Nothing Could Be Finer...

Carolina Chickadee trying to open a sunflower seed

I usually remember exactly where I saw a new bird species. In November 2004 I saw my first Carolina Chickadees at Martin Park Nature Center in Oklahoma City, and at first I was not even aware I was looking at Carolina Chickadees. My son and I were observing birds at the bird feeders there and watching the chickadees coming and going. After a few minutes I began to think there was something wrong with the chickadees. They looked like the Black-capped Chickadees we have up north, but they were behaving just a little odd. That's when I stepped back and read the large sign board that is pictured below. I noticed that the first bird listed was Carolina Chickadee. DUH! No wonder they looked different. They were different! I had been watching a new life bird for several minutes and didn't even know it.

Sign at Martin Park Nature Center in Oklahoma City

Well, last week I was in Oklahoma City, so I made the effort to go to Martin Park Nature Center to see if I could find some Carolina Chickadees in the place I first saw them 5 years ago. Sure enough, they were still there...and the sign was still there, too. So, sing with me: "Nothing could be finer than to see a Carolina in the morning!"

Close-up of Martin Park sign

Bird Devotional 43

Clark’s Nutcracker, Nucifraga columbiana

“In the top basket were all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating them out of the basket on my head.” Genesis 40:17

In bold letters the sign proclaimed, “PLEASE DO NOT FEED THE ANIMALS.” Then, just in case that admonition were not clear enough, in smaller print it stated, “This includes birds, chipmunks, squirrels and other wildlife.” My wife and I were standing at a scenic overlook on the Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park. Directly in front of that sign, a mother and young son were feeding potato chips and bits of bread to a group of Clark’s Nutcrackers. The nutcrackers had no concern about the sign, and apparently the mother and son had no concern about it either. I am a legalist, however, and though I tried to coax one of the nutcrackers into range so my wife could take a picture of me with the bird, it quickly figured out there was no free lunch involved and hopped off to greener pastures.

Clark’s Nutcracker, a relative of jays and crows, is known in the western mountains as “camp robber” due to its habit of stealing food from campsites and picnic baskets. They are gray, with black wings, white outer tail feathers and a black, spike-like bill. This nutcracker is named for Captain William Clark, who first described it in his journal in 1805.

In today’s verse from the Book of Genesis, Joseph is in prison and listening to Pharaoh’s chief baker describe a dream he had about birds and a basket of bread. Joseph interprets that dream, and within three days Pharaoh executes the baker. It is not a pretty story. It reminds us of the sacrifices offered by Cain and Abel. Abel’s sacrifice involved the shedding of blood; Cain’s was a mere offering of grain. Abel’s sacrifice was accepted by God; Cain’s was not. In the same way, Jesus is the acceptable sacrifice through the shedding of His blood. The sacrifice of Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice. And yet, God does describe sacrifices He expects from us: "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise" (Genesis 51:17). In essence, what God wants from us is a heart that is repentant. His blood, combined with our repentant heart enables us to live our lives as Saint Paul described: “Living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship” (Romans 12:1). Anything less is like the basket of baked goods that was acceptable only for feeding the birds, but cost the chief baker his life.

Father, I thank you for sacrificing for me through the blood of your Son. Today I offer to you my broken spirit and my contrite heart. Help me to live my life as a living sacrifice for you. Amen.

Great-tailed Grackles

Great-tailed Grackle Male

You can put the Great-tailed Grackle on the list of those birds whose males and females are quite different in appearance.

Great-tailed Grackle Female

Seeing Stars

"The stars will fall from the sky." Mark 13:25

European Starlings, Sturnus vulgaris

Starlings are solid bluish-black in their summer breeding plumage. However, when winter comes they change over to the coloration from which they have derived their name. The birds above show pale, dark spots all over their bodies, resembling a starry night-time sky. Hence: starling.

Give Thanks

In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

"Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:5-7

California Gull Reprise

California Gull, Larus californicus

When I saw this California Gull yesterday on LaFramboise Island in Pierre, I was reminded of a favorite blog post from last March. If you haven't been reading this blog that long, here it is.

