Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge

Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge

Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge was established on April 22, 1935 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

World Water Day 2023

By |2024-02-02T05:37:24-07:00March 22nd, 2023|Categories: Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Box Elder County, Centennial Valley, Conservation, Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge, Florida, Glacier County, Glacier National Park, Juab County, Montana, Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, Sawgrass Lake Park, Summit County, Utah, Wasatch Mountains|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Today is World Water Day. The theme for World Water Day 2023 is: Accelerate Change. Every human being on this planet is roughly 60% water.

Colorful Twilight Sky

By |2021-09-12T05:45:49-06:00September 12th, 2021|Categories: Beaverhead County, Centennial Valley, Montana, Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

I don't have much to say today and all I really wanted to do was share this photo of a colorful twilight I took at Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge about 6 years ago.

World Wetlands Day 2021

By |2024-03-13T04:38:39-06:00February 2nd, 2021|Categories: American Bitterns, American Coots, Bald Eagles, Barn Owls, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Black-crowned Night Herons, Blue-winged Teals, Brewer's Blackbirds, Centennial Valley, Cinnamon Teals, Common Checkered-Skippers, Common Mergansers, Conservation, Eight-spotted Skimmers, Environment, Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge, Florida, Fort De Soto County Park, Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets, Greater Scaups, Green-winged Teals, Halloween Pennants, Hooded Mergansers, Least Sandpipers, Lesser Scaups, Long-tailed Weasels, Marsh Wrens, Montana, Moose, Muskrats, Northern Harriers, Northern Pintails, Northern Shovelers, Pectoral Sandpipers, Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, Red-breasted Mergansers, Red-winged Blackbirds, Reddish Egrets, Redheads, Ruddy Ducks, Rusty Blackbirds, Sandhill Cranes, Scarlet Skimmers, Snowy Egrets, Spotted Sandpipers, Tricolored Herons, Trumpeter Swans, Tundra Swans, Utah, Variegated Meadowhawk, White-faced Ibises, Wildflowers, Wilson's Phalaropes, Yellow-crowned Night Herons, Yellow-headed Blackbirds|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

February 2nd is World Wetlands Day to raise global awareness about the critical role of wetlands for people, wildlife and our planet.

All Storms Come To An End

By |2023-03-22T07:01:23-06:00November 12th, 2020|Categories: Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Beaverhead County, Box Elder County, Centennial Valley, Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge, Juab County, Montana, Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, Utah, West Desert|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

There are times when I feel as if I am riding out a storm due to circumstances or events that are out of my control I remind myself that all storms come to an end. 

In Every Sunset There Is A Promise And A Gift From Nature

By |2021-09-12T04:27:39-06:00August 23rd, 2020|Categories: Beaverhead County, Centennial Valley, Montana, Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Throughout my life I have liked to think that every sunset has a promise and a gift from Nature in it. The promise that the sun will rise again in the morning.

Black-headed Grosbeak in the Wasatch Mountains

By |2022-05-27T13:42:59-06:00July 5th, 2020|Categories: Beaverhead County, Birds, Black-headed Grosbeaks, Centennial Valley, Montana, Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, Summit County, Utah, Wasatch Mountains|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

I was happy that I decided to photograph the striking Black-headed Grosbeak instead of the Downy Woodpecker that was at least forty feet in front of me.

Female Brown-headed Cowbird In A Serviceberry

By |2022-03-14T17:28:44-06:00June 17th, 2020|Categories: Beaverhead County, Birds, Brown-headed Cowbirds, Centennial Valley, Montana, Morgan County, Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, Savannah Sparrows, Utah, Wasatch Mountains|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Three days ago one of the birds that the Song Sparrows chased off was an adult female Brown-headed Cowbird that landed on a serviceberry in front of me.

It Has Been Five Years…

By |2023-05-01T05:27:46-06:00May 2nd, 2020|Categories: Beaverhead County, Birds, Centennial Valley, Milestone, Montana, Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, Short-eared Owls|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

That is one thousand eight hundred and twenty-seven posts about birds, wildlife, flowers and the incredible scenery I see out in the field.

