Day 5 at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge started just like the previous mornings, with a warm cup of coffee in hand before sunrise, listening to the eerie yet beautiful sound of elk bugling off in the distance. As always, I couldn’t resist heading to the west side of the refuge, which had been a wildlife hotspot for me these past few days. It’s truly been a great area for photography, as you can see from my last two posts. The action out there has been incredible.
Bull Elk Near the Road
As I made my way west, I spotted a bull elk near the road, not far from French Lake. With the heat, I’ve noticed that the elk are staying close to water, and this bull seemed to be keeping an eye on the lake. Nearby, cow and calf elk crossed the road, but they quickly vanished into the trees. The bull stayed long enough for me to get some nice photos, which was a real treat. It’s always exciting to see these magnificent animals up close, especially during this time of year when their behavior is more active and unpredictable.
The Roadrunner Returns
Remember that Greater Roadrunner I mentioned from Day 3? I spotted it again in the same area, and I got a shot I really like. It was stretching its leg toward its rear, and for a moment, it looked like it was gearing up for some kind of high-speed race. These birds are fascinating, and catching them in action always makes for a fun photo opportunity.
A Young Buck and Fawn
Further down the road, I came across a young white-tailed buck walking alongside a doe and her fawn. The buck had already shed the velvet from its antlers, and watching it move through the landscape was a beautiful sight. I photographed it as it walked with the fawn nearby. The early morning light added a soft glow to the scene, making for some fantastic shots. It’s always a pleasure to witness deer in their natural habitat, especially when the setting is this peaceful.
An Unusual Green Heron Sighting
Later in the evening, I decided to walk around the south side of French Lake. That’s when I spotted something unusual: a Green Heron standing on a Lotus Leaf that was floating on the water. The wind was blowing, causing one edge of the leaf to curl up, and the Heron was just riding it like it was no big deal! I’m not sure what it was doing out there, maybe it was just having fun. Whatever the reason, it made for a memorable and unexpected photo.
Can’t Forget the Lizards
And of course, no day is complete without me photographing a couple of Collared Lizards. I came across them on the rocks near the road and couldn’t resist snapping a few shots. These vibrant reptiles are always a highlight when I’m out in the refuge.
Day 5 was another awesome day filled with memorable wildlife encounters. You can see what happened next in my Day 6 wildlife encounters at Wichita Mountains.