Common Goldeneyes

"Every kind of bird, male and female,

to keep their various kinds alive throughout the earth."

Genesis 7:3

Common Goldeneye, male

Common Goldeneyes are beginning to show up in the Pierre area. Some of them will stay around all winter in areas of open water. These two photos show the extreme difference in appearance between the male and female Common Goldeneye. In fact, about the only similarities I see are the overall shape of the birds and those signature "golden" eyes.

Common Goldeneye, females

Falco Mexicanus

Prairie Falcon, Falco mexicanus

On Saturday I spotted this Prairie Falcon at the edge of the Fort Pierre National Grasslands. Even from a distance you can identify the bird as a Prairie Falcon by several key indicators: the prairie habitat; the general outline of the bird's shape; the long tail; the coloration; and upon close inspection, the black "mustache stripe." Prairie Falcons breed throughout much of western North America, but their breeding habitat in South Dakota is limited to rocky cliffs in the extreme western part of the state. In the winter they move farther east into the Great Plains, and are a common sight in central South Dakota.

Bird Devotional 42

Bald Eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31

I stopped at an interstate rest area in Minnesota because I had found good birds there in the past. In the springtime I had seen Indigo Buntings and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks; in the summer there were Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers and Baltimore Orioles. This was January, however, and I was not sure I would find any birds at all. I took a short, brisk walk to a place overlooking the Root River and spotted a Bald Eagle soaring in the distance. The majestic bird slowly worked its way closer, and eventually flew past at eye level not more than fifty feet from where I was standing – close enough that I could see each individual feather. When the eagle disappeared beyond the trees I realized why the Founding Fathers chose the eagle over the turkey as the national emblem: the bird is simply magnificent.

Isaiah must have had a similar experience with eagles. He used the strength and vigor of eagles as a way of explaining how we can receive strength from God: “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:29-31). The key to having the strength and vitality of an eagle is placing your hope in the Lord. The Bible describes hope differently from the way we often understand the word. Hope in God is not tenuous, uncertain or wishful. God’s hope is certain and secure. Paul wrote to Timothy: “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment” (1 Timothy 6:17). Make God your hope and you, too, will soar like an eagle.

Lord, as I put my hope in you, I trust you to strengthen and renew me and to supply all my needs. Amen.

Ripe for Harvest

Black oil sunflower seeds ready for harvest

Sunflowers are a major crop in parts of central South Dakota. This field south of Pierre looks about ready for the harvest crew. A large portion of the crop will be packaged for wild bird food.

Oh, boy! Keep those sunflower seeds coming!

Welcome to Pierre

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Hey! I heard the South Dakota Ornithologists' Union is meeting this weekend in Pierre, just a few blocks down the hill from my feeder! I love ornithologists. They are so utterly watchable, with their odd behavior and all their exotic equipment. I find them much more interesting than ordinary humans. I get a big kick out of it when they play a recording of one of my relatives singing. They really think we don't know the difference! I hope some of those ornithologists come looking for me while they're here--I could use a few laughs. Well, I've got a seed to hack open. See you later.

Walmart Whitetail

Whitetail buck in the Pierre Walmart parking lot!

Yesterday was a good day for mammals-- not birds. I saw 28 pronghorn antelopes in the morning. Then after a stop at the local Walmart on the way home from work, I saw this nice six point buck sauntering through the parking lot. I snapped this picture as he was heading in the direction of the truck bypass and the Pierre Mall across the street. I hope the deer made it out of the congested area and back to where he belongs.

Tribe of Antelopes

28 pronghorn antelopes

This morning I saw this group of 28 pronghorn antelopes on the Crow Creek Sioux Indian Reservation in Buffalo County, South Dakota. After a little research, I discovered that collective nouns for antelopes include herd, cluster, tribe and bay. Because of where I saw them, I'm calling this group a tribe of antelopes.

