When visitors stop by the @usfws Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Louisiana, they are immediately captivated by the tranquility of the lake.  

Whether you want to take in the sites or take home a fish, the lake is the heart of the refuge.

Pic courtesy of Emily Coady. Photo description: Trees and lily pads abound in a swampy lake as a rainbow peeks through the dark clouds above

“Double Rainbow! What does it mean?”

Rainbows aren’t the only color you’ll find in John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. Colorful rock formations preserve a world-class record of plant and animal evolution and ecosystems that span 40M years. Pic by Chris Preperato (ShareTheExperience.org). #Oregon 

As far as we know, there’s no pot of gold at Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuge, but there are other treasures. Tiny Key deer frolic among tropical plants and alligators bask in the sunlight. In February, wintering birds are everywhere. Enjoying the southern warmth before their spring migration, brown pelicans, egrets, herons and teals add color and song to this enchanting refuge. Visitors can admire the wide variety of wildlife as they roam the forests, wetlands and shorelines, but please remember to respect the animals and keep your distance. Photo by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

It turns out, the golden views at Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge are what you find at the end of the rainbow. This Colorado wildlife refuge offers glimpses of both the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and Great Sand Dunes National Park in the distance. The auto-tour route between April and early fall allows a drive, in solitude, amongst wetlands home to dozens of bird species. Along the Rio Grande River Trail, you will see a wide variety of habitats, from lush grasses to dense stands of willow, to towering cottonwood trees. Photo courtesy of Patricia Henschen.

It’s easy to see why America’s public lands are called national treasures, with stunning views like this shot at Yellowstone National Park! While we can’t promise you’ll find a pot of gold at the end of every rainbow, you might find a bison 😀. Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Photo courtesy of Christina Adele Warburg. 

Happy Father’s Day! There’s nothing better than sharing a special moment with dad on your public lands. Rick Scalf and his dad were photographing sunrise at Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado when a rainbow started to appear. “We began shooting the scene in true amazement as this complete rainbow unfolded before our eyes.” Photo by Rick Scalf (www.sharetheexperience.org).

Happy #StPatricksDay! We can’t promise a pot of gold at the end of this double rainbow over Lake Superior, but it’s sure to be an amazing experience at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan. The lake creates dynamic weather, and the area is the second-cloudiest region of the U.S – spring is one of the few seasons when the park has clear skies. Whether there’s clouds, rainbows or blue skies, the view is sure to be enchanting. Photo by Steve Perry (www.sharetheexperience.org).

Happy 125th birthday to Yosemite National Park! On this day in 1890, Congress created Yosemite, which is best known for its towering granite monoliths and breathtaking waterfalls. Pictured here is Yosemite Valley – the late afternoon sun created a rainbow in Bridalveil Falls. Photo by Perry Foutch (www.sharetheexperience.org).

Uncle Tom’s Trail in Yellowstone National Park: a great place to catch your breath.

Photo: National Park Service

A severe thunderstorm cell ignited some new fires this week in Crater Lake National Park, but at least it also provided a delightful side effect. To answer some posters’ questions, this photograph has not been retouched or enhanced in any way.

Photo: National Park Service