Swainson’s Hawk Chicks, Sub-adult And Adults

By |2021-03-09T04:18:29-07:00March 31st, 2020|Categories: Beaverhead County, Birds, Box Elder County, Centennial Valley, Clark County, Idaho, Montana, Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, Swainson's Hawks, Utah|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

These are the life stages of the Swainson's Hawks I see, observe and photograph here in Utah, Idaho and Montana.

Early Franklin’s Gull at Bear River MBR on March 6, 2018

By |2021-06-19T04:31:46-06:00March 6th, 2019|Categories: Antelope Island State Park, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Beaverhead County, Birds, Box Elder County, Centennial Valley, Davis County, Franklin's Gulls, Montana, Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, Utah|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , |

While I had the Sandhill Crane and the Ring-billed Gulls in my view finder I heard a call and it only took a second for my brain to figure out that I was hearing a Franklin's Gull which surprised me because it was at the refuge much earlier than I have ever seen one there before.

Adult Sandhill Crane At The Edge Of A Summer Storm In Montana

By |2022-07-14T05:06:56-06:00February 4th, 2019|Categories: Beaverhead County, Birds, Centennial Valley, Montana, Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, Sandhill Cranes|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

I was drawn to this photo because of the light on the Sandhill Crane and the grasses it was foraging in plus how that contrasts with the dark shadows on the mountains behind the bird.

My Photographic Journal Featured in the University of Montana’s Crown of the Continent and Greater Yellowstone Magazine

By |2023-12-03T02:53:45-07:00July 16th, 2018|Categories: Beaverhead County, Centennial Mountains, Centennial Valley, Montana, Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge|Tags: , , , , , , , |

I typically don't announce publication of my work on my website but I am so honored to have my work included in Crown of the Continent and Greater Yellowstone e-Magazine that I decided to share this with my family, friends and all of the people who view my site.

Young Wildlife – Moose, Marmot, Pronghorn, Red Fox and Wild Horses

By |2024-03-13T15:50:07-06:00May 2nd, 2018|Categories: Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Beaverhead County, Box Elder County, Centennial Valley, Clark County, Idaho, Montana, Moose, Mustangs, Pronghorn, Red Foxes, Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, Targhee National Forest, Tooele County, Utah, West Desert, Wild Horses, Wildlife, Yellow-bellied Marmots|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Spring is the season of birth and rebirth, the leaves of trees unfurl, the dormant grasses and forbs poke up through the ground, flower buds burst open and flowers in all the colors of the rainbow appear on the landscapes, birds nest and incubate and wild animals give birth to their young.

Photos Of Owls In Flight

By |2023-12-12T13:36:03-07:00April 3rd, 2018|Categories: Antelope Island State Park, Barn Owls, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Beaverhead County, Birds, Box Elder County, Burrowing Owls, Centennial Valley, Davis County, Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area, Montana, Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, Short-eared Owls, Utah|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

I spend a lot of time in the field looking for, observing and photographing owls and obtaining photos of them in flight can often be frustrating when I have the opportunity but very fulfilling when I accomplish my goal.

Public Lands Under Fire – Just Think About It

By |2017-12-07T06:26:15-07:00December 7th, 2017|Categories: Beaverhead County, Centennial Valley, Daggett County, Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, Montana, Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, Utah|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

Like to fish? Hunt? Watch wildlife? Recreate on public lands? Then think real hard at what the reduction of existing national monuments mean and the precedent that might be set.

Blooming Gardner’s Yampah in Southwestern Montana

By |2017-09-25T05:53:47-06:00September 25th, 2017|Categories: Beaverhead County, Centennial Valley, Montana, Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

Earlier this year in July I spent some time in the Centennial Valley of southwestern Montana where I photographed this Gardner's Yampah near Elk Lake.

I Stop For Coots Any Time I See Them

By |2021-12-14T04:08:45-07:00September 17th, 2017|Categories: American Coots, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Beaverhead County, Birds, Box Elder County, Centennial Valley, Davis County, Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area, Montana, Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, Salt Lake County, Utah|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

I've written before that I love American Coots and I guess that will never change, I will stop for coots any time I see them, I will photograph them and enjoy their antics.

Up close with a Tree Swallow at Red Rock Lakes NWR

By |2021-03-23T09:08:39-06:00July 27th, 2017|Categories: Beaverhead County, Birds, Centennial Valley, Montana, Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, Tree Swallows|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |

While stopped at a gate at Red Rock lakes NWR a Tree Swallow flew in and landed on a fence post so close that I wasn't sure I was going to be able to focus on it but I had to try.