Ugly Eagles

Immature Bald Eagles: 1st year on left; 3rd year on right

Even our national bird, the beautiful Bald Eagle, goes through its "ugly duckling" phase. Bald Eagles acquire their iconic adult plumage in the fourth year of life. In the first three years they can be identified and aged in different ways. The two eagles pictured above exhibit feathers typical of first year and third year birds. They don't look very majestic sitting there in the mud eating dead fish, do they?

Distant Redneck

Distant grebes: Western Grebe left; Red-necked Grebe right

Yesterday I drove a little way north of Pierre where Red-necked Grebes had been seen the previous afternoon. That would be a new life bird, so I was anxious to see them. I found a small group of grebes swimming some distance off shore. A close inspection through my scope revealed that four of them were Western Grebes, but one was slightly smaller and held its head differently. When it would turn in just the right way, I could see that its neck was much darker than the Western Grebes. Later, an examination of several field guides confirmed that I had indeed seen a Red-necked Grebe. Birds are so much more enjoyable when you see them close up, but sometimes you just settle for what you can get.

Bird Devotional 41

Blue jay, Cyanocitta cristata

“Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen.” Amos 5:23

My earliest memory of blue jays is from my boyhood backyard when I was quite young. I remember watching a pair of birds making their raucous “jaay, jaay” calls, and my mother telling me they were blue jays. She said they were “kind of bad birds” and referred to their noisy calls as “scolding”—some of the harshest comments she ever made about any living thing. My Mother never cared much for blue jays because of their bossy character and their reputation for eating the eggs and young of other birds. On the other hand, I have always been enamored by the beautiful, blue and white, crested birds, and seem able to overlook their bad traits. There is no question these birds are noisy. In addition to the loud, persistent “jay” calls for which blue jays are named, they also make a more musical, “tweedly, tweedly” toy car horn-like sound.

Today’s Bible verse, “Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen,” could certainly be applicable to blue jays. I have wanted to yell at them in that fashion myself a few times. The verse is actually part of a prophecy given by God to the prophet, Amos. God is speaking through Amos concerning religious practices of the children of Israel: “I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies. Even though you bring me…offerings, I will not accept them” Amos 5:21-22). It is clear from the passage that God is displeased with Israel because their practice of religion is insincere and ritualistic. In the New Testament Paul warned his friend, Timothy, of people who were, “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power” (2 Timothy 3:4-5). It is not the form of our worship that is important, but rather the relationship we maintain with the One we worship. Jesus said, “God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship in Spirit and in Truth” (John 4:24), “they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks” (John 4:23). Worship Him in Truth. He is seeking you.

Father, seek me to be your worshiper. I want to worship you in Spirit and in Truth, and not with mere formal ritual. Amen.

From the Tundra

Tundra Swans in Rapid City

Tundra Swans, as the name implies, nest in the far reaches of northern Canada and Alaska. In the spring and fall they migrate through South Dakota on their way to and from their winter homes along the coasts of North America. The two swans in this picture had stopped last week for a little rest and relaxation before heading on.

Where Is Your Rump?

Looking for a Yellow-rumped Warbler's yellow rump

If ornithologists speak of a bird's rump, they are not referring to the area underneath the tail as in the photo above. That area is called the undertail coverts, and is white in a Yellow-rumped Warbler. The rump is the area on the top side of the bird where the tail and back meet. In the picture below you can easily see how the Yellow-rumped Warbler got its name.

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Photo by Paul Roisen)

Cormorant Quintet

Looks like a Double-crested Cormorant singing group to me!

I saw these five Double-crested Cormorants yesterday at Oahe Dam, and they looked to me as if they were about to burst into song. I wondered, "Would I enjoy listening to singing cormorants?" Then I remembered this quote from Bernard Meltzer: "The woods would be a very silent place if no birds sang except those who sang best."

On Wild Sunflowers

Winter plumaged American Goldfinch on wild sunflowers

Last summer I saw a place along the Missouri River with extensive patches of wild sunflowers along both sides of a gravel road. I thought at the time it would be a wonderful place for finches later in the year when the sunflower seeds had fully formed. Well, they're fully formed now. Yesterday I saw a small flock of American Goldfinches dining on the seeds.

