On the trail: Cruising the refuge's Wildlife Drive

We are deep into the dog days of summer. I was reminded of that after a hike to Heron Pond last week. This time of the year the woods can definitely be buggy and muggy. There are few forest birds singing. There aren't many woodland flowers in bloom. And many of the waterfalls and creeks have slowed to a trickle.

So, this week I'm taking a hiking break and highlighting the Wildlife Drive at Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge.

I'm actually a big fan of this drive and have cruised it dozens of times over the years, often touring friends and family from out of town. And it's interesting in every season.

When my wife's family from The Bahamas visits, they love "motor safaris" on the Wildlife Drive. Their favorite wildlife sightings, by far, are of the whitetail deer, which they don't have in The Bahamas.

Less common Illinois "big game" can be seen along the Wildlife Drive, too. I have watched coyotes in the fields and even had a bobcat saunter across the road right in front of my car. A beaver sighting is also possible.

When it comes to birds on the Wildlife Drive, wild turkeys are definitely a highlight. These normally shy birds often forage along the road. Other big birds that you can see in the wetlands and on the lake include herons and egrets, bald eagles, and in the right season, rafts of migratory ducks and flocks of white pelicans.

Logistically, it's important to note that you need a day pass or vehicle sticker to drive on the refuge. You can purchase a day pass for $2 at the Visitor Center, but the best bet is to buy an annual vehicle sticker for just $15 (valid July through June).

Of course, the best time to be out and about looking for wildlife is at dusk and dawn, but I recently cruised the Wildlife Drive in the middle of the day and still had several great wildlife sightings.

Wildlife has become accustomed to traffic on the Wildlife Drive, so your vehicle actually serves as an effective blind from which to get great views and potentially great pictures of wildlife.

However, there are opportunities to get out of your vehicle, stretch your legs, and scan fields, wetlands, and the lake for some of the shier animals.

There is also a short trail to explore that is a mowed path through a prairie restoration across from the Pigeon Creek Recreation Area.

Honestly, this time of the year, prairie flowers and butterflies probably provide the biggest bang for your outdoor buck. And the big swallowtail butterflies will almost always eventually pose for a great picture.

Needless to say, we are lucky to have the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge in our backyard. And while many folks only fish or hunt on the Refuge, a "motor safari" on the Wildlife Drive can provide nature lovers some soul-satisfying looks at and great pictures of our southern Illinois wildlife.

Mike Baltz has a PhD in biology from the University of Missouri and writes about changing the world from his home in Carbondale.