Wilson's Phalarope

Our visit to Rockport,Texas this spring provided new experiences as well as new life birds. On this first day of April we were visiting The Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center in Port Aransas.  I want to encourage you to visit this center if you are in the area. I have visited several times in my life and have never been disappointed.  During migration opportunities abound for viewing species passing across the Texas Coast.  There is a raised boardwalk and observation tower halfway down the boardwalk.  The boardwalk provides a panoramic view of the pond and surrounding flats.  This day, a fellow birder shared a sight he had witnessed as he drove the road toward the center.  A large water filled flat on the right side of the road driving toward the center proved to be an awesome sight for him and for us. The birder believed he had seen the Red-necked Phalarope.  We quickly drove down to check this out.  The birds were actually Wilson's Phalarope.  These were life birds for us.   My heart smiles as I remember watching the Phalarope spinning like tops. The wind was so strong that day. I found it very difficult to keep the camera still.  I was determined to capture these moments and I did. The Phalarope create small whirlpools as they spin.  The whirlpools pull food to the surface where they can pick it up with their long slender bills.  Once again, I am reminded that the natural world may present some new sight for our eyes and senses at any given moment. Blessings to You!

Feeding Our Winter Birds

I find feeding the birds in the winter very rewarding.  As natural food sources deplete in the area, many more birds show themselves at the feeders .  We offer food for our winter friends in hanging feeders, on the ground, suet stuck in holes in cedar snag, suet on bark of tree, peanuts in a feeder and if we are blessed to have a Hummingbird stay the winter, nectar.  I have found that you can attract your birds to many type feeders.  It may take a few days for them to adjust to a new source. Plan to be consistent in your offering and be patient. The suet I make in the winter is popular with nearly all the birds. Our Hermit Thrush, shy as they are, also love the suet.  I have seen them get very comfortable being out in the open to eat it. The American Goldfinch and Pine-Siskin are very eager seed eaters.  We have a tough time keeping them in seed all winter. Each year is unique in which birds spend time in your yard.  We try to offer a variety of food and hope new birds will be attracted to spend time here.  Blessings!

South Dakota's Custer State Park Bison Roundup and The Needles Highway

Yes, I know I have said this before, Custer State Park is amazing.  The park allows its visitors to get close to nature at its best.  The wildlife is abundant and the scenery outstanding.  This park is in the beautiful Black Hills of western South Dakota.  It is the home to one of the world's largest publicly-owned bison herds. The pronghorn antelope, deer, turkey, bighorn sheep, elk, and mountain goats are seen in the park. 

The Needles Highway is a beautiful 14 mile drive through pine and Spruce  forests, meadows surrounded by Aspen and Birch and rugged granite mountains. We drove this road with its beautiful granite formations leading us to the Needles Eye.  This opening was created by wind, rain, freezing and thawing. I must say that we loved and enjoyed every moment spent here.

Each fall cowboys and cowgirls and park crew saddle up to bring in the Bison herd.  The roundup is held the last Friday in September and is open to the public.  The roundup is part of Custer State Park's management plan.  The park usually sorts and sells about 200 bison.  Some will be sold at auction in November.  While the bison are in corrals park staff will vaccinate the new members of the herd, brand the new calves and check the cows for pregnancy. It will usually take about four days to work the entire herd.  You will see in my photos that we were blessed to be in the park on a September day when the bison were being herded .  This was unexpected for us and of course we were thrilled.  I enjoy sharing the excitement with you!  Blessings!