Lots of Grasshoppers

Grasshopper Sparrow

There are jillions of grasshoppers around central South Dakota right now. After driving out in the country, the front end of my car is covered with dead grasshoppers. If I walk out in my garden, the plants just come alive as the little buggers flee in all directions. Grasshoppers are everywhere! There are many birds that enjoy eating grasshoppers, so I imagine those birds are in heaven right now. But there is another kind of grasshopper that I am seeing all over the place right now, too. That's the Grasshopper Sparrow. A recent drive through Fort Pierre National Grasslands revealed dozens of the odd-looking little sparrows perched on strands of barbed wire. This photo shows some of this sparrow's key field marks: flat forehead; large, conical bill; yellow spots in front of the eyes; and non-streaked, two-toned undersides. And you thought all sparrows looked alike!

DANGER

Sign near Pierre, South Dakota

I was walking out in the country near Pierre, looking for birds, and came across this sign. I decided I had gone far enough, so I turned around and went back the way I came.

Little Beggar

Juvenile Yellow Warbler begging for food

Yesterday I heard a commotion in the trees and looked up to see this little bird begging for food. I could tell it was a juvenile of some kind, but at first I was uncertain what species it was. Then I saw a male Yellow Warbler flit in and stuff something into the little bird's mouth. That reminded me of an episode I observed last year in which a Yellow Warbler was feeding a young Brown-headed Cowbird. It was much more gratifying to watch the adult bird feeding one of its own kind.

OBNT Revisited

Orange-billed Nightingale Thrush

(Photos by Paul O. Roisen)

The Orange-billed Nightingale Thrush is still being seen out in Spearfish Canyon. Here are some photos taken by Paul Roisen when we observed the bird last week. Over 200 birders from at least 21 states and 2 Canadian provinces have trekked to The Hills to see this rarity. When I was there I visited with gentlemen from California and Georgia who were there solely to see that bird. Yesterday the South Dakota Public Radio program, Dakota Digest, featured the Orange-billed Nightingale Thrush. You can listen to the program here.

Little Brown Surf-Bather

American Dipper

I got to see some American Dippers out in Spearfish Canyon last week. Above is a picture, and here is an interesting poem about them written by Harriet Monroe. It paints an inspiring picture of the American Dipper, or Water Ouzel, in its native habitat-- fast-moving mountain streams:

Little brown surf-bather of the mountains!
Spirit of foam, lover of cataracts, shaking your wings in falling waters!
Have you no fear of the roar and rush when Nevada plunges--
Nevada, the shapely dancer, feeling her way with slim white fingers?
How dare you dash at Yosemite the mighty--
Tall, white-limbed Yosemite, leaping down, down over the cliff?
Is it not enough to lean on the blue air of mountains?
Is it not enough to rest with your mate at timberline, in bushes that hug the rocks?
Must you fly through mad waters where the heaped-up granite breaks them?
Must you batter your wings in the torrent?
Must you plunge for life and death through the foam?

Bird Devotional 76

Cedar Waxwing, Bombycilla cedrorum

"The fruit of the Spirit... is kindness." Galatians 5:22

The common English word, "kindness," is well understood by everyone. We all know that the word means to show compassion to other people. In fact, it is not possible to exhibit kindness without some sort of interaction with others. The Cedar Waxwing can be used to exemplify kindness because it is a bird that is constantly interacting with others of its species. I have seen thousands of Cedar Waxwings over the years, but I have never seen one by itself. Always found in groups, Cedar Waxwings travel together in search of food. When one bird finds a tree laden with fruit, it shares the bounty with the rest of the flock. They are famous for their habit of lining up on a tree branch and passing a fruit from beak to beak until it reaches the last bird. What an awesome example of kindness!

The Book of Galatians uses the image of fruit to describe nine aspects of the nature of God. These spiritual fruit can also be present in us through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23). There are many Bible passages that show us God's kindness. In the Book of Luke we learn that His kindness is not reserved just for those who follow Him: "Love your enemies... Then your reward will be great and you will be sons of the Most High because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked" (Luke 6:35). The highest expression of God's kindness to us is that He sent His Son into the world. As Paul wrote to the Ephesians, "And God raised us up with Christ and seated us in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:6-7). Kindness... an interesting behavioral trait in birds... a wonderful attribute in humans... and a gift of God's grace through Jesus Christ.

Thank you, Father, for your gift of kindness to us through Christ Jesus. Amen.

Baby Grebes

A pair of Eared Grebes with three chicks

There is a large prairie wetland complex in Sully County, South Dakota, north of Pierre. Yesterday I saw dozens, or even hundreds of families of Eared Grebes with fuzzy young ones. Eared Grebes are named, of course, for the fan-shaped tufts on the sides of their heads. In other parts of the world they are known as Black-necked Grebes, and it is likely that the American Ornithologists' Union may soon make a name change. Whether you want to emphasize the golden "ears" or the black neck, you have to admit they are fascinating little creatures.

