Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge

Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge

Of all the places near Fallon, Nevada Stillwater is my favorite place to go. Just 18 miles east of Fallon is a place where you can find more wildlife than you can shake a stick at. The last mile is dirt road, but well maintained. Here you will find an elivated viewing area with wheelchair access, and restrooms.

There is also an auto touring loop (maintained dirt road) that loops around one of the marsh areas. There are self guided tours with well marked trails. Some of my best selling photos have been taken here.

I suggest that you aproch the area slowly so as not to scare off the wild life more than need be. Some things you might want to bring with you are as follows.

1. Plenty of drinking water.
2. It is a marsh so plenty of bug spray.
3. shade, like a big hat or umbrela.
4. spotting scope, binoculars or camera with telephoto lens.
5. cellphone in case of emergency
The larger animals and birds will try to maintain thier distance, but if you are patient and quite they will sometimes get quite close. Early morning is the best time as the animals like to avoid the heat as much as you do. Don't be in a hurry to get from point A to point B, many of the animal you come across will be unexpected. If you are moving to fast your likely to miss them all together.

Some of the most interesting critters are very small and although driving is required to get to some places, walking is best.



damsilfly






Giant wasp

Be aware of your surroundings, watch where you are walking. I have never come across rattle snakes but I have seen black widow spiders in bushes. If you come across a snake, do not kill it. Nine times out of ten its a bull snake (non-poison) and all snakes are part of nature. Avoid the snake if you can and only kill a snake if you must A.K.A(it bites you and the doctor needs to know what kind of snake bit you.) As I said before bug spray is a good idea, not just for mosquitoes, but for ticks and other biting insects. Try not to brush up against bushes to avoid ticks and when your done visiting, check each other for ticks. If you bring your dog with you, a flea and tick collar is a must. 



Tick infested jack rabbit