Eared Grebe

On May 29, 2021May 7, 2021 By Mike and Christy2 Comments

An Eared Grebe in early season plumage gets ready to move across the pond. Maybe it’s those red eyes but I would not want to find myself alone in a dark alley with a flock of these birds.

American White Pelican: Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

On May 23, 2021May 7, 2021 By Mike and Christy4 Comments

An American White Pelican enjoying a wonderful spring sunset high in the Rocky Mountains. The grass is just greening up around the edges of the lake but the Pelicans have arrived on their way to the boreal forests where many breed. A sure sign summer is on it’s way.

Pasque morning

On May 22, 2021May 7, 2021 By Mike and Christy2 Comments

This is the time of year for the magnificent Pasqueflowers to bloom and brighten the hillsides, forests and meadows near town.

These flowers are part of the genus Pulsitilla family which contains numerous species spread across the globe and are the state flower of South Dakota. We noticed two distinct species while on a recent walk with both growing along the sunny hillsides and one growing just about everywhere in both sun and shade.

Hope we can get back out before they are done blooming and wishing you all a Pasque morning.

Breathing

On May 20, 2021 By Mike and Christy3 Comments

Tides and clouds rolling in and out. Breathing.

When the going is good…

On May 18, 2021May 18, 2021 By Mike and Christy1 Comment

… the good get going. Or in this case eating and that is exactly what they Yellow-headed Blackbird was doing this afternoon. Feasting on the fresh hatch of midges that seemingly coated the tall Phragmites. While Phragmites grasses make for a nice backdrop in photos most are non-native species which are invasive in wetlands all across the United States. Many non-native Phragmites outcompete native marsh vegetation and provides little or no food for most marsh-dependent wildlife.

On the banks of the green

On May 16, 2021May 7, 2021 By Mike and Christy2 Comments

On the banks of the Green River looking back at time.

The fresh green of spring heralds another year has passed while the rocks have a greater story to tell.

New

On May 15, 2021May 7, 2021 By Mike and Christy2 Comments

Join me in welcoming a new baby Killdeer to this wonderful world of ours.

Hiding in the tall grass we spotted just a hint of movement as we went by and low and behold we found this guy along with his siblings zipping to and fro exploring their new surrounding. He posed for a quick portrait and them hustled back to the clan. All was good in the grass along the ditch.