. There may even be three blog post, due to way too many photos. 

 

I do love blogging about things I love or feel passionate about, like the wildlife and birds.  My hobby of birding can be done at home or while traveling. If I am passing by a wildlife refuge during my travels I do try to stop and visit the refuge. Have you visited any of the wildlife refuges, if so do you have a favorite?

What's happening in your corner of the world? Please check out and visit the following memes and links. I hope to see you there.


 
Thanks to Angie the host of  Mosaic Monday




Thanks to LadyFi  the host of Our World Tuesday!


Thanks for visiting and commenting, have a happy day and a great new week!




100 comments:

  1. Hari OM
    Eileen - these are fabulous!!! A labour of love for you and I look forward to seeing more. Have never been to any of your reserves stateside, of course; but plenty in Scotland and Australia - and even Africa and India! Such places are sacred in my view... YAM xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank You YAM!
      I would like to visit the wildlife preserves around the world.
      Have a great day and a happy new week!

      Delete
  2. There should always be protected areas for all that nature encompasses - wildlife, trees, and water - beautiful post Eileen.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Carol!
      Enjoy your day, wishing you a great week!

      Delete
  3. I have always thought that the very concept of calling somewhere a refuge and permitting hunting is a huge (and obscene) contradiction. It is a tragedy that the National Wildlife Refuges are being defunded and degraded. Teddy Roosevelt must be spinning in his grave. I have visited several NWR, and if I had to pick a favourite it would be a toss up between Laguna Atascosa NWR, Santa Ana NWR, both in Texas and Bosque del Apache NWR in New Mexico.



    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks David! The Texas NWR are on my wish list of places to visit. I have been to Bosque del Apache in New Mexico, it was great. Take care, enjoy your day!

      Delete
  4. Yes the must be sanctuaries.
    Happy Monday. Thanks fir dropping by my blog tiday Eileen

    Much💛love

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hello Eileen,

    Beautiful post! Many birds, animals, insects, flowers and plants need to be taken care of. I hope they will give more money to all of them you mention.

    Enjoy your day, and take care!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Marit!
      I hope they get the money and workers that they need.
      Have a happy day!

      Delete
  6. An interesting contribution to the protection of animals and nature. It is so important that they brood undisturbed and have a secure place between their trips. It is the same with me, but far too little is done and controlled and places are taken away.
    Thanks for this wonderful posting and I'm looking forward to the next one.
    I wish you a good week, hug Elke

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Elke!
      Yes, the wildlife needs these places to feel secure.
      Enjoy your day, have a great new week!

      Delete
  7. Thanks for sharing information and pretty pics.
    I particularly like the Belted kingfisher.
    We have numerous protected areas in Finland. People appreciate them.
    Have a great new week, Eileen!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for the visit and comment.
      Take care, have a great new week!

      Delete
  8. You absolutely sound like a great bird watcher and nature lover, and I also liked your attitude to visit refuges to show your support in preserving the wildlife! These are wonderful photos and collages from your various visits across the country!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Such beautiful pictures. I remember biking in Ding Darling years and years ago!

    ReplyDelete
  10. ...so many wonderful critters!!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thank you for useful list of wild life refuges across USA....
    I visited no "5. Florida Ding Darling NWR," ...an interesting place.

    Have a wonderful day

    ReplyDelete
  12. awesome information eileen. i enjoyed all of the photographs, but more than that, i enjoyed the information. i know this post must have taken a long time to put together and i want to acknowledge that and tell you i appreciate it!!

    i have never been to the one in new jersey, edwin b. forsythe and would love to get there one day!!

    today, i am praying for our black bears!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Debbie!
      I hope you get to visit Forsythe, they have a great wildlife drive.
      Are they hunting the black bears there, I know Maryland has a black bear hunt.
      Take care! Have a great new week!

      Delete
  13. What gorgeous memories! The closest one to us is the Pedimont in Georgia.
    What a great list.
    Dawn aka Spatulas On Parade

    ReplyDelete
  14. I have been to Ding Darling too. Florida has such good birding in the winter months.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you RedPat!
      I loved Ding Darling,we have been there a few times.
      Have a great new week!

