{"id":2385,"date":"2011-05-29T05:33:44","date_gmt":"2011-05-29T12:33:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/?page_id=2385"},"modified":"2026-04-13T10:14:19","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T15:14:19","slug":"a-journey-to-fish-springs-national-wildlife-refuge-an-oasis-in-the-west-desert-of-utah","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/favorite-locations\/a-journey-to-fish-springs-national-wildlife-refuge-an-oasis-in-the-west-desert-of-utah\/","title":{"rendered":"Journey to Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge Via Simpson Springs<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"BillowingBillowing clouds above Simpson Springs – Nikon D200, f13, 1\/320, ISO 250, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 18-200mm VR at 18mm, natural light <\/span><\/p>\n

I headed out to the west desert of Utah earlier this week to camp at Simpson Springs<\/span><\/a> and journey from there to Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge,<\/span><\/a> a spring-fed oasis for the wildlife in the area and as I soon found out it is also an oasis for the heart of this woman.<\/p>\n

I’m fairly familiar with Simpson Springs having been there a few times and I always love the journey to it. Simpson Springs is named after Captain J. H. Simpson who stopped there in 1858 when he was looking for a mail route from Salt Lake City to California.<\/p>\n

There was a dependable supply of fresh water from the springs there and it would later become a mail station location No. 87 for the Pony Express<\/span><\/a> and the Overland Express. The Pony Express was only in operation from April 3, 1860 until October 24, 1861.<\/p>\n

In the 1930’s the Civilian Conservation Corps created a camp there, probably because of the availability of a reliable water source which is crucial in the West Desert for people and animals. There are about 20 campsites there going up a hill. We picked the uppermost campsite because of the spectacular views of the valley below and the Simpson Range of mountains above.<\/p>\n

\"ViewView above the Simpson Springs campground – Nikon D200, f13, 1\/320, ISO 250, Nikkor 18-200mm VR at 24 mm, natural light <\/span><\/p>\n

The campground is very peaceful and I relaxed as soon as we made camp. It was too late to head towards Fish Springs NWR so we did some exploring around the Simpson Springs area and turned onto some rough roads to see what was there.<\/p>\n

I would not advise anyone without 4-wheel drive to attempt those smaller roads.<\/p>\n

I could see a few Pronghorn in the distance but no where near close enough to photograph. The morning had been cool and the sun had warmed up the desert nicely by the afternoon. One of those side roads took us high over the valley and the view was beautiful.<\/p>\n

\"HighHigh above Simpson Springs – Nikon D200, f13, 1\/500, ISO 250, Nikkor 18-200mm VR at 32mm, natural light <\/span><\/p>\n

There were\u00a0billowy clouds that created interesting shadows on the valley below and several kinds of wildflowers were blooming including one of my favorites, the Indian Paintbrush.<\/p>\n

There are not many tall\u00a0trees in the area, the most obvious\u00a0are the Junipers, twisted by the elements with a pungent aroma. The warm, gentle breeze felt great.<\/p>\n

There were quite a few warblers flitting about but none of them held still long enough to get pictures of them, they are such tiny dynamos.<\/p>\n

\"RockRock Wren near Simpson Springs – Nikon D200, f6.3, 1\/1000, ISO 400, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 306mm, natural light<\/span><\/p>\n

The second side road that we drove up was a bit rougher than the previous one but we found two interesting things there. I heard a familiar sound and followed the sound with my eyes and as a result I spotted a Rock Wren foraging in some rocks in the grass. The wren moved very quickly and I didn’t have the best light but I really enjoyed watching it and taking some photos.<\/p>\n

Further up on a cliff wall I found a Common Raven’s nest built into a crevice. The adult Ravens were nearby though I couldn’t see any chicks in the nest. The ravens might be on their second brood by now.<\/p>\n

\"GreenGreen Volcanic Tuff seen in the Simpson Springs area – Nikon D200, f6.3, 1\/1500, ISO 400, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 200mm, natural light<\/span><\/p>\n

Later on we took another side road down into the valley which swung south on the west side of the reconstructed Pony Express Station. Looking east on that road you can see where there are heaps of green rock, those rocks are porous volcanic tuff.<\/p>\n

I read yesterday while researching it that the rock was mined at one time and used for decorative rocks in fish aquariums. Pretty interesting stuff that tuff!<\/p>\n

Back at the campground I decided to take a short walk higher up on the Simpson Range behind our campsite. My camera gear and tripod are quite heavy, especially when walking uphill so I decided to go up without it but suspected I would be sorry that I did.<\/p>\n