Mammal Break

Black-tailed Prairie Dog

Every once in a while I take a break from birds and show you a cute mammal I found while out birding. This little guy was so close to the road, and posing so nicely, I just had to stop and take its picture. I love how it grasps the blade of grass with the front paw and holds it up to its mouth. I have never seen that before. Here in central South Dakota, prairie dogs are an important food source for Golden Eagles and Ferruginous Hawks. In the winter I often see those raptors perched near prairie dog towns.

Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush

Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush (center of picture)

Yesterday, Paul Roisen and I journeyed out to the Black Hills to see a once-in-a-lifetime bird. An Orange-billed Nightingale-Thrush is spending the summer in Spearfish Canyon. It was first observed on July 10, and shows no signs that it wants to leave its gorgeous territory. This bird is native to Latin America, and is only the third of its species ever seen in the United States. The other two birds were found in the Rio Grande Valley of southern Texas, so that makes this sighting almost unbelievable. The bird sings a very loud and musical song. When listening to it, I imagined it was saying, "Night'ngale-Thrush, that's me!" I included the blurry, out-of-focus photo above, because that is what you see when looking at the bird... if you're lucky. It is wary of humans, and does not come close to the Iron Creek Trail or adjoining parking lot, the only places from which to observe the bird. If you want to see what the bird really looks like, here is a link to photos taken by bird photographer, Doug Backlund of Pierre. That was life bird 364 for me, and what a remarkable one it was!

Mr. Lazuli

Lazuli Bunting

I went back to the spot where I had seen a male Lazuli Bunting at close range while I was stupidly without my camera. I found the bird again, along with its mate. He posed for me, but not nearly as closely as before. I think a third trip may be in order.

Young Orioles

Juvenile Orchard Orioles

I heard a lot of commotion coming from a tree near Oahe Dam today. I could see it was a family of Orchard Orioles. The fledglings were flying around and chattering loudly. It appeared that maybe the two adults were forcing them away from the nest tree. Anyway, these three young ones landed on a dead branch nearby like they were waiting for Mom and Dad to come and feed them. The parents never came. Whether bird or human, it is sometimes difficult to get your kids to grow up and act like responsible adults.

Baby Woodies

Juvenile Wood Duck on Capitol Lake in Pierre

There are a dozen juvenile Wood Ducks swimming on Capitol Lake this summer. There are Wood Ducks living on Capitol Lake year round, including the coldest part of winter. Obviously, one or more pairs were successful in breeding this year. Few things are as cute as baby ducks, but Wood Ducks seem especially cute.

Two juvenile Wood Ducks out for a swim

Eagle Attacks Capitol?

Eagle statue on South Dakota State Capitol grounds

It is sometimes fun to see what can be juxtaposed with the South Dakota State Capitol Building when taking a photograph. I managed to catch this eagle in the act of trying to attack the Capitol dome. Do not fear, though; all is well. The magnificent bird has not flown away, and still holds its place between the Korean War and Viet Nam War monuments on the Capitol grounds.

Insignificant?

Pygmy Nuthatch

pygmy, adj. dwarfish; insignificant.

"Ouch! We already know we're the smallest of all the nuthatches. But do you have to define us as being 'insignificant?' That's really not good for our self esteem."

Bird Devotional 75

Red-tailed Hawk waiting patiently at the cross

Red-tailed Hawk, Buteo jamaicensis

"Imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised." Hebrews 6:12

I was on my way to Mexico! My parents and I were driving to visit friends in San Antonio, Texas, with a planned side excursion to Nuevo Laredo. We were only five miles outside my Nebraska hometown when we saw something none of us had ever seen before. A Red-tailed Hawk flew up out of a fence row and over the highway directly in front of us, a large bull snake grasped firmly in its talons. The hawk seemed to be struggling to gain altitude and to control the still-wriggling reptile. However, the bird kept pumping its strong wings, and in a few seconds it disappeared over a grove of trees behind a nearby farmstead. The three of us were speechless, basking in the majesty of what we had just witnessed. Finally, the significance of what we had been privileged to see occurred to me. So I told my parents that the Mexican flag depicted an eagle, perched on a cactus, eating a rattlesnake. Never mind that we had seen a hawk, not an eagle; that it was carrying a bull snake, not eating a rattlesnake; and that it was flying, not sitting on a cactus... it seemed like a message to me!