Centennial Valley Savannah Sparrow

By |2022-03-14T17:39:50-06:00July 26th, 2017|Categories: Beaverhead County, Birds, Centennial Valley, Montana, Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, Savannah Sparrows|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

Some of the birds I see often while at the Lower Lake of Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in Montana are Savannah Sparrows and I love to photograph them there.

Spring Songs – Savannah Sparrows

By |2022-03-14T17:45:13-06:00March 20th, 2017|Categories: Beaverhead County, Birds, Centennial Valley, Montana, Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, Savannah Sparrows|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , |

On my last two trips up to Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge I have heard Savannah Sparrows singing "sit sit sit sit suh-EEEEE say" from somewhere in the marshes.

I’m Itching To Hit The Road To Go Camping – Spring Wanderlust

By |2017-08-21T07:25:11-06:00March 3rd, 2017|Categories: Beaverhead County, Burr Trail, Capitol Reef National Park, Clark County, Idaho, Montana, Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, Utah, Wayne County|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |

As the weather warms up I admit that I'm itching to hit the road to go camping, to get away from the city, the news and to immerse myself in natural surroundings.

Progress versus Growth

By |2017-01-30T07:46:40-07:00January 30th, 2017|Categories: Antelope Island State Park, Beaverhead County, Centennial Valley, Coyotes, Daggett County, Davis County, Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, Montana, Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, Utah|Tags: , , , , , , |

There are some that say the state can better care for those lands. I'd call them fools but we humans are all distant cousins so I'll tame that down a bit and call them misled instead. Intentionally and deliberately misled.

Looking at 2016 in the Rear View Mirror or My Photographic Year in Review

By |2024-03-05T06:08:04-07:00December 31st, 2016|Categories: American Bitterns, American Pipits, Bald Eagles, Barn Owls, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Beaverhead County, Belted Kingfishers, Birds, Box Elder County, Burrowing Owls, Centennial Valley, Clark County, Davis County, Double-crested Cormorants, Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area, Great Horned Owls, High Uintas, Hybrid Geese, Idaho, Leucistic, Montana, Peregrine Falcons, Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, Red-naped Sapsuckers, Red-tailed Hawks, Salt Lake County, Short-eared Owls, Summit County, Targhee National Forest, Tooele County, Turkey Vultures, Utah, Wayne County, Western Bluebirds, Wilson's Phalaropes, Woodhouse's Scrub-Jays, Yellow-bellied Marmots|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Wow, today is the last day of the year 2016. This is my photographic year in review from Utah, Idaho and Montana!

Sunrise ~ Sunset

By |2016-12-11T07:34:01-07:00December 11th, 2016|Categories: Beaverhead County, Centennial Valley, Florida, Fort De Soto County Park, Montana, Pinellas County, Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge|Tags: , , , , , , , |

I feel worried for the future and I am filled with angst right now and I know I am not alone. However; I do know that even when times are difficult life is good. The sun rises after every sunset.

2000 Posts about Birds, Wildlife and Nature at On The Wing Photography

By |2016-12-07T12:05:24-07:00November 20th, 2016|Categories: Antelope Island State Park, Beaverhead County, Birds, Box Elder County, Centennial Valley, Coyotes, Davis County, Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area, Florida, Fort De Soto County Park, Golden-silk Spiders, Great Blue Herons, Montana, Pinellas County, Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, Short-eared Owls, Utah|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Today I am celebrating having published 2000 posts on birds, wildlife and nature at On The Wing Photography and sharing the stories behind the images along with the journeys I take to find my subjects.

Perched Sub-adult Swainson’s Hawk in Low Light

By |2021-03-31T14:44:46-06:00September 10th, 2016|Categories: Beaverhead County, Birds, Centennial Valley, Montana, Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, Swainson's Hawks|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , |

I've been meaning to post images of this sub-adult Swainson's Hawk in low light for about a year now and I am finally getting around to it.

Killdeer Chicks at Red Rock Lakes NWR

By |2024-03-18T19:18:04-06:00July 20th, 2016|Categories: Beaverhead County, Birds, Centennial Valley, Killdeer, Montana, Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Killdeer chicks are precocial and active soon after hatching and will leave the nest as soon as their down dries.

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