I was right and was<\/em> sorry I left it behind because there were warblers in the junipers close to where I stood and above me a Red-tailed Hawk circled in the updraft from the mountains.\u00a0 I admit I was pretty mad at myself for not at least carrying a camera with my 70-300mm VR attached. Live and learn.<\/p>\n

\"StormyStormy skies\u00a0with virga over the valley from the campsite at Simpson Springs – Nikon D200, f13, 1\/1000, ISO 250, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 18-200mm VR at 60mm, natural light <\/span><\/p>\n

Before sunset some clouds rolled in that created interesting light patterns on the valley and the mountains to the west. I could see virga hanging down from the clouds in the distance. The dark clouds disappeared before sunset and soon after I fell asleep thinking about Fish Springs NWR.<\/p>\n

Virga is any form of precipitation that doesn’t reach the ground.<\/p>\n

On the road to Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"RoadRoad through the west desert of Utah on the way to Fish Springs NWR – Nikon D200, 1\/400, ISO 250, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 18-200mm VR at 18mm, natural light <\/span><\/p>\n

Morning arrived without a cloud in the sky and we headed towards Fish Springs NWR through some gorgeous country. I’ve heard other people say there is “nothing to see in the desert” but I have to disagree.<\/p>\n

I find the desert to be fascinating and there is an abundance of life that is well suited to the dry, harsh environment.<\/p>\n

The geological\u00a0history alone keeps my mind whirling and imagining what life here was like 500 thousand to a billion years ago. The area is all part of what used to be ancient Lake Bonneville and it was under water except for the highest peaks.<\/p>\n

There are areas where the benches (old shorelines) are quite visible. It is a 40 mile drive from Simpson Springs to Fish Springs all of which is on gravel roads. Be ready for the bumps.<\/p>\n

\"Mountains\u00a0Mountains on the way to Fish Springs NWR – Nikon D200, f8, 1\/350, ISO 250, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 18-200mm VR at 28mm, natural light <\/span><\/p>\n

On the road I usually have my eyes scanning the area for birds and other wildlife yet I find myself musing often about how the mountains were formed, how old they are and what creatures lived here eons ago.<\/p>\n

I think about how quiet it is there\u00a0compared to cities. When the vehicle is turned off you can hear the breeze rustling through the vegetation and that is about it.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"PonyPony Express Road to Fish Springs looking east in the morning light – Nikon D200, f8, 1\/500, ISO 250, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 18-200mm VR at 18mm, natural light <\/span><\/p>\n

For me the journey\u00a0to anywhere\u00a0is as important as arriving at\u00a0my destination. I appreciate the scenery along the way and want to etch the views into my mind as well as taking photographs of what I see. I feel that I never know if I will go to a certain place again and try to savor everything along the way.<\/p>\n

Driving up a curving pass this view looking back towards Simpson Springs is one I won’t forget, the light, the curves, the plants and mountains delighted me.<\/p>\n

\"Pronghorn\u00a0Pronghorn doe in the West Desert – Nikon D200, f6.3, 1\/640, ISO 400, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light <\/span><\/p>\n

I didn’t see nearly as many Pronghorn as I thought that I might, it shouldn’t surprise me though because of the vast area that the Pronghorns have to wander through in the West Desert, most of which is not fenced and doesn’t hinder them from meandering anywhere they desire.<\/p>\n

This doe stood still long enough for me to stop and take photos of her in the early morning light.<\/p>\n

\"PronghornPronghorn fawn on the West Desert – Nikon D200, f6.3, 1\/500, ISO 400, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light <\/span><\/p>\n

Not long after I saw the doe above we came across two fawns with the doe off in a distance. One of the fawns took off running while the other stood still then lowered its head with its rump raised.<\/p>\n

It was kind of comical, thoroughly interesting the see the behavior and endearing all at the same time.<\/p>\n

I think that\u00a0young\u00a0pronghorn are the most gorgeous of animal babies in the world (other than human babies) because of their huge dark eyes, long eye lashes and innocent gazes.<\/p>\n

I wouldn’t do it but I just want to pick them up and hug them. I do wish this one had positioned itself in better light to show off all of its stunning beauty. I had a hard time getting the exposure right and not blowing out the whites of its rump.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"WispyWispy clouds heading to Fish Springs NWR – Nikon D200, f8, 1\/800, ISO 250, Nikkor 18-200mm VR at 38mm, natural light <\/span><\/p>\n

I think I can count\u00a0five benches on the mountains in this image, they are ancient shorelines that were created when the water level of Lake Bonneville lowered over time.<\/p>\n

