Morning mist at the Lower Lake of Red Rock Lakes NWR, Centennial Valley, Beaverhead County, MontanaMorning mist at the Lower Lake of Red Rock Lakes NWR – Nikon D300, f10, 1/500, ISO 400, Nikkor 18-200mm VR at 31mm, natural light

I took this photograph the first morning of my recent trip and wanted to share it now because today is the 9th Annual National Get Outdoors Day which promotes traditional and non-traditional outdoor activities and getting out onto our public lands including National Forests, National Parks and National Wildlife Refuges.

I spend a lot of my time on National Wildlife Refuges to photograph birds, wildlife, flora and the scenery and I enjoy my journeys to the refuges immensely.

I’m aware that not everyone can experience what I see and do at the refuges I visit but there are refuges in every state that might be nearby. I recommend getting out there and enjoying our public lands to everyone.

Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in southwestern Montana is among my favorite places to photograph not only the birds and wildlife but the great views that are found there.

Waking up and seeing the lake mist at the Lower Lake and an ephemeral pond near it with birds in the air, on the lake and feeding in the pond is amazing.

It is peaceful, relaxing and rejuvenating. And hearing Sandhill Cranes, Savannah Sparrows, Killdeer, Willets, Long-billed Curlews, Horned Larks and Yellow-headed Blackbirds at the same time is perfect.

I believe it is critical for all of us to protect our public lands for the birds, plants and wildlife that call those places home for the present and the future. We need those places too.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge photos.