Antelope gather into large herds during the winter.

Though uncommon residents of the Refuge, this particular antelope spent the entire 2012 summer on Modoc NWR. He became very accustomed to disturbance by vehicles and heavy equipment, and even received the nickname "Frank" by Refuge staff.

Though uncommon residents of the Refuge, this particular antelope spent the entire 2012 summer on Modoc NWR. He became very accustomed to disturbance by vehicles and heavy equipment, and even received the nickname "Frank" by Refuge staff. Here he stands in the dust during a wetland improvement project.

Badgers can be seen peeking over the mounds of their dens in upland sites of the Refuge.

Bald Eagles commonly stop at Modoc NWR during migration.

Great-horned owls don't always prey on small mammals and birds, sometimes they even take down large raptors like this one.

These Great-horned owls are spending a cold winter day in the shelter provided by one of the few riparian areas found at Modoc.

Rough-legged hawks are made for cold weather, and many winter at Modoc NWR. It is very common to see these hawks perched in the willows around the tour route.

Mule deer often take advantage of the excellent habitat provided by the Refuge, and it is not rare, especially in the late summer, to see large bucks like these.

Large herds of buck mule deer like this one congregate during the summer months. As breeding season nears, the herd breaks apart and individuals begin competing to breed with does.

This large mule deer buck gazes at the camera man with curiosity, but as is common with the Refuge mule deer, shows no indication of alarm.

The Grandma Tract of Modoc National Wildlife Refuge is a common place to see large Mule Deer as grain and cover are plentiful there.

This drake mallard balances on one leg as it stretches on a cold December day.

Migrant waterfowl utilize the wetlands provided for them, like this drake bufflehead.

Some ducks choose to stay and nest at Modoc NWR during the breeding season. Mallard, Gadwall, and Cinnamon Teal are the most common nesters. This particular hen nests near headquarters every year, and in 2011 and 2012 successfully hatched large broods of ducklings!

These mallard ducklings will stay huddled together in the warmth and safety of the nest until the female returns to lead them to a nearby wetland.

This nest was located near the Refuge headquarters and gives staff an excellent opportunity to monitor the incubating period of a live and wild mallard.

Gadwall broods like this one can be seen all over the Refuge in July and August.

Many mammals call Modoc NWR home, like this small cottontail taking cover near the Refuge headquarters!

Though coyotes are nest predators in the spring, ducks at Modoc are much less frightened of them during the fall when they are in the water and able to fly. These ducks don't seem to pay much attention to the coyote watching them.

Large and small flocks of Cranes can be seen in wet meadows throughout most of the year, except December and January when they have migrated further south. The cranes begin returning to the Refuge around Valentine's Day each year.

Though this Crane nest may seem very vulnerable to predators because it is so exposed, in actuality the male and female Cranes will spend nearly 100% of their time attending and defending the nest, and Crane nest success averages around 70% every year.

The male and female Cranes take turns incubating their eggs. They cover them completely, and will act aggressively towards most invaders. If aggression fails, they will try to lead the predator away from the nest.

Above is a recently hatched crane colt, likely less than 1 week old. Crane colts have a tough journey ahead of them, having to avoid predation and succumbing to the elements, but once they are able to fly they have very high survival rates and often live to an old age.

It's hard to believe that this palm size bird could stand nearly five feet tall and weigh 14 pounds in just 9 short weeks!

A class of young students comes to learn at Modoc National Wildlife Refuge!

Modoc NWR provides many opportunities for environmental education, including on-site field trips and in-classroom visits. This young lady had a unique opportunity to hold a live duck, and will probably never forget it!

The Visitors Center is located at Modoc NWR headquarters and displays a great variety of mounted specimens and educational tools. Come on in and the Refuge staff will acquaint you with the Refuge's history and answer any questions that you have.

Enjoy a morning or evening of wildlife viewing and photography from the Modoc NWR photo blind. Call us to make a reservation today!

When necessary, fire is used as a habitat management tool, and can often increase the value of habitat for wildlife.

Canada geese are year round residents at Modoc NWR. They spend a majority of their time at the Refuge, but leave to forage in nearby grain fields.

This flock of geese spends a fall morning loafing and resting near the tour route of the Refuge.

During the spring goose broods like this one can be seen throughout the Refuge. Both parents stay with the goslings until they are ready to breed again the following season.

The darker plumage on this Tundra swan indicates that it is a juvenile bird and was hatched during the previous spring nesting season.

Often times the beauty of insects is overlooked because of their size. Here is a Hawk Moth up close and personal, collecting nectar from a teasel flower.

A sample of duck, goose, and crane nests are monitored each year to estimate the nesting success rates at Modoc NWR. In this picture, three technicians work together to gather data from a recently discovered duck nest.

A Red-tailed Hawk, the most abundant and widespread hawk in North America, is seen here perched on a snag at Modoc NWR. Red-tailed hawks are year round residents at the refuge.

The Warner Mountains provide an excellent foreground for a Modoc sunrise!

Though common at Modoc NWR, weasels are often hard to see. They can sometimes be spotted scampering across the road, but rarely offer an opportunity for a photograph like this one did as he stood up in the snow.