After visiting the Dunes we decided to drive to the Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge about 8 miles going westbound on Route 160, the route we came in on. We were going to turn around after we started down the road towards the refuge because we could not find it. Continued to drive on a dirt road and eventually the road dead ended at the refuge, about 4 miles later. We both like bird watching and thought this might be a nice change from the other activities we do. Located in the San Luis Valley, a large valley created millions of years ago when a volcano erupted which scientists said was the largest eruption on earth, ever. Caused this great sunken valley which is the remains of the volcano (what is left of the sides of volcano are the ring of mountains surrounding the valley).
The walking trail was closed but there was an auto tour of 3 1/2 miles you could drive to view the different wildlife, takes you on a ring road around the wetlands. Numerous road side interpretive signs provided information on what you were seeing, what was happening, how the area was managed. Were not smart in our timing - during the mid afternoon is not a good time to look for birds - should have come earlier or later to see more. Did see a number of waders, white faced ibis, herons. Red wing blackbirds, Bullocks Orioles. And lots of bugs. Deer, elk, and eagles are said to be year round residents here but we did not see any.
We were in the middle of wetlands. You look in any direction and off in the distance are mountains - very tall mountains! You are standing in a big valley. You can see cattails growing, different types of grasses, trees way out - which allow for nesting of birds and for cover for deer. Wild flowers, thickets. Lots of water. Marshes, standing pools of water, ditches of flowing water. We learned this wetland is a major supplier of water for the Rio Grande River, which begins its journey somewhere in the mountains to our northwest. But the really interesting fact is that this area only gets 7 inches of rain/snow a year. Amazing and yet, very lush and no hint of any draught.
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| Barely see Sand Dunes in distance |
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| Lots of migratory birds come here as they pass through |
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| Wetlands with lots of wading birds |
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