Deep Fork NWR, Okmulgee, Oklahoma: Seasonal flooding of the muddy meandering Deep Fork River creates the richly productive bottomland hardwood ecosystem that is Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge. Pecan, elm, cottonwood, sycamore, black walnut, shumard oak, bur oak, pin oak, and hackberry flourish in soils replenished and fertilized by floodwaters. The swamp rabbit, which has disappeared from much of its range, is common here, as are the bright yellow and blue prothonotary warblers, kingfishers, wood ducks, beaver, gray and fox squirrels, herons, and egrets. Four of Oklahoma’s species of special concern are found at this refuge: Bell’s vireo, alligator snapping turtles, river otters, and the northern scarlet snake. Because this is a fairly new refuge, visitor facilities are scarce. However, there are a number of parking areas for wildlife observation and photography, and the refuge is open for hunting and fishing and limited boating (only those vessels that can be launched from steep riverbanks).
Hide.
