Wichita Mountains National Refuge

As we reach the end of September, we can be assured that Autumn is on its way.  Jane and I embarked on a short road trip in September to finish our summer travels before Autumn’s arrival.  We headed due east from Albuquerque for eight hours to Lawton, Oklahoma, to visit the Wichita Mountains National Refuge.  We knew very little about this refuge but figured there would be some wildlife viewing and photography.  Turns out that this refuge, established in 1905, was the nations first preserve for big game.  At the time, when the Oklahoma Territory was opened for homesteading, there was very little in the way of big game left.  Buffalo hunters had all but wiped this animal from the American prairie.

Wichita Mountains National RefugeRefuge Entrance Sign Quanah Parker LakeWispy Clouds Over Quanah Parker Lake
 

SunriseSunrise At Crater Lake SunriseSunburst At Crater Lake

In 1907, it was Teddy Roosevelt who led the way to reintroduce bison to the refuge.  Fifteen American Buffalo (bison) were brought by train, from the Bronx Zoo in New York City, to re-establish the iconic bison at the refuge.  A year later, a small herd of Rocky Mountain Elk from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, were brought to the refuge.  Then in 1927, in order to reflect the western heritage of the area, Texas Longhorn Cattle were also brought to the refuge.  Wichita Mountain National Refuge now provides protection status to these unique animals.

BisonBison At A Scratching Post BisonYoung Bull Bison

Texas Longhorn Bull BisonSmall Bison Herd

From a photography perspective, the most charismatic animal, the one I spent the most time watching and photographing, was the Black-Tailed Prairie Dog.  This keystone species also had to be reintroduced into the refuge after the original population had died off due to disease.  In 2023, thirty prairie dogs were relocated from Elmer Thomas Park, in Lawton, to establish a new colony at the refuge.  I was certainly appreciative of that reintroduction because I spent hours trying for keeper images.

Black-Tailed Prairie DogsCharismatic Prairie Dogs Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs

For images from Wichita Mountains National Refuge you check the "Latest" gallery and the "Wichita Mountains National Refuge" gallery under the "Wildlife Refuges and Preserves".

Now, as Summer fades into Autumn, Jane and I look forward to the rest of year and travels still to enjoy.