Planning for a vacation is an exciting time for everyone, whether it’s for one or for a family. For some, it happens once a year, for those lucky ones, it happens more often, either way, thinking where to go and when to go is fun to do. What is not as exciting is the actually planning and getting everything ready, as far as searching for the right location, how to get there, the cost,  or wondering if the hotel or resort will be as nice as it looks on the web. All of this is stressful - after working hard and wanting to relax, the last thing anyone wants is to have a lousy vacation.

Hooray for America's nature. One big reason it's there to treasure: the National Wildlife Refuge System, the world's premier network of public lands devoted to wildlife conservation. The Refuge System turns 113 on March 14.

Wait! Think before you aim that camera at a national wildlife refuge. It may be habit-forming. That’s been true for four standout nature photographers – each hooked on prowling a favorite refuge in hopes of locking eyes with a bird or fox, capturing light and color, and probing the mystery of our animal natures.
 

A frolicsome sea otter, noisy (and stinky) sea lions, and hundreds of migrating pelicans were among the first inhabitants to greet us as the Elkhorn Slough Safari (a 27 ft. pontoon boat) motored slowly away from the harbor.