      Delete
  15. Sch a wonderful post, Eileen! I know you put a lot of time into it with all these beautiful collages and info. I never knew there were so many wildlife refuges--and I'm so happy they exist. I am sad that this administration want to allow mining to take place in the Arctic Refuge in Alaska. I have been calling my senators about my opposition to that!
    In the almost 8 years we've lived in Colorado we have not yet driven over to see the RM Arsenal Refuge. I have to remedy that soon!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Pat!
      I was surprised there are so many wildlife refuges, not all open to the public.

      Have a great new week!

      Delete
  16. What a fantastic collection of photos Eileen! I would love to plan a little road trip one of these days to visit all of them here in Florida at least. Enjoy your travels :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Martha!
      Florida has some great wildlife refuges.
      Have a great new week!

      Delete
  17. Wow, Eileen, you have been to and documented so many wonderful refuges. No wonder we can count on you for helping us identify birds and other critters! I enjoy planning trips, too. I hope you can make it to those top rated refuges! Hope you have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
  18. So you're saying in order to complete your visits in Maryland, you need to get a boat? ;) Great memories. Thanks for sharing. Happy Day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Gayle!
      No boat needed, they are not open to the public.
      Have a great new week!

      Delete
  19. Hi Eileen :) I love your selection of refuge photos, I think the Colorado set is my favourite. We have a protected area near us called "the bog" by locals, unfortunately a lot of hunters go there during the 5-day moose hunting season, I think it's pretty sad.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Rain!
      I loved seeing the moose in the wild.
      Have a great new week!

      Delete
  20. You have found some great place and always gorgeous nature photography ~ Bravo!

    Live each moment with love,

    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Carol,
      Thank you for the comment!
      Take care, enjoy your day!

      Delete
  21. We recently watched a program on TV down here, " Hope for Wildlife" a place in Nova Scotia that takes in injured animals of all kinds. Sanctuaries, refuges, all so necessary, you have a fantastic lot of trips ahead, planning and researching will all be a huge part of your fun. I am always amazed at the boardwalks, so you can be further out and see so much more. Beautiful birds from the tiniest to those huge ones.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Jean, thank you for the comment!
      Take care, enjoy your day! Wishing you a great week ahead.

      Delete
  22. Your refuge photos are gorgeous. Hopefully you'll be able to add new ones to your list.
    Have a wonderful new week, Eileen.

    ReplyDelete
  23. You're right about Florida having them they are everywhere there are dozens of them and I think there may be dozens within driving distance of where I am but I have never been in one but my friend Diane has been in everyone that can be seen within a hundred miles in all directions. And it looks like you have really seen a lot of that long list we know what you'll be doing if we ever get through this covid-19

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Sandra!
      Yes, I hope to travel more when Covid is over!
      Take care, enjoy your day!

      Delete
  24. I enjoyed all your mosaic's and mentioned of the NWR's. I am lucky to have one so close to me. It's not a hot bed of wildlife, as the land that it encompasses had years of abuse prior to it being appointed as a refuge. Hunting is allowed at times and in certain locations. I have visited some of the refuges you highlighted...I like to get my passport stamped so I can keep track of the ones I have visited.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Sondra,
      The wildlife refuges are great places to visit and to see the birds.
      It is good to check ahead to see when the hunting is happening.
      Thank you for the visit and comment.
      Take care, enjoy your day!

      Delete
  25. There is so much to see in this post. The refuges in Florida are quite impressive.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Marie,
      Thank you for the comment!
      Florida is one of my favorite places to visit.
      Take care, enjoy your day!

      Delete
  26. wow, this is a great post. So many NWR:s but of course it is a huge country. You really have a lot to choose from I hope they will not be spoiled. It is important to keep them alive and well. There is lot of thing going on that might destroy habitats :(
    Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Monica,
      Thank you for the comment!
      Yes, the rollbacks of the environmental rules have a big effect on the habitats.
      Take care, enjoy your day!

      Delete
  27. There sure are some fine birds here...I never tire of seeing them. I think if I saw eagles every day, I would still feel a thrill when I seen one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Rose!
      It is a thrill to see an eagle.
      Take care, enjoy your day!

      Delete
  28. You have taken some amazing photos.

    I think my favorite NWR in Florida is the Merritt Island National Seashore ---especially the Black Point Drive. We have captured photos of some mighty big alligators along that trail.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Dee!
      Black Point Drive is one of my favorites.
      Take care, enjoy your day!

      Delete
  29. Thanks for the post.
    Beautiful photos.
    Greetings

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for the comment!
      Take care, enjoy your day!