Old Baldpate

American Wigeon, Anas americana

The American Wigeon is often called Old Baldpate because the coloration of the drake's head looks like male pattern baldness. There was a cooperative group of American Wigeons yesterday at Canyon Lake in Rapid City.

Old Baldpate

Bird Devotional 40

Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk, Buteo jamaicensis

“Tribulation worketh patience.” Romans 5:3 (KJV)

My son, Daniel, and I were visiting a bird banding station in northern Minnesota. The banders had set up an elaborate system of netting, and used live starlings as lure birds to entice raptors into the nets. Shortly after we arrived, a juvenile Red-tailed Hawk flew in and landed on top of one of the large poles that supported the arrangement of nets. We observed the young hawk inspecting the cords and wires that were in plain sight below its perch. The hawk also was watching the starling as it fluttered below. We could see that the young red-tail had a conflict going on in its head. Its instincts told it something was amiss, but its hunger for an easy meal was telling it to go for the starling. Hunger won out and the hawk flew down toward the starling and became caught in the net. After the hawk was extracted from the net, weighed, measured and banded, we got to see it up close and we watched as it was released.

Being trapped, getting handled by humans and receiving a metal band on the leg must be one of the most traumatic events in a bird’s life. It would certainly be a type of “tribulation" experience. I am not sure what kind of memory hawks have, but experience must teach them which types of behavior are beneficial and which are dangerous. I think the young hawk in Minnesota may have learned that impulsive behavior can bring disastrous results. In Romans 5:3 we are told that “tribulation worketh patience.” The Message paraphrase of the Bible puts it this way: “troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and … that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next” (Romans 5:3-4, The Message). When troubles and tribulations come into your life, let them develop “passionate patience” in you. Then you will also learn to “keep alert for whatever God will do next.”

Father, I don’t care much for tribulation, but I know from your Word that you use it to develop patience within me. When troubles come into my life, help me to be a quick learner and to keep alert to your guidance. Amen.

Whoops

Whoops! There goes another one.

I spent a little time yesterday trying to photograph a Red-breasted Nuthatch coming to one of my feeders. I noticed that the bird dropped almost as many seeds as it successfully flew off with. I almost wonder if they do that on purpose so the juncos have something to eat on the ground below. Here's a photo where the nuthatch has a seed firmly in its grasp as it gets ready to fly off and hack it open.

I'm not dropping this one!

Under Water?

So..............?

You sometimes see the oddest things when you're driving around out in the country. I recently saw this sign while driving a gravel road east of Pierre. Does it mean the road is closed? Or is it just giving you information about the road conditions ahead? I decided it was unwise to proceed, so I turned around. While I was negotiating the U-turn, a nice Hairy Woodpecker came and landed in a nearby tree. When I approached too closely trying to snap a picture, the woodpecker flew down past the sign. I guess when you have wings you aren't too concerned about roads that are under water.

Wrong Way

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Photo by Paul Roisen)

Scissor-tailed Flycatchers are common breeding birds in the southern Great Plains from Texas to Kansas. There have even been a few scattered reports of these birds nesting in southern Nebraska. However, in the autumn when they should be heading to Central America, individual Scissor-tailed Flycatchers will sometimes turn the wrong way and wander far to the north of their summer homes. One such bird was visiting northwest Iowa last month, and was photographed by my friend Paul Roisen as pictured above. In October of 2008, a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was seen for a few days near Brookings, South Dakota, one of only about two dozen records for the state. The only scissortails I have ever seen were down in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas during the summer months. Every fall I am constantly checking utility wires and fences up here in South Dakota, and eventually I will find one of those "wrong way" scissortails myself. Until then I can only admire Paul's picture and look forward to my next trip to Oklahoma.

Big Bird and Friends

Big Bird and Friends

Today is the 40th anniversary of Sesame Street. I suppose we all have our favorite Sesame Street characters. My oldest son's was Ernie. My granddaughter's is Elmo. I suppose you think mine is Big Bird. Well... actually I would have to say my favorite is cute, lovable, furry, old Grover. Happy anniversary, guys!

