A Room with a View

A Room with a View. . , Fire towers like this were once erected all across the country to help spot wildfires before they got out of control. This tower is 110 feet tall with 133 steps to the top-not for the faint of heart! , Into the Trees , As you climb to the first landing, you will be in the lower level of the trees. At the second, you will reach the tree tips and the realm of birds. On the third landing, you will begin to see the lakes that surround the Refuge. , Picture Inset , Woodlands often grow around large prairie lakes where they get needed moisture and are protected from prairie fires. Large trees located near water provide the ideal nestling conditions for wood ducks. , Above the Birds , By the fourth landing, your heart will beat faster and you will feel the effort in your legs. Now above the tree line, the view opens up and you may see birds flying below your. As you frise above the protection of th e trees, you will feel the full force of the wind. At the fifth landing, you have a 360-degree view. It is breathtaking to be so high and see so much sky and water. , To the Top! , When you climb the last step, you will be far above the trees and at the level of soaring pelicans. On clear days, you can make out the water towers of Waubay and Webster, as well as see the evidence of high water levels and the ribbon of road to get to this island. The view is stunning and changes wit the weather and the seasons. From the top, the Refuge looks quite small-just a piece of a much larger landscape. , Picture Inset , A regal fritillary gets a meal from a purple coneflower. The Refuge is home to a diversity of birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. , Go Exploring! , Waubay National Wildlife Refuge protects woodlands, tallgrass prairie, and numerous wetlands. Check out the trails to get an up close experience on the Refuge. , Where Wildlife Comes First , Waubay National Wildlife Refuge is part of the National Wildlife Refuge System. With more than 560 refuges, the Refuge System is a premier national network of lands dedicated to America's fish, wildlife, and plants. There is at least one Refuge in every state! , Picture Inset , Dewdrops hang form blades of switchgrass. Grasslands change with the seasons, often bursting with colorful wildflowers. , Picture Inset , The panoramic view from the top of the fire tower provides a spectacular scene of the Refuge and the landscape beyond.