Fall Road Trip 2023 - Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge

Many years ago on a 45-day around-the-US train trip, we stopped in Klamath Falls and rented a car to visit Crater Lake and the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge. We decided to stop at the Klamath Basin again but, with the morning ground fog, it didn't seem likely that we'd see much. 

Thankfully, it cleared off later in the day and there were so many hawks around, plus a few other birds. Unfortunately, it's hard to get close to them so these photos are not the greatest. 

This is a view overlooking the basin but the marsh area decreased dramatically in the early 1900's due to developing agricultural land. Since the late 1990's they have been trying to restore the marsh and wildlife areas. 

Lava Rock

The lava rock is a great place for nesting birds. 

The next morning we stopped along the highway for this view of what we thought was more low-lying fog. In fact, it was smoke from some controlled burning in the area. 

Klamath Falls

To break up the train trip a little bit, we stopped for a couple days in Klamath Falls, Oregon. We rented a car and, the first day, headed to Crater Lake. It was absolutely stunning! The day was calm, warm and the water on the lake was like glass, making for very clear reflections.

Being off season, it was fairly quiet. Some short uphill hikes away from the vehicles meant we were usually on our own.

We didn't see a whole lot for birds and animals but a small black bear ran across the road in front of us as we were leaving the park.

Panorama . . . no way to get it all in one regular photo!

Klamath Falls is a well known migration route so we were hoping to see lots of birds. There are various locations but, on our second day, we headed south about 25 miles to the Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge. And we did see lots of birds! Blue herons, pelicans, snowy geese, Canada geese, kestrel hawks, red tailed hawks, grebes, various ducks, seagulls, red-winged blackbirds and no doubt several others that I've missed. As well as a few deer and a muskrat. I didn't even try to take any photos with my little camera but Andrew took lots!

We also took a short hike near Lake Ewauna just on the edge of Klamath Falls.

Panorama view

Lots of beautiful fall colours.

 Next stop: Santa Barbara and paragliding!