A Little Rusty

Rusty Blackbird, Euphagus carolinus

Yesterday I spotted a small group of Rusty Blackbirds foraging in a wooded area at Farm Island. I was excited because they were the first Rusty Blackbirds I had seen all year. Being a "little rusty" at blackbird identification, I had to consult my field guides before I knew for sure they were really Rusty Blackbirds. Later I did some research about Rusty Blackbirds and discovered that I am not the only one who is finding these birds to be few and far between. Rusty Blackbirds are in a precipitous population decline-- perhaps the steepest of any North American songbird. The decline is estimated at 85% to 95% since the 1960s. In 2005 a consortium called International Rusty Blackbird Technical Working Group was established to study this phenomenon and perhaps find a solution before it is too late. Rusty Blackbirds breed in boreal wetlands from New England to Alaska and winter in bottomland wooded wetlands in the southeastern U.S. Their need for wooded wetlands year-round, makes them less adaptable to habitat loss than other species. Not mentioned as a reason for their decline, but something that seems important to me is this: RUSTY BLACKBIRDS HAVE A TERRIBLE NAME! Now, I love blackbirds, but the word blackbird has plenty of negative meaning. WHO WANTS TO HELP SAVE BLACKBIRDS? Rusty Blackbirds are in the Icteridae family along with meadowlarks and orioles. Wouldn't people be more interested in helping to save the birds if they were called Rusty Meadowlarks or Rusty Orioles? So get over your negative feelings toward "blackbirds," whether those feelings include fear and loathing or just apathy and disinterest. Do what you can to help preserve this declining American bird.

The Road to Wall

Wall Drug billboard

When driving along South Dakota highways, you can either count hawks perched on utility poles, or you can count Wall Drug signs. Wall Drug in Wall, South Dakota was founded in 1931, and continues to prosper because of its highway advertising program. I drove U.S. Highway 14 to Wall over the weekend, and during one stretch there was a Wall Drug sign every half mile. I was hoping I could find a hawk perched on one of the signs, and take a picture of that, but I had no luck... maybe on the next trip. Since it was Halloween, I thought the sign at the bottom was appropriate.

Wall Drug sign

Bird Devotional 39

Cedar Waxwing, Bombycilla cedrorum

“He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” Acts 14:17

My son, Jacob, and I were visiting Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve in Duluth, Minnesota late in the month of August. This world-famous hawk watch area was quiet on that particular day. The large waves of migrating hawks were still several weeks away. We did manage to see a few raptors: an American Kestrel, an Osprey and a Broad-winged Hawk. However, our attention was constantly diverted by a thin, high-pitched whistling sound coming from the bushes behind us. We finally walked over to the scrubby hillside, and began to see Cedar Waxwings everywhere. Each branch seemed to be dripping with the sleek little birds. They were hungrily devouring the small, red berries that covered the shrubs. We soon abandoned our search for hawks, and spent the rest of our time enjoying the waxwings.

Cedar Waxwings survive by wandering from place to place to take advantage of the seasonal ripening of various wild fruit crops. They are present in all parts of the United States during one season or another, but will stay in one place only as long as food is available. Today’s Bible verse tells us that God, through His kindness, gives “crops in their seasons” and “plenty of food.” The Cedar Waxwings are vitally aware of God’s provision of food by the kindness He shows to every living creature. How about us? Do we recognize that the rain and the crops are provided to us by God through His kindness? Paul and Barnabas tell us in today’s passage, “Yet He has not left Himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons” (Acts 14:17). The kindness of God is part of the fruit of His Spirit, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23). Cedar Waxwings show us the testimony of God's kindness as they travel about to take advantage of His abundant supply of food. Believe that testimony, and trust His kindness to supply all your needs.

Lord, I know that kindness is your very nature. Thank you for the testimony of that kindness through providing for the needs of all your creatures, including me. Amen.