The Refuge | J.Reznicek Photography of The Beauty Around Us

Below Crab Eyes in the more rugged western portion called Charons Gardens,a charred tree trunk stands as a silent witness to a wildfire that tore through this area just a few months before.
(November 17, 2012)

Native cobblestones are a common building material in the Refuge. Here, they frame a vacant window in an abandoned structure near the Visitor Center.

Lumbering across the grassland, an American Bison bull is an imposing sight in the Refuge.

Across the road from Prarie Dog Town, American Bison graze on the verdant, vibrant Refuge grasslands. (May 12th, 2012)

Kayak-view near the dam at Lake Elmer Thomas.

Springtime riot of colors as Indian Blankets, Tickseed, False Garlic, and other blooms sway in the Oklahoma breeze atop Elk Mountain. (May 29, 2016)

On the north side of Mt. Scott, Wax Goldenweed competes for attention with fluorescent lichen growing on Scott's granite walls. (September 4th, 2016)

Sumac leaves put on their fall colors on Sunset Trail near Elk Mountain.

While exploring a section of Charons Gardens i Had never visited, I came around Lost Dome to find a group of rappellers tackling the sheer southern wall of the Dome. A true display of grit, grace, strength, and stamina. One of over shots I took at the site! (October 6th, 2019)

While exploring a section of Charons Gardens i Had never visited, I came around Lost Dome to find a group of rappellers tackling the sheer southern wall of the Dome. A true display of grit, grace, strength, and stamina. One of over shots I took at the site! (October 6th, 2019)

Friendly little lizard sunning on the Quanah Parker Dam.

A tenacious shrub hangs on for life beneath the rushing overflow at Lost Lake Dam. (May 12, 2012)

The Refuge's ubiquitous grasslands seen through the window of an abandoned homestead near Jed Johnson Lake.(April 15, 2011)

The gentle rain that coerced me down off Elk Mountain creates visual whispers on Sunset pool. (October 3, 2009)

Life and death on the western flanks of Elk Mountain. I photographed this scene on my first climb up the mountain, and was taken with the contrast of the fluid shapes against the ragged trees, and was also intrigued by the foreshadowing presented by the bleached out tree branches beneath the live tree.