Lots & lots of time.<\/p>\n

It really makes me feel tiny compared to the huge expanse of land and amazement for the millions of years it took for the landscape to look the way it does now.<\/p>\n

Native Americans wandered this desert long before white man arrived, quite possibly the Paleo Archaic and Goshutes appreciated the desert as much as I do today for the beauty that is seen each direction you turn.<\/p>\n

\"AlmostAlmost to Fish Springs NWR Headquarters – Nikon D200, f18, 1\/125, ISO 250, +0.7 EV, Nikon 18-200mm VR at 34mm, natural light <\/span><\/p>\n

The soil and vegetation take on a different appearance the closer we got to Fish Springs. The soil appears finer grained and siltier while the shrubs are shorter and closer to the ground.<\/p>\n

Except for the water along the road in potholes and shallow ditches this is the first flowing water I saw along the way. It had been raining a lot in Utah for several weeks even out in the West Desert.<\/p>\n

I liked the lines of the curving water in this picture and had to stop to take photographs.<\/p>\n

At the Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Western\u00a0Western Tanager at Fish Springs NWR – Nikon D200, f6.3, 1\/1250, ISO 400, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light<\/span><\/p>\n

Around the refuge headquarters there are some taller trees and Russian Olives that appear to attract warblers and other perching birds.<\/p>\n

Near the headquarters I found this Western Tanager on a dead tree. With its lovely oranges, blacks and yellows it would be a difficult bird to misidentify.<\/p>\n

The abundant water in the refuge also helps to attract many species of birds.<\/p>\n

An oasis in the West Desert<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"OnI can’t get enough of Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge – Nikon D200, f22, 1\/80, ISO 250, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 18-200mm VR at 40mm, natural light <\/span><\/p>\n

There are five major springs that supply the water for the refuge along with several lesser springs and seeps. There are ten thousand acres of marsh in the 17,992 acres of the refuge.<\/p>\n

This photo shows me looking west and the Fish Spring Range of mountains\u00a0are in the background.<\/p>\n

The final purchase and start of construction was in 1959. During the highest water level of old Lake Bonneville the present day marshes would be under 850 feet of water.<\/p>\n

I can’t even imagine that.<\/p>\n

\"GadwallGadwall lifting off from a marshy area of Fish Springs NWR – Nikon D200, f6.3, 1\/800, ISO 400, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light<\/span><\/p>\n

The marshes are excellent habitat for ducks, swans, geese, pelicans, swans, cormorants and shorebirds such as\u00a0American\u00a0Avocets and Phalaropes.\u00a0There have been 277\u00a0species of birds that have been recorded since the refuge opened.<\/p>\n

I heard frogs croaking but never did see one and them I also noticed some kind of whelk-like snails by the hundreds on some\u00a0filamentous algae mats. I’m certain there is far more to be seen than meets the eye on a one day trip!<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"ViewView of the marshes at Fish Springs NWR with the Fish Spring Mountain Range in the background – Nikon D200, f18, 1\/100, ISO 250, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 18-200mm VR at 46mm, natural light <\/span><\/p>\n

There were a few mosquitoes that bit me on the auto tour route so next time I visit I will spray insect repellent on at the headquarters.<\/p>\n

The refuge isn’t crowded with people and photographers. There is a visitor sign in log when entering the refuge and the\u00a0most recent\u00a0visitors had signed in three days before us!<\/p>\n

We had the auto tour route to ourselves. I enjoyed that immensely because no one came along and scared the wildlife away.<\/p>\n

I’m certain there are muskrats in the refuge though I did not see any because they love marshes. I did spot one lone coyote running across a dry area of the wetlands. It wasn’t close enough though to get any quality images.<\/p>\n

\"Forster'sForster’s Tern hovering over a marsh – Nikon D200, f6.3, 1\/2000, ISO 400, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light <\/span><\/p>\n

There were plenty of gulls to be seen in the marshes along with Forster’s and Caspian Terns hovering and flying overhead.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately I wasn’t able to get a great angle of light with the Forster’s Terns we saw thus I did not get a catch light in the eye of the tern above.<\/p>\n

The terns would hover in flight and drop like rocks into the water when they spotted prey then rise up and flutter to get the water out of their feathers.<\/p>\n

\"Marshes\u00a0Marshes at Fish Springs NWR are so beautiful – Nikon D200, f18, 1\/60, ISO 250, +1.3, Nikkor 18-200mm VR at 34mm, natural light <\/span><\/p>\n

This oasis with its marshes, wetlands and the backdrop of the Fish Springs Range takes my breath away. I can easily see why people say they love it there.<\/p>\n

