We entered South Dakota on 6-13-13 and stayed in the heart of the scenic Black Hills.
South Dakota - June, 2013
We entered Wyoming on the 26th of May and our first stop was at the spectacular Grand Teton National Park. From our CaWe entered Wyoming on the 26th of May and our first stop was at the spectacular Grand Teton National Park. From our Campground outside of Jackson we captured these looks of Black-billed Magpies and the abundant Yellow-rumped Warblers.mpground outside of Jackson we captured these looks of Black-billed Magpies and the abundant Yellow-rumped Warblers.
From our campsite in Keystone we saw Blue Jays, Wild Turkeys, Western Wood Pewees and others.
We also went on a wonderful wilderness drive around Custer State Park. While slowly moving through the woods we heard and found a Plumbeous Vireo. This was a first of 2 year (FO2Y) bird. Also we came upon great looks of these four birds.
We also went on a wonderful wilderness drive around Custer State Park. While slowly moving through the woods we heard and found a Plumbeous Vireo. This was a first of 2 year (FO2Y) bird. Also we came upon great looks of these four birds.
From our Campground outside of Jackson we captured these looks of Black-billed Magpies and the abundant Yellow-rumped Warblers.
On the 18th we moved onto Oahe Downstream Recreation Area outside of Pierre, SD. Here from our Campsite and along the Cottonwood Trail we really started to notice the transition to more eastern birds. Great-crested Flycatcher, Red-headed and Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Blue Grosbeak, and Orchard Oriole were added to the year’s list. We even saw both Eastern and Western Kingbirds just a few feet apart on the same branch of a tree.
On our drive toward Fargo, “Don’t you know” we saw 6 live (and one not so much) Ring-necked Pheasants as well as Blue-winged Teal, Northern Shovelers, Redheads, and a Common Nighthawk. We also caught a glimpse of what might be a lifer in an Upland Sandpiper with it's "Dove-like" head and expression. This lifer was confirmed later that evening while heading to dinner. Yeah Baby!
From and near our campground we spied some good birds including our best ever looks at an American Redstart which “start”led us by landing on the road right in front of us.
North Dakota
The highlight of this stop was an early morning outing around the Sheyenne National Grasslands. Not far into it we came upon my second lifer of the stop... a Sharp-tailed Grouse!
We also had superb looks at several other birds including numerous Bobolinks with their “backwards” colored head and bodies.
Lastly, we'd heard that American Bitterns were common in the Grasslands but it wasn’t until near the end of our morning that we came upon this one who studied us carefully while showing off its breakfast.
The Tiger Salamander never had a chance!
The Tiger Salamander never had a chance!
Next up....
Minnesota!
Minnesota!
Tree Swallow
Killdeer
Mountain Bluebird male (by Deborah)
Mountain Bluebird female (by Deborah)
Great-crested Flycatcher
Red-headed Woodpecker
Marbled Godwit
Upland Sandpiper
American Redstart
Baltimore Oriole
A very red House Finch
Red-eyed Vireo
Sharp-tailed Grouse
Bobolink
Wilson's Snipe
Savannah Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Clay colored Sparrow
Blue-winged Teal
Western Meadowlark