OURAY WILDLIFE REFUGE
& PELICAN LAKE, UTAH
We began our journey to another Wildlife Refuge by visiting Pelican Lake, which was NOT at all easy to find -- it took us a couple of hours on backroads til we found it. And, when we got there, there was the host and one other camper. Had the place pretty much to ourselves along with the waterfowl.
Interestingly, our visit to the Ouray Wildlife Refuge (35 miles SW of Vernal, Ut) was a surprise. Not only were there no staff in the central building or at the trout breeding building but there was also no water released into the refuge for the birds. We are assuming this lack of personnel and management had to do with the recent DOGE cuts by the Trump administration, leaving our protected areas unprotected. The area has interesting formations and colorful beauty nonetheless and we explored it as the only people in the entire place along with just 3 birds.
Of course, Pelican Lake needed a requisite pelican. The only one we saw there. Have no idea what the other birds are but they have long beaks.
While driving the roads in search of Pelican Lake, we spooked a Great Blue Heron off the wetlands. Such a beautiful sight.
Blue-winged teal abound in these Utah wetlands.
In the evening, the Killdeer got pretty frantic about our proximity to her nest. She kept marching and flying around trying to draw me and Louie away from her concern.
She put on quite a display.
Finally. the sun went down giving the killdeer some relief from our presence.
View of Ouray Wildlife Refuge
While wildlife was in sparse supply, the geology of the area is inspiring. Positively gorgeous.
View of Green River from butte overlook at Ouray Wildlife Refuge
Oil wells and storage tanks amidst hay fields
Fish Hatchery
Roger was really excited to go to the hatchery since a big one like this was on his bucket list. But sadly, not a soul around and no fish being hatched or tended. It was kind of a bust but fun nonetheless. He got to look at old machinery instead.
The species supposedly being raised at the fish hatchery was posted but with no personnel and no water, the place was empty.
At the hatchery, there was a lot of discarded equipment.
Even the flag is tattered but it was present at the top of its pole so someone must have raised it, or it just stays up there in the wind.
Ouray Wildlife Refuge Geology
So we drove around the refuge. The geologic formations are amazing. However, part of the mandate for this refuge is that they fill the fields with water to attract migrating birds -- presumably, this is important to the seasonal hunters, as well. However, everything was bone dry and hardly any birds.
We did see an immature bald eagle, and a redtail hawk hidden in the trees.
This is a Say's Phoebe hanging out near the Ranger station, which was empty of people.
This refuge was so devoid of birds that I have to include the lone starling since 4 birds are all we saw, if you count the hidden redtail hawk.
As we drove away, we saw a lone mule deer racing into the brush.
More wild horses in the Ouray Wildlife Refuge were the only living creatures besides us and the birds.