      Delete
  30. Eileen - what a terrific inspiration for a post! You have been to so many refuges .... and ALL THOSE BIRDS. Wow! We are about to leave on a 13-day road trip - we'll see what refuges we encounter on the way. Wish me luck that we have the time to pull over for a look! Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Angie,
      Thank you for the comment!
      Enjoy your trip, safe travels.
      Take care, enjoy your day!

      Delete
  31. Hi Eileen,
    You have been to many beautiful places, you have seen so many nature reserves.
    The collages are really great.
    Have a good day and stay healthy.
    Greetings Irma

    ReplyDelete
  32. Replies
    1. Thank you for the comment!
      Take care, enjoy your day!

      Delete
  33. I suppose there must be at least one here in Belgium because it's such a little country I know that very close to us there is a "hospital" for wild animals which people find and bring there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Gatttina!
      The animal and bird rescues do great work.
      Take care,enjoy your day and week ahead.

      Delete
  34. Beautiful critters of all kinds. Thank you for hosting. Have a wonderful day.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Your world is always fascinating with wonderful photos ^_^

    Live each moment with love,

    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

    ReplyDelete
  36. Wonderful photos! Have a happy week!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Wow what a fabulous post and pictures. We have been to the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge in Washington and San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuge in Washington. Thanks for the refuge link.

    Hugs Diane

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Diane,
      Nisqually is one of my favorites too, we have been there twice.
      Thanks for the comment and visit. Take care, have a happy day!

      Delete
  38. What a wonderful collection of mosaics. You have taken numerous excellent photos of wildlife. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the comment and visit.
      Take care, have a happy day!

      Delete
  39. Arkansas National Wildlife Refuge is so near Corpus. A great area. Hope you get to see it sometime soon. (Come during the winter months for Whooping Cranes)

    ReplyDelete
  40. You have put together wonderful collages from the pictures in your archive - there is so much beautiful nature! I'm excited!
    In my blog there is one last summer review, but in the meantime I've returned from a short autumn hiking holiday. I will show the pictures of it soon ...
    Hugs Traude
    https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2020/10/summertime-2020-teil-4-august.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the comment and visit.
      Take care, have a happy day!

      Delete
  41. Replies
    1. Thank you William!
      Take care, have a happy day!

      Delete
  42. Fantastic! Love the bison and eagles in particular!

    ReplyDelete
  43. You are so lucky to have gone to so many places and taken such great pictures of wildlife. They pictures are quite diverse! Love to see animals from other places.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the comment and visit.
      Take care, have a happy day!

      Delete
  44. Great post, I got curious and Mr. google tells me that there are nine national wildlife refuges in Oklahoma and I have only been to two of them. There are three that I have not been to that are within an hour so I need to check them out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the comment and visit.
      I hope you get to visit the three refuges, I hope you can post photos from there too.
      Take care, have a happy day!

      Delete
  45. What an amazing post Eileen. Each refuge seems to have a distinct character of its own and it must be a joy visiting them. I love all your collages but I shudder to think how long it must take to put them all together. Great job :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the comment and visit.
      Take care, have a happy day!

      Delete
  46. what fun. great captures. well done. thank you for sharing. foggy morning today. i love it. great times. playing catch up. hope u r well this week. getting lots done around here. ( ;

    ReplyDelete
  47. Beautiful photos from your travels!
    Have a blessed day!

    ReplyDelete
  48. How wonderful Eileen! Such a great post! I remember visiting Bombay Hook thanks to one of your posts and it has been too long since we visited. I look forward to going again when things are settled, also to many of the other places you have recommended. Thank you so much and have a great day :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Denise!
      Bombay Hook is one of my favorite places to visit.
      Take care, have a happy day!

      Delete
  49. Replies
    1. Thank you for the visit!
      Take care, have a happy day!

      Delete
  50. I'm excited to see all of the ones you've featured in Florida. I should make a list of those we could see in a day trip. Thanks for sharing so many beautiful photos and links to find these. I love nature and was out this morning in the woods! Enjoy your day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Diane!
      Florida has some great parks!
      Take care, have a happy day!

      Delete

Hello, thank you for visiting my blog. I always appreciate your comments.

BTW, Anonymous comments unless a name is included will not be published. Also, comments with links will be deleted.

Have a happy day, Eileen

Happy Monday!

Wishing everyone a great day and a ha ppy new week! "Sometimes miracles are just good people with kind hearts." Rick's Cafe, N...