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Borrego Springs, CA

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge

IMG_3862Emma and I headed out before 8:00 this morning so we would have a better chance of seeing the wildlife at the refuge in the early morning light.  Ha!  It turns out we could have slept in until noon (like that would ever happen:)).  The only wildlife we saw was one covey of California quail quickly dashing across the road in front of us.  :(
IMG_3864This is one of the few views we had of 9000 acre Lake Lowell.  The refuge encompasses the lake and a small strip of land surrounding it.
IMG_3866As you can see, most of the lake is surrounded by agricultural ranches, and the city of Nampa borders it’s eastern side.  The 30 mile auto tour route takes you around the perimeter of the lake using roads that are not on refuge property.  How odd is that?

Fully one half of the auto tour is on a road named Lake Shore Drive.  I guess I’m not very bright because by that name I assumed you’d see the shore of the lake.  Not so.  All you see are trees on one side and agricultural fields on the other.  For being known as a birding hotspot, I was sorely disappointed.  Of course, the brochure did say that the best time to come to the refuge is from September through December.  Waterfowl has not begun to migrate yet, and the water is still too high for the supposed mud flats teeming with shore birds.  This would be a great place if you had a boat, as I don’t know how else you’re going to see anything.
IMG_3867Oh well, it was a nice drive in the cool morning air.  We were back to the rig by 10:30, and have been hibernating in the AC ever since.  The last I checked the thermometer, it was 98*!

Thanks for stopping by….talk to you later,  Judy

14 comments:

  1. Sometimes I think we get our hopes up for something special...and get disappointed...Have you ever been to the Cabreza Prieta Wildlife Refuge in Aho, AZ??? Google it...It is HUGE...and they make you call before you go in, and call when you come out...You could be lost and no one would ever know..no cell phone service!! I still enjoyed your great photos!!

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  2. I can see why your are disappointed, but that golden grass IS beautiful!

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  3. Thank you for the review! We enjoyed the pictures. :)

    Thanks!

    The Freely Living Life Family

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  4. More great pictures Judy. I love the pictures of the fields.

    One time when we take a drive here we will see lots of animals and the next time not a single one. Stay safe.

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  5. It amazes me how you can find such beauty amidst what sounds like a temporarily desolate area. You definately have an eye for seeing exceptional beauty in all things. K

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  6. There is always beauty of some sort around us, but when you think you'll see something really special, it can be disappointing. Sorry you didn't see all of the wildlife you'd hoped, but your pics were lovely anyway!

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  7. I really think Craig will like the life. He is a great hibernator! If the world would let him, he would sleep until ten and read the rest of the day!

    I'm bit more of a morning person, but he has corrupted me.

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  8. Oh my God!! We are almost neighbors!///We loved the Ajo area...hope to get there next year, but there are lots of issues this year....We did Charlie Bell Pass at the Prieta...UNBELIEVABLE!!! Keep us in the loop!!

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  9. I guess sometimes we have to adjust what we expect to what we get. Never the less, you found such a beautiful, peaceful place to surround yourself in and enjoy. Your pics are just gorgeous.
    When we were at Hagerman NWR there was a private road that we had to travel on to get to one of the areas of the refuge. The road kinda separated the refuge and one of the refuge roads was in front of ranches. Interesting!

    Mike & Gerri (happytrails)

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  10. Looked pretty good to me! Nice photos as usual.

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  11. To co-op another saying, the worst day in the field is better that the best day at work. Great pictures of what I am sure was an enjoyable day in the field.

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  12. As you know, Murphy's Law is a difficult one to deal with. Had you left your camera behind you might have been swamped with wild life. Remember, with each footstep, is a thousand photographs/

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  13. Not much wildlife but you did get some wonderful photo's.

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