Grandfather Mountain looms over the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina, frosted in the white and blue shades of winter. Thought to be one of the oldest mountains in the Appalachians, Grandfather Mountain’s imposing size forced engineers to develop a difficult solution to completing the Parkway. Linn Cove Viaduct carries the road over the shoulder of this wonderful mountain, preserving its unique geology and providing stunning views. Photo courtesy of Jim Ruff.
Established in 1915, Rocky Mountain is one of the nation’s highest national parks. With elevations from 7,860 feet to 14,259 feet, the park makes you feel like you are on top of the world. It is home to 77 mountain peaks over 12,000 feet high and the Continental Divide, which runs north to south through the park. Explore more cool facts about this Colorado park: https://on.doi.gov/2DwCfZ8. Photo of Longs Peak reflected in Bear Lake by Steve Perry (www.sharetheexperience.org).
The craggy arms of a large, red mangrove stretch out to greet the morning sun at Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges Complex. Rising above the water line on aerial prop roots and thriving on tropical coastlines, mangroves provide shelter for plants and animals. They’re just one of the many interesting sights you’ll see near the continental United States’s southernmost point. Photo by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
In many parts of the country, it’s rare to catch a glimpse of a bald eagle, but imagine seeing scores of them in a single day. Welcome to Lake Coeur d’Alene in the winter! With a plentiful supply of spawned-out kokanee salmon, this lake is a favorite wintering spot for eagles. From November to February each year, the Bureau of Land Management records the eagle migration – a record 240 eagles were spotted in just one day in 2013. The spectacle becomes a regional attraction, with activities, tours and boat rides on the lake. Photo by Bureau of Land Management, @mypubliclands
Interior employees are happy to be back at work, welcoming visitors to America’s public lands like Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. A half inch of rain two weeks ago brought relief and a rainbow to this wildlife refuge in southwest Arizona. Running down the Kofa Mountains and spreading across the Sonoran Desert, the water was quickly sucked up by towering saguaro cacti, spiky prickly pears and rare fan palm trees. The refuge was established in 1939 following a campaign of local Boy Scouts hoping to preserve habitat for desert bighorn sheep. Their dream really did come true. Photo by Tom Brown, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service volunteer.
Add Bodie Hills to your travel bucketlist for its wildflowers, wildlife and a one-of-a-kind ghost town. California’s Eastern Sierra region is a dramatic transition zone between the snow-capped granite spires of the Sierra Nevada and the endless sagebrush covered uplands of the Great Basin. A trip at the right time of year will reward visitors with a diversity of wildflowers. Because of their high elevation, wildflower blooms are later here than much of California – typically arriving in May-June on the lower slopes and into July on the highest peaks. Pictured here is the “Dry Lakes Plateau” where ephemeral lakes fill with snowmelt. Photo by Bob Wick, Bureau of Land Management, @mypubliclands
The Niobrara Valley in Nebraska is home to Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge and 76 miles of the Niobrara National Scenic River. The valley boasts dramatic bluffs, gorgeous waterfalls, world-class fossil resources, rich forests, wide grasslands and incredible wildlife diversity. Over 350 bison live on the refuge, letting visitors enjoy iconic scenes like this sunset. Photo by Kristen Maxfield, National Park Service.
The Potomac River roars over rocks and ice in this winter shot from Great Falls Park in Virginia. A short drive from downtown Washington, D.C., Great Falls and Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park on the opposite bank in Maryland offer terrific outdoor recreation. Locals will tell you, it’s home to some of the best views and hiking in the area. Be sure to obey all signs and stay away from the falls. Photo by National Park Service.
A purple and pink winter sunrise paints the sky at Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge in Montana. It’s a scene Charles M. Russell would have enjoyed. The refuge was named in recognition of this colorful western artist who often portrayed the refuge’s landscape in his paintings. Along with the stunning scenery and amazing wildlife, the refuge boasts a fantastic history that includes mountain men, Native Americans and dinosaurs. Photo by Mary Jo Hill, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
As we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, we remember his message of unity and service. One of the most influential people in our history, Dr. King’s legacy continues to inspire. At the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial on the National Mall and Memorial Parks in Washington, D.C., 14 quotes focusing on justice, democracy, hope and love surround the statue of him. Located a short walk from the Lincoln Memorial where Dr. King gave his famous “I Have A Dream” speech, it’s a powerful and enlightening place. Photo by Jim Evangelista (http://ift.tt/18oFfjl).
Sig Nordal 