Wildlife Photography
Blinds
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 Photography
Blind Map
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Waterbird
blinds Hill Road Marsh #1 Tulelake Sump #3 Lower Klamath Marsh & Waterbird Blind #6 |
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Eagle
Blinds
PHOTOBLIND BROCHURE |
The varied wildlife and habitats of Klamath Basin Refuge
Complex are a photographer's delight as photographic opportunities abound. A
limited number of blinds are available on Tule Lake and Lower Klamath Refuges
by advanced reservation. Contact Refuge Headquarters for further information.
General Information
Wildlife photography opportunities at the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuges
are excellent. Six photography blinds have been made available, four on Tule
Lake Refuge and two on Lower Klamath Refuge. Use of these blinds is by
reservation only. An annual pass is required for anyone using
refuge photo blinds. Only one blind may be reserved per day,
and a given blind may be reserved for up to two days per week. Blind reservations
are on a first-come, first-served basis and accepted only within six months
of the first date the blind will be used.
Three blinds (Blinds # 2 and # 5 on Tule Lake Refuge and Blind # 7 on Lower Klamath Refuge) are located to facilitate bald eagle and raptor photography. During December through March these blinds must be entered before 7a.m. Blinds # 1 and # 3 on Tule Lake and Blind # 6 on Lower Klamath provide opportunities to photograph water birds. Warm clothing, a telephoto lens and tripod enhance opportunities at the blinds. Although unusual, winter temperatures occasionally fall to 0 degrees F. All blinds are situated for best lighting for photography in the morning.
Making a
Reservation
Blind reservations may be made in person, by telephone, or mail at the Klamath
Basin National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, located 5 miles west of Tulelake,
CA, on Hill Rd. Telephone: (530) 667-2231. Visitor Center hours are 8 am - 4:30
pm, weekdays and 9 am - 4 pm weekends and holidays. The Refuge Visitor Center
is closed Christmas and New Year's days. Reservations by mail or telephone should
be made at least 10 days prior to intended use to allow for mail delivery of materials.
Reservation confirmations are mailed when payment has been received. An annual refuge pass is available for $25 and is valid for one year from date of purchase. ($12.50 per person for those with a Senior Interagency Pass, an Interagency Access Pass or for full time students 21 years and under) For those requesting a permit by phone, credit cards are accepted. Please make checks payable to the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The reservation includes a slip to display on the vehicle dashboard. There is no need to return reservation materials after use.
Reducing
Wildlife Disturbance
Please conduct activities so as to keep wildlife disturbance to a minimum.
For example, make a genuine effort to exit the blind/area when no wildlife
is in the vicinity. Such actions will not only benefit wildlife but will help ensure continued,
high quality photographic opportunities. Photographers are encouraged
to enter blinds prior to sunrise which reduces disturbance and helps
achieve the best photographic results.
Blind
Descriptions and Locations
Blind locations on roads and access trails are marked with a white fiberglass post
which includes the blind number, a directional arrow, and two red reflectors.
1 Hill
Road Marsh Blind
This is a two-person blind with 4 lens ports located on the west shoreline of Tule Lake. From the refuge
visitor center travel 2.7 miles south on Hill Road to the boat ramp parking
area on the left. Park at the ramp. The blind is a short walk (700 feet) out
the dike on the north side of the boat channel. A minimum 200mm lens is suggested.
The blind faces the water in a north/northwest direction. Best Times:
spring, summer and fall. During waterfowl hunting season (October through January) the boat ramp area is extensively used by hunters and few birds
may be present. NOTE: This blind is wheelchair accessible.
2 Tule
Lake Sump 1-B Raptor Blind
This one-person blind is set up to photograph hawks and eagles. It is located along the south
shore of Sump 1-B off the auto tour route. From the refuge visitor center travel
4.8 miles south on Hill Road, then turn left onto the auto tour route for 4.8
miles. At the tour route junction turn right for 1.1 mile and then left for
1.5 miles along the south shore of Sump 1-B to the road signed for Authorized Vehicles Only. Turn left onto this road and travel 0.2 miles. Park here leaving room
for other vehicles to pass. The blind is located approximately 200 yards to
the north across the grassland near a tree (eagle perch). A minimum 300mm lens
is suggested. The blind faces north. Best Times: Mid-December to mid-March. REMINDER: This blind must be entered before 7am from January
through February.
3 Tule
Lake Sump 1-B Waterbird Blind
This blind accommodates up to two people. It is located on the south shore of Sump 1-B along the auto tour
route. From the refuge visitor center, travel 4.8 miles south on Hill Road,
then turn left onto the auto tour route for 4.8 miles. At the tour route junction
turn right for 1.1 mile and then left for 2.4 miles along the south shore of
Sump 1-B. You will see a boardwalk leading to the blind across the grasslands.
Park here leaving room for other vehicles to pass. A minimum 300mm telephoto
lens is suggested. The blind faces the water (north) with several openings to photograph
waterbirds. An opening also faces the willow tree. Best Times:
spring and fall. NOTE: This blind is wheelchair accessible.
5Tule
Lake Eagle Blind
This one-person blind is located on the south shore of Sump 1-B along the auto tour
route. From the refuge visitor center, travel 4.8 miles south on Hill Road,
then turn left onto the auto tour route for 4.8 miles. At the tour route junction
turn right for 1.1 mile and then left for 2.4 miles along the south shore of
Sump 1-B. Park at the white post marking blind #5 leaving room for other vehicles
to pass. A minimum 300mm telephoto lens is suggested. The lens opening in the blind faces a willow
tree where raptors frequently perch during the winter months. Best Times:
mid-December through mid-March. REMINDER: This blind must be entered before 7am.
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6 Lower
Klamath Marsh and Waterbird Blind
This one-person fiberglass cylinder blind located along the water's edge near the
northwest corner of Lower Klamath Refuge auto tour route. From the refuge visitor center travel
3.9 miles north on Hill Road to the intersection with State Line Road (Highway
161). Turn left onto Stateline Road and continue 11.2 miles. Park just off the
highway on the left at the chain link fence. Your permit
allows you to enter a marked gate in the fence and hike the 500 yards along the dike to the blind.
The blind is located near the first lone tree you encounter and is positioned
for photographing waterfowl and other waterbirds in the channel in front of
the blind. The blind faces west and a minimum 300 mm telephoto lens is suggested
with subject distances varying from about 20 to 125 feet. Best Times:
spring and summer (waterfowl, grebes, pelicans, herons, egrets)
7 Lower Klamath Eagle Snag Blind
This one-person blind is situated for morning photography of eagles and raptors. The blind
shares the same driving directions and parking area as Blind #6 described above.
The blind is located 100 yards beyond blind #6. Hike approximately 600 yards
along the dike to the fiberglass blind on the dike top located near a dead tree
where eagles and raptors perch in the late fall and winter. The blind is approximately 75 feet from the perching location. A minimum 300 mm telephoto lens is recommended.
Best Times: mid- December through mid-March. REMINDER: This
blind must be entered before 7 am. {top of page}
