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Post by texaswoodie on Nov 16, 2012 9:11:35 GMT -5
We spent 7 days at WMWR in Oklahoma. It was awesome every day. WMWR is the first national refuge in the U.S., established in 1901. At the campsite  Hiking  Sunrise from our campsite on Quanah Parker Lake  In the early 1900's the Bison were almost extinct. The Bronx Zoo sent 12 to WMWR and now there is a large herd roaming free and wild  The original Elk that were here are now extinct so a few Rocky Mountain Elk were imported and there is a large herd of those as well  There is a also a herd of Texas Longhorns running wild on the prairie. The excess Longhorns and Bison are sold at auction each year. Here are some local cowboys rounding up the Longhorns for auction  All sorts of animals are everywhere  The prairie sunsets were awesome   Moon rising over the granite mountains  And a couple of landscapes   Thanks for looking. |
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snuffy
Cave Dweller 
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
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Post by snuffy on Nov 16, 2012 9:24:19 GMT -5
Beautiful pics!Bet it was hard to leave that wonderful setting!
snuffy
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Post by texaswoodie on Nov 16, 2012 9:33:41 GMT -5
Gee Snuff, I so didn't want to come home. I'd live there in a flash if they would let me.
Curt
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grayfingers
Cave Dweller
Member since November 2007
Posts: 4,575 
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Post by grayfingers on Nov 16, 2012 9:59:04 GMT -5
Wow Curt, What a nice trip! We had a foot of snow last week here, so it is especially nice to see these.
Very impressed with the selection of wildlife!
My uncle (retired ranger from YNP) is a camp host who gets to live the whole summer camping.
Bill
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Post by texaswoodie on Nov 16, 2012 10:37:32 GMT -5
Yeah Bill, I'm seriously thinking about being a camp host. Six months camping, six months at home. What a great life!
Curt
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grayfingers
Cave Dweller
Member since November 2007
Posts: 4,575
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Post by grayfingers on Nov 16, 2012 11:10:59 GMT -5
It really is a great way to retire. Actually, I think this was my uncle and aunt's last summer hosting, he turned 81 this fall. They met a lot of new friends over the years they hosted, and in winter they live in an RV around the lake Mead area visiting many of those friends and fishing.
I would not make a good camp host. My uncle is a natural, after being a park ranger. We never had them (hosts) here until around 20 years ago, and it took some getting used to having someone snooping around my camp, fretting over a cooler that is sitting outside, etc. (Bearanoia) I only camp in campgrounds when they are mostly empty, as we camp to get away from people. Anymore, we just 4-wheel far up into forest service land so as to camp without any neighbors, or rules.
Bill
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,723
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Post by Fossilman on Nov 16, 2012 12:00:04 GMT -5
Looks so peaceful.............
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Thunder69
Cave Dweller
Thunder 2000-2015
Member since January 2009
Posts: 3,105
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Post by Thunder69 on Nov 16, 2012 18:02:43 GMT -5
Those are beautiful photos Curt.....John
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colliel82
has rocks in the head
Member since November 2007
Posts: 664
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Post by colliel82 on Nov 16, 2012 19:48:20 GMT -5
Wonderful pictures. Thanks for sharing.
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Post by gr on Nov 16, 2012 22:23:57 GMT -5
Great pics Curt! That elk is lookin alittle rough
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Post by gingerkid on Nov 17, 2012 9:07:15 GMT -5
 Beautiful photography!! What caused the extinction of the elk?
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Charles
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since May 2012
Posts: 161
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Post by Charles on Nov 17, 2012 9:32:47 GMT -5
WARNING ROCK CONTENT Curt, did you notice the warning signs at some of the lakes? The mercury in the lakes came from the mercury used in the gold mining that took place there about the late 1800's I think. I believe that's what I was told. During Jan. and Feb. they have eagle tours back in the restricted area. You'll see several bald eagles and a bunch of golden eagles. What a beautiful site. Charles Whose is lucky enough to live about 45 miles from the refuge. |
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Post by texaswoodie on Nov 17, 2012 10:58:48 GMT -5
Thanks for your kind comments everyone. Ginger The Elk vanished from here in the late 1800's. No studies were ever done so no one knows for sure what sub species they were. It was either Merriam's or Manitoban. The Manitoban survived but the Merraim's became extinct. Either way, unregulated hunting and cattle grazing are thought to be the cause of Oklahoma Elk extinction. Charles You are indeed very fortunate to live that close. I'd be out there on a weekly bases if I lived that close. Yes, I did see the signs about Mercury in the fish. We went to the mining ghost town of Meers and got one of their famous hamburgers. Man, that is some good eatin'. Curt |
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Post by beefjello on Nov 17, 2012 11:07:03 GMT -5
Curt that looks like a great place to leave all your worries behind and de-stress for a while. Amazing pictures, thank you for sharing them!
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Post by Tonyterner on Nov 22, 2012 6:37:07 GMT -5
Looks like a beautiful place. I gotta get me to Texas one of these days.
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Post by Rockoonz on Nov 23, 2012 0:50:30 GMT -5
Great photos, I tried the link to more and it didn't work though.
Lee
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Post by Woodyrock on Nov 23, 2012 2:11:35 GMT -5
Absolutely beautiful! Sure does NOT look like Washington state at this time of year. Easy to see why Quanah Parker tried to keep us out.
Woody
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Post by texaswoodie on Nov 24, 2012 9:31:43 GMT -5
Thanks again folks! Lee The pics were on a website that I had a 14 day free trial. Sorry, but they are gone now.  Curt |
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Beautiful photography!! 
