Photo Trip: Imperial National Wildlife Refuge

Imperial National Wildlife Refuge runs along the Arizona side of the Colorado River for about 30 miles; some 25,000 acres including several backwater lakes and marshes. It was established in 1941 to protect wintering migratory waterbirds. Here are two photos, first looking to the north along the river, and then to the south:

Colorado River north

Colorado River south

As you can see there is much vegetation along the river, but after that it becomes a series of lava plateaus and mountain ranges. Although INWR is known for its wintering birds, I go there because it offers the highest probability of seeing Feral Burros and Desert Bighorn Sheep. 

There is one dirt road through the refuge. It runs for about five miles and then goes into a slice of the Yuma Proving Ground for another five miles, and then finally another four miles to the Red Cloud Mine  -- a long forgotten silver and mineral mine from the 1870's. The road is a 4x4 only and at various places goes into a very sandy wash.  Driving from the Visitor's Center to the Mine and back takes two to three hours depending on how much time is spent photographing Bighorns and Burros.  I made two trips out and back Monday afternoon and then two more trips out and back Tuesday Morning. On my first trip shortly after turning around at the Red Cloud Mine I looked up into the mountains and saw a "white rump." Experience told me this was a Bighorn Sheep. The first photo is what it looked like to the "naked eye.":

The next photo with a 100 mm lens:

 And, then with a 400mm lens:

As you can see he knew I was there and was checking me out --- just as I was checking him out. I had several other wonderful experiences getting much closer. More tomorrow!