Green River, Wyoming.

The Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge in Wyoming shelters a 26,400-acre ecosystem along 36 miles (58 km) of the Green River. Established in 1965 to replace wildlife habitat lost due to dam construction, the area boasts a rich history inhabited by the Shoshone people and later crossed by pioneers on the Oregon and Mormon Trails. The refuge provides a crucial water source for plants and animals in this arid region.

The name is derived from a Shoshone word that means River of the Prairie Hen. The prairie hen is more commonly known as the prairie chicken, however, on our journey through the park, we didn’t see any prairie chickens.

My friend, Fred and I traveled a short distance from his home in Green River to Seedskadee in western Sweetwater County, Wyoming. Our hopes for photographic wildlife capture and autumn landscapes were fulfilled. Despite not finding prairie chickens, our park adventure wasn’t without wildlife encounters. At one point, a small herd of pronghorn antelope darted across the road in front of our moving vehicle. We slowed down considerably to give them ample space to cross. Luckily, from the passenger seat, I managed to snap a photo through the windshield.

In researching for this article, I found a few facts about pronghorns that I didn’t know. For example, despite their common name, pronghorns aren’t actually true antelopes. They are the sole surviving member of the Antilocapridae family and surprisingly their closest living relatives are giraffes and okapis!

Pronghorns are the fastest land mammal in North America, reaching speeds of up to 55 mph (88.5 km/h). They can outrun predators in their open grassland habitat, however, they still can get caught. While wolves, cougars, bears, and even eagles might occasionally hunt them, coyotes are the most frequent predators.

Their speed isn’t their only defense. Pronghorns have exceptional vision, with eyes as large as some elephant species. This sharp eyesight allows them to spot threats from miles away, helping them avoid encounters with predators.

Standing before a lone tree, I framed the shot, not even noticing the bird sitting in the tree. Suddenly, a movement caught my eye in the viewfinder. Reacting quickly with the camera still in bracketing mode, I clicked the shutter. Luckily, the three exposures captured the bird in different wing positions for me to choose from. Normally I would have used the bracketed shots to create a high dynamic range (HDR) image, however, merging them into HDR wouldn’t work due to the bird’s motion and changing wing shape. So, I opted for the image with the most impressive wingspread. Luminar Neo helped me save the shot. Neo’s Supersharp tool tackled the bird’s motion blur, and I lowered the exposure from the original +1 EVO setting. Finally, Enhanced AI restored the definition in the sky that had been washed out by overexposure.

The landscape defined autumn in a vibrant tapestry as we neared the banks of the Green River. Clouds were definitely rolling in and the blue sky was waning. Eventually, my images would be captured under a cloudy sky. Though it appears from this gallery that we were the only people around, we passed a few vehicles parked by the river, their occupants fishing or capturing the beauty of the wildlife in the refuge.

As we approached the river, our journey was interrupted by a curious sight. A long wooden fence stretched from the water’s edge towards the nearby hills. Its purpose defined a mystery to us. There were no signs of a corral nearby, so it likely functioned as a simple boundary marker, perhaps demarcating a previous rancher’s property line.

Driving away from the riverbank, our journey continued along a road that hugged the base of a towering ridge. Its unusual form was a testament to the relentless forces of nature. Millennia of erosion, sculpted by the powerful river and scouring winds, had stripped away the softer rock, exposing the harder layers beneath.

While exploring the ridge, I came to a point where I wanted a closer look at the curve. However, I noticed the ground near the edge might be unstable. Prioritizing safety, I used the curvature to my advantage, kept a good distance back, and used my zoom lens to capture the fascinating curve and its interesting detail. Although the photos might make it seem like I was right at the edge, rest assured I was on solid ground throughout.

From the lone tree standing sentinel in the desert to the vibrant autumn colors framing the Green River, Seedskadee was drawn to capture the refuge’s beauty. I captured many more images than I shared in the post. You can find them in 2KHD via my Flickr album here.

The mysterious fence by the riverbank sparked our curiosity, prompting us to ponder its history and role in the larger landscape. The towering ridge, sculpted by time and the elements, served as a powerful reminder of the Earth’s ever-changing story.

Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge is more than just a refuge; it’s a reminder of the importance of conservation and of the awe-inspiring power of nature. I owe a debt of gratitude to Fred for introducing me to this national reserve. Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast, photographer, or simply someone who appreciates the outdoors, Seedskadee is a place that will leave a lasting impression. Best of all, there is no fee to enter the refuge.

John Steiner

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