Wildlife Refuge

Last year in November Kenny and I had such a fabulous time at the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge that we decided to make a return trip (a little earlier in the year this time) *grins*

Kenny had soccer practice after school, so we went ahead and ate dinner at home to save some moolah and then headed off to our hotel in Lawton. We had logged onto our trusty hotwire.com to get a deal on a hotel room, hoping and crossing our fingers that we'd get to stay at the same Holiday Inn that we stayed at last year. It was beyond amazing, SUCH a huge room! Well, we ended up with the Baymont Inn, it was still very nice, but Holiday Inn was my favorite *winks*

The next morning we got up super early, about 5:45 and got all showered and ready for a day of adventure. Luckily I had planned ahead and packed some hats and gloves because it was a little brisk! We put on all of our layers and were off!

I just love this sweet place. There are little winding trails and neat lakes and ponds, just truly in the heart of nature.
One of the first animals we happened across were these beautiful timid deer.
I just love the way they always look so soft and graceful. They perked up their ears when they heard us coming, but stayed still long enough for Kenny to snap these peaceful pictures.
You can really see a lot even from the comfort of your car, but we love to hike around and see some of the more remote areas. So I was pretty glad to have my gloves and hat and I made sure to have Kenny wear his hat too! (I'm not letting him get sick ever again *grins*)
We hiked off a little way and wound around into a thick forest area. One of the main reasons we came to the refuge THIS weekend was to hear the Elk bugle. It's a beautiful mating call that the male Elk do to claim their territory and call the ladies to them. So, we were being extra quiet and cautious when we heard the crackle of leaves and rustle of feathers and spotted this big clan of wild Turkeys!
Happy Thanksgiving! *laughs* It was hard to get a picture they were moving so fast!

We continued through the forest and up onto a rocky boulderish area that surrounded a lake.
The air was fresh and cool and there was barely any breeze, so quiet and peaceful and then... through the morning air we heard the majestic echoing bugle of a male elk. Wow, I nearly jumped for joy I was so excited! We were quiet and still and were able to hear it several more times! What an unforgettable moment!


Here's a video I found on you tube so you can hear it too! (be sure to turn your volume up)

We hiked back to the car and drove over to Hidden Lake. We sat on a fallen tree beside the water an just took in the scene. A huge Bison was up on the hillside grazing in the grass and the out on the water Kenny spied a Great Blue Heron (just like the one we've seen at Overholser Lake). He slowly raised his camera and caught this breathtaking reflection...

After leaving the waterside we drove around to the other side of the refuge and I spied some abandoned stone buildings. You remember my obsession with abandoned houses *laughs* so I convinced Kenny to stop and look around them.

Apparently they were built by the CCC in the 1930's and are now just a standing reminder of that time. You can find these pretty round stones all throughout the refuge.

Another pretty lake had this neat boat dock protruding out into the water...
This lake had a dirt path that wound around it, so we hiked a couple miles around the lake and saw these nifty lily pads
There were remnants of flowers that I can only imagine in the summer were huge and stunning!

Kenny spotted this cliff side "chair" naturally carved in the rock where we took pictures last year, so I had to hop back in that spot and take one this year too *laughs*
It overlooks a gorgeous river.
I love the way Kenny captured the clouds reflecting in the water here. It looks really powerful....I think this one is going up on the wall *winks*

There is also a neat water dam with a walkway that winds all the way across the lake

Ohhhh I love this guy!!

There is a neat area of the refuge where they have a biblical city built out of stone and every year at Easter they do the Passion play for thousands of park guests.

We reminisced about our trip to Yellowstone when we saw these Bison.
There is also a big herd of longhorn (and we're talking LONG horns). I always like to capture the babies on film jumping and frisking about *grins*
Finally we caught a whole family of majestic Elk and got to see the male perform his fantastic bugle up close in person!

(I was howling like a wolf....ahhhwwwoooooooo from the car to get this guy to perk his head up from eating grass *laughs*)

Our next stop on our adventure weekend was to go and see the little fluffy prairie dogs. When we stopped by the dens they inhabited last year there wasn't a one to be seen!?! Want to know why.....
That's right!! A coyote was prowling around and sniffing each and every little hole in the ground! I couldn't believe he was right there in plain view in broad daylight!

We decided to check the other prairie dog area and make sure that there were still some of those sweet guys around. On the way we caught a glimpse of a big Buck!

They seem especially hard to see in the wild. I think they are even more timid of hunters than the females are. Must be because of their prized "rack" of horns. I'm sure glad Kenny has the heart of a photographer and not of a hunter!

Here's another big Elk who was calling his lady to come join him...

See how she hears him bugling....(I love her eye and all the foliage in this shot!)
Luckily the second Prairie Dog den was full of activity....my sweet buddies were still around in full force *laughs*
watching.....munching....smooching....
peeking......

I love those cute guys! I want to squeeze their bellies! *winks*

We just had a great time and are looking forward to our next adventure!