America's Great Outdoors
File this under things you won’t see every day. Rick Kimble, a photographer and frequent visitor to San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge, caught a red fox and a gray fox vying for dominance. “I heard these two before I saw them. They were so distracted I got right up on them. When they heard the shutter they were off in a flash. I doubt I’ll ever get another chance like that.”

File this under things you won’t see every day. Rick Kimble, a photographer and frequent visitor to San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge, caught a red fox and a gray fox vying for dominance. “I heard these two before I saw them. They were so distracted I got right up on them. When they heard the shutter they were off in a flash. I doubt I’ll ever get another chance like that.”

We have posted a lot of photos from the west lately, so how about one from the east? Here is the Assateague Lighthouse with a beautiful night sky behind it in Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia. Photo: Darren Barnes 

We have posted a lot of photos from the west lately, so how about one from the east? Here is the Assateague Lighthouse with a beautiful night sky behind it in Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia.

Photo: Darren Barnes 

This Great Horned Owl has found a great place to nest in a Saguaro in Saguaro National Park.Photo: Drew Jackson

This Great Horned Owl has found a great place to nest in a Saguaro in Saguaro National Park.

Photo: Drew Jackson

Happy first day of spring everyone! We can’t think of a better way to celebrate than this cute photo from the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Complex in California.Photo: USFWS

Happy first day of spring everyone! We can’t think of a better way to celebrate than this cute photo from the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Complex in California.

Photo: USFWS

Hundreds of Bald Eagles make the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge their home during winter months. The eagles congregate near open water snatching fish with their talons and soaring to to the treetops to eat their prey.

Hundreds of Bald Eagles make the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge their home during winter months. The eagles congregate near open water snatching fish with their talons and soaring to to the treetops to eat their prey.

Pastel Sunrise Overlook of Upper Beaver Meadows, Rocky Mountain National Park, Dec. 25, 2012 Photo: VIP Hahn

Pastel Sunrise Overlook of Upper Beaver Meadows, Rocky Mountain National Park, Dec. 25, 2012 

Photo: VIP Hahn

Seney National Wildlife Refuge in Michigan was established in 1935 for the protection and production of migratory birds and other wildlife. Today the Refuge is comprised of a rich mosaic of marshes, swamps, bogs, grasslands, and forests. Nearly two-thirds of the Refuge is classified as wetland. And it’s clearly a beautiful place with a fresh coat of snow.Photo: Craig Pierzchanlski

Seney National Wildlife Refuge in Michigan was established in 1935 for the protection and production of migratory birds and other wildlife. Today the Refuge is comprised of a rich mosaic of marshes, swamps, bogs, grasslands, and forests. Nearly two-thirds of the Refuge is classified as wetland. And it’s clearly a beautiful place with a fresh coat of snow.

Photo: Craig Pierzchanlski

Dennis Davenport’s photo of a great horned owlet from Ridgefield National WIldlife Refuge in Washington was a finalist in the National Wildlife Refuge Association’s 2012 photo contest. See more amazing finalist photos here. 

Dennis Davenport’s photo of a great horned owlet from Ridgefield National WIldlife Refuge in Washington was a finalist in the National Wildlife Refuge Association’s 2012 photo contest. See more amazing finalist photos here

A black bear takes a nap in Great Smoky Mountain National Park.Photo: Charlie Choc 

A black bear takes a nap in Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

Photo: Charlie Choc 

How do bison survive the snowy Jackson Hole winters? Well, having a big head helps! Bison can use their heads as a snowplow in winter, swinging it from side to side to sweep aside the snow on the ground. Photo: National Park Service 

How do bison survive the snowy Jackson Hole winters? Well, having a big head helps! Bison can use their heads as a snowplow in winter, swinging it from side to side to sweep aside the snow on the ground. 

Photo: National Park Service