
Archive for the ‘National Wildlife’ Tag
Natural Color Leave a comment

Few sights evoke the American West more than the saguaro cactus, found only in the Sonoran Desert. Saguaro National Park, close to the urban center of Tucson, Arizona, protects these majestic cacti. At the park, you can hike through fantastic desert scenery year-round. Sunset photo byDavid Olsen. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 12/16/16.
Valley Vista Leave a comment

As you enter Zion National Park from the east, Mt. Carmel Highway offers spectacular views and ever changing landscapes as you zig-zag your way down into the park’s canyon. Ian Barin captured this pic from above the winding road at sunset this past June. Photo by of Ian Barin. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 9/21/16.

Stretching from the Maine coast to inland forests and dotted with lakes and marshes, Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge welcomes 300,000 nature enthusiasts a year. Exploring miles of trails from dawn to dusk, visitors can observe wildlife and take in the beauty of nature all while honoring the memory of world-renowned marine biologist, author and environmentalist Rachel Carson. Photo by Judy Grabowicz. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 8/8/16.

Established in a high valley tucked into the Allegheny Mountains, Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge in West Virginia preserves almost 17,000 acres of forest and wetlands. The Blackwater River meanders through this rugged and gorgeous landscape, supporting an impressive variety of wildlife. The refuge is a great place for fishing, hiking and, as you can see, photography. Photo by Frank Ceravalo, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 8/10/16.
Oh, That View Leave a comment

Settlers on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula tried for decades to tame the land. It was logged, burned, drained and farmed, but in the end, nature beat them all back. A peace was found in 1935 when Seney National Wildlife Refuge was established. Now, over 95,000 acres provide habitats to migratory birds and other wildlife. Visitors can explore on foot, bikes, and by kayak, spotting birds and taking incredible pictures like this one. Photo by Dawn Kopp. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 10/14/15.

Just 12 miles west of Las Vegas, the colorful, bare sandstone of the aptly named Rainbow Mountain Wilderness emerges from the valley floor – standing guard over the surrounding pinyon-juniper forest and Mojave Desert scrub below. Its sheer, towering red and white cliffs are cut by rugged, narrow, twisting canyons lined with willow, ash and hackberry trees. With wispy clouds pouring over the mountains, it is quite a view. Photo by Bob Wick. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 10/20/15.
Fall Leave a comment

Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge in Maine is a great place to find peace and connect with nature on a quiet stroll, catching glimpses of bird and bunnies in the woods and on the beach. Open in all seasons, the refuge is always welcoming — but it’s especially amazing in the fall. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 10/10/15.

Alaska’s Lake Clark National Park in the fall. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 10/3/15.

Check out the fall colors from Denali National Park with termination dust – the first snowfall that sticks to mountain tops and signals that winter is coming – visible on the Alaska Range in the background. The white of snow will rule the land until spring’s distant arrival. Photo by Michel Hersen. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 10/7/15.
Desert Beauty Leave a comment

The 97,880-acre Eagletail Mountains Wilderness is about 65 miles west of Phoenix, Arizona, in Maricopa, Yuma and LaPaz counties. The wilderness includes 15 miles of the Eagletail Mountains ridgeline and Courthouse Rock to the north, Cemetary Ridge to the south, and a large desert plain area between the two ridgelines. Several different rock strata are visible in most places with natural arches, high spires, monoliths, jagged sawtooth ridges and numerous washes six to eight miles long. Recreation such as extended horseback riding and backpacking trips, sightseeing, photography, rock climbing and day hiking are enhanced by the topographic diversity, scenic character, size – as well as the botanical, wildlife, and cultural values of the area. Photo by Bob Wick. Tweeted by the U Department of the Interior, 9/8/15.

Here’s a dramatic shot of sage steppe desert at Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge in Wyoming. Nicknamed the sagebrush sea, the sagebrush landscape spans 11 western states. While this landscape might look like a barren desert, the sagebrush steppe is home to more than 350 wildlife species, including elk, pronghorn, golden eagles and the sage grouse. http://on.doi.gov/1Kt9AlY Called an indicator species, the sage grouse provides biologists with an early warning about the state of other species that call the sagebrush home. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 9/23/15.