I have seen thousands of Red-tailed hawks waiting patiently on perches or soaring in the sky over open fields. However, the first day of that car trip with my parents many decades ago was the only time I have ever seen one carrying a snake. I often wonder how long that hawk had sat waiting for that snake. It is easy to lose sight of the fact that these hawks are patient for a very good reason. Patience pays off! The writer of Hebrews exhorted us in this way: "We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised" (Hebrews 6:12). If we want to inherit the promises of God, we must receive the gift of the Fruit of Patience growing in our lives. Hawks know the benefits of patience; good things happen to hawks that wait patiently. Learn a lesson from the Red-tailed Hawk. Let patience grow in you.

Father, I give you permission to do whatever is necessary for the Fruit of Patience to grow in my life. Amen.

I Can't Believe I Did That!

Lazuli Bunting, June 2009

Yesterday I took two friends to an area near Pierre to help them find Spotted Towhees. I wasn't much interested in taking pictures of Spotted Towhees, so when we got out of my truck, I left my camera behind. Well, we walked a ways up the trail and heard several Spotted Towhees, but couldn't see them. A little farther along, and we heard what we believed was a Lazuli bunting. There was movement in the trees, and then... BINGO... there it was. A beautiful male Lazuli Bunting was perched out in the open, just twenty feet in front of us! The bird posed for several minutes. I could have had a whole series of terrific photos, but my camera was several hundred yards away back in my truck! The photo shown here is one I got last year. As you can see, it is not very good. I could have had dozens of shots better than that. I CAN'T BELIEVE I DIDN'T HAVE MY CAMERA!!! By the way... we did eventually get some terrific views of a Spotted Towhee, so we finished on a good note. Do you suppose if I go back to that spot I can get the Lazuli Bunting to pose again?

Big Tree?

Communication tower south of Flagstaff, Arizona

South of Flagstaff, Arizona I saw what at first appeared to be an enormous tree. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a communication tower dressed up as a pine tree. I wonder what the birds think of this thing?

Arizona Birds VIII

Rock Wren south of Flagstaff, Arizona

Rock Wrens are common in western South Dakota, but I had not seen any this year until we went out to Arizona. We saw this bird in... you guessed it... a pile of rocks. Some birds are so predictable!

Baby Uppies

Upland Sandpiper chick

Last week I found an adult Upland Sandpiper foraging in the grass with three chicks. I managed to photograph one of the chicks as it emerged from the dense vegetation. We have had a lot of rain in central South Dakota this year, and the Upland Sandpipers seem to like the nice green grass.

Adult Upland Sandpiper keeping an eye on the chicks

Name That Duck

Male Ruddy Duck in breeding plumage

When you look at a male Ruddy Duck like the one in this photo, what is the first thing you see? Oh sure, you can see the ruddy-colored body that gives the duck its name, but what do you notice first? If you mention anything other than the startlingly blue bill, you're lying. My son, Daniel, once described the duck as having a "bill dipped in Dutch Boy periwinkle blue paint." That sounds about right to me. So why then wasn't this species named Blue-billed Duck? I don't know, either.

Mourning Dove Nest

Mourning Dove on nest in hanging planter

When we returned from Arizona, we discovered a Mourning Dove had built a nest in the hanging planter by our front door. This is the same spot where a Mourning Dove raised two youngsters last year. I peeked into the nest when the adult was briefly absent, and found two eggs. She continues to incubate the eggs through wind, rain and blazing sun. I will let you know when the eggs hatch.

Mourning Dove in a nest of flowers

Arizona Birds VII

Gila Woodpecker on palm tree in Phoenix, Arizona

Gila Woodpeckers are common in the desert regions of Arizona, including residential areas of Phoenix. They are close relatives of the Red-bellied Woodpecker of the eastern United States. Gila Woodpeckers often make nest cavities in Saguaro cacti. The bird in this photo was foraging for food in the palm trees around a hotel in Phoenix.

Arizona Birds VI

Western Bluebird

I saw a pair of Western Bluebirds feeding two awkward-looking juveniles in Grand Canyon National Park last week. This photo shows the male resting while his mate was feeding the youngsters.

Arizona Birds V

Virginia's Warbler

Yes, Santa Claus, there is a Virginia's Warbler. The field guides say these warblers are found in dense brushy thickets on dry mountainsides and canyon walls, especially where there are oaks. We found this one right on the rim of the Grand Canyon in an oak thicket. The bird must have read the guide book. It was moving around so quickly this is the best picture I could get.

Bird Devotional 74

Ash-throated Flycatcher, Myiarchus cinerascens

“There the birds make their nests… in the pine trees.” Psalm 104:17

After spending a day viewing the awesome splendor of the Grand Canyon, the cool shade in a grove of Ponderosa Pines was a welcome relief from the oppