Escape into Nature…. Well the real purpose for our visit to the refuge was to see how our new dog “Joey” or “Doodlebug” does camping. She did pretty good for her first time. We spent two nights camping in the refuge and birding too, of course…
Kenai National Wildlife Refuge
The refuge was established in 1941 when FDR (Roosevelt) signed enabling legislation for the “Kenai National Moose Range”. In 1980, the moose range was renamed the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge contains 1.98 million acres, much of that designated as wilderness.
Map showing the location of campgrounds
On the way to the refuge we went to the Funny River wildfire burn area to explore along a horse trail to see if we could spot any woodpeckers – in particular, the Three-toed Woodpecker. Nope. Not to be. However, we did find plenty of mosquitoes. Well, okay we did see birds too and also heard two Olive-sided Flycatchers, which was encouraging. This species is declining across its range, and is considered “Near Threatened”.
Horse trail traversing the Funny River burn
Swallowtail
Bunchberry
Cotton from the willow catkins
Chrysosplenium tetrandrum (Northern Golden Saxifrage)
This is a relatively small plant, with red seeds/fruits in what looks like cups
Lincoln Sparrow (one of my favorite sparrow species)
We camped at Lower Ohmer Lake campground the first night. This is a small campground – only four sites, with three close together. We got a nice spot near the lake.
Lower Ohmer Lake
Flag Iris
Cotton on the catkins
Upclose view
Jack hanging out at the campground. I was busy checking for birds.
I LOVE clouds (well when there is also blue sky)
Black-capped Chickadee
Osprey – the bird actually had a fish in its talons
The next morning after breakfast we broke camp and drove to the Hidden Creek trailhead. This 2.6 mile trail (round-trip) takes the hiker through varied habitat, including a burned area, with the turn-around point at Skilak Lake.
Male Pine Grosbeak – we saw a lot of grosbeaks on the gravel road eating grit
Female Pine Grosbeak eating grit
Hidden Creek Trail
Traveled through an array of habitats
View of Skilak Lake
Fungus on a birch tree
More fungus
Skilak Lake
Iris
Hidden Creek near its mouth
View of the mouth of Hidden Creek from the trail
Dark-eyed Junco
American Robin
White-winged Crossbill
We spent our second night at the Upper Skilak campground. This was a more “developed” campground, with paved roads and “designated” sites. Good we got to the campground early, and then watched campers arriving to find a place to spend the night in the campground soon filling up the campground.
This squirrel was not a happy camper. He wanted us gone.
Did I mention there were a lot of mosquitoes?
Juvenile gull
These gulls just want to be fed
Not sure this bench gets much use
Lots of lichens on the bench
Skilak Lake from a trail in the day-use area of the Upper Skilak Lake
Rocky outcrop that hosts Glaucous-winged and Herring Gulls and Double-Crested Cormorant
We saw lots of these signs. They tell you not to run, but that is the first thing that crosses my mind. Instead you are to raise your hands and shout at the bear. Now that is not what I would think to do. Luckily we didn’t come across any bears.
In the morning we headed back home, with a stop at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center. The refuge opened a new visitor center in May 2015. The visitor center was very nice with environmentally friendly building materials and design.
New Kenai NWR visitor center
Signage
Entrance to the visitor center – natural roof
Bull Moose Greeting.
The weather was nice, the scenery beautiful, the birds grand, and the mosquitoes everywhere. We had a great time. Get out and enjoy your National Wildlife Refuges and check out the birds because … IT’S ALWAYS A GREAT DAY TO BIRD.
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