Refuge: n. a condition of being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger or trouble.
It may seem incompatible with the above definition, but during certain seasons hunting is permitted at the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. Thankfully the refuge is managed for hunters and non-hunters alike with almost 80,000 acres of habitat, and a 12 mile auto tour route.
Bear River is accessible year-round but spring and summer can be buggy—we’re talking swarms of bugs—and fall is sometimes shared with the aforementioned hunters. What’s a birder to do? How about winter, when the crowds are gone and Tundra Swans congregate by the thousands at the refuge.
Enjoy the bird life and scenery of Bear River during winter, as captured in the following photos:
 |
| White pelicans in flight. |
 |
A Western Grebe family. Notice one fuzzy head peeking from the back of
the daddy grebe (top). The other chick is trailing behind its parents. |
 |
| A flock of Common Goldeneyes graces the water. |
 |
As we watched the flock, two Goldeneyes took flight.
Note the reflection of the near bird in the icy blue water. |
 |
| Pie-billed Grebes navigate among the ice floes. |
 |
The honks and hoots of tens of thousands of Tundra Swans
fill the air on a winter's day. |
Ultimately, the major threat to the refuge will come not from hunters, but from a burgeoning human population in need of water. Visit this magical place before the Bear River is diverted for residential and agricultural use.
 |
| Sunset. The refuge and its residents are at rest and safe—for now. |
If you enjoy bird-watching as much as I do, you don't want to miss this:
http://www.berry.edu/eaglecam/
Bald Eagles have taken up residence on the campus of Berry College in Georgia and, last Saturday—February 22nd, 2014—a brand new eaglet was hatched! The eagle cam provides a live, 24/7 look into the fascinating life of this eagle family.
