In addition to Rocky Mountain National Park, I also liked to go to Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge. It is a longer drive from Boulder, especially when the pass across the National Park is closed due to snow. The 23,464-acre wildlife refuge was established to provide suitable nesting and rearing habitat for migratory birds. Spring is a great time to visit as the migrating birds arrive when the snow in the wetlands is melting. There were a lot of birds, some I could identify and others that I need to identify. There were also a lot of prairie dogs, and a blind set up for a biologist to observe and study the prairie dogs.
Horned Lark in the wetlands of the Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/8, 1/1250 sec). (David J Mathre)Prairie dog in the wetlands of the Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/11, 1/200 sec). (David J Mathre)
Individual images in the slideshow can be viewed here.
Author: David Mathre
I am a scientist by training (Eckerd College, BSc; Caltech, Ph.D.). I worked for 27 years as a Chemist in the Pharmaceutical Industry developing processes to manufacture medicines for human and animal health. I now spend my time as a photographer and world traveler. My interests include the natural world, wildlife, landscapes, sky, and seascapes, travel, and astrophotography. I look for unique ways of viewing the world and presenting my images. I have traveled to over 55 countries in six continents, often on Semester at Sea voyages. While at home in New Jersey, I spend time on home renovation and expansion of a wildflower garden/meadow.
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