I would love to go back many times in different seasons just see to what it looks like and what birds are present.<\/p>\n

Part of the refuge auto tour route is closed to traffic after May 15 so that nesting birds in those locations are undisturbed, I think that ends in September but I am not absolutely certain.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"CaspianCaspian Tern in flight with the Fish Springs Mountain Range in the background – Nikon D200, f6.3, 1\/2500, ISO 400, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light <\/span><\/p>\n

I have many images of terns along the Gulf Coast having lived in Florida before moving to Utah but not a single one of those has mountains in the background so I was very pleased when I was able to photograph Caspian Terns in flight with the Fish Springs Range as a back drop.<\/p>\n

I was also happy that I was at the right angle to get a catch light in the eye of this tern.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"DreamyDreamy skies over Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge – Nikon D200, f18, 1\/250, ISO 250, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 18-200mm VR at 18 mm, natural light <\/span><\/p>\n

It was almost time to leave Fish Springs NWR for the day but I really hated to go. There is so much more there that I would like to explore.<\/p>\n

There were clouds moving in from the west and we still wanted to head west to the Deep Creek Mountains. You really don’t want to get stuck on some of those roads in a rain.<\/p>\n

\"ViewView of the Deep Creek Mountain Range west of Fish Springs NWR – Nikon D200, f18, 1\/160, ISO 250, +1.3 EV, 18-200mm VR at 22mm, natural light<\/span><\/p>\n

The Deep Creek Mountain Range<\/span><\/a> truly impressed me by rising from an extremely flat base of land then soaring upwards with the highest peak at over 12,000 feet. It is almost June and the higher country in the mountain range is still covered in snow.<\/p>\n

We drove to the small town of Callao and I do mean it is small. Not really a town, without a grocery store or even a gas station, just houses and ranches.<\/p>\n

On the way to the Deep Creeks I was reading the signs where the road split in two directions and momentarily stopped scanning the sky and surrounding country.<\/p>\n

I picked the wrong time to do that since I had missed a Golden Eagle that had been apparently perched high up on the rocks. I picked up the movement of the bird as it flew right into challenging light to get a decent shot.<\/p>\n

I did get the eagle landing on another rock with its wings and tail perfectly flared. A real shame though that the eagle was facing away from me. As I write this my bottom is still sore from the kicking I gave it.<\/p>\n

Heading towards home<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Fish\u00a0I hate to leave Fish Springs – Nikon D200, f8, 1\/750, ISO 250, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 18-200mm VR at 105mm, natural light <\/span><\/p>\n

We passed through Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge\u00a0on the way back to Simpson Springs as the clouds above started the thicken and the light began to grow worse.<\/p>\n

\"White-tailedWhite-tailed Antelope Squirrel in the West Desert of Utah – Nikon D200, f6.3, 1\/1000, ISO 400, +0.7, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light <\/span><\/p>\n

Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge easily met and exceeded my expectations of a desert oasis. The lush marshes, open water and wildlife were entrancing\u00a0plus the wide open sky and mountains adds to the charm.<\/p>\n

There is so much to see that a one day visit isn’t nearly enough. Fish Springs NWR is one of those places that will tug at\u00a0my heart to visit again.\u00a0It is indeed a treasure.<\/p>\n

Mia<\/p>\n

To view more of my photos taken at Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge click here<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge Via Simpson Springs Billowing clouds above Simpson Springs – Nikon D200, f13, 1\/320, ISO 250, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 18-200mm VR at 18mm, natural light I headed out to the west desert of Utah earlier this week to camp at Simpson Springs and journey from there to Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge, a spring-fed oasis for the wildlife in the area and as I soon found out it is also an oasis for the heart of this woman. I’m fairly familiar with Simpson Springs having been there a few times and I always love the journey to it. Simpson Springs is named after Captain J. H. Simpson who stopped there in 1858 when he was looking for a mail route from Salt Lake City to California. There was a dependable supply of fresh water from the springs there and it would later become a mail station location No. 87 for the Pony Express and the Overland Express. The Pony Express was only in operation from April 3, 1860 until October 24, 1861. In the 1930’s the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":170691,"parent":770,"menu_order":3,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2385","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/P11Mom-Ct","jetpack_sharing_enabled":false,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":27149,"url":"https:\/\/www.onthewingphotography.com\/wings\/fish-springs-national-wildlife-refuge\/","url_meta":{"origin":2385,"position":0},"title":"Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge","author":"Mia McPherson","date":"August 5, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"View of the marshes at Fish Springs NWR with the Fish Spring Mountain Range in the background, Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge, West Desert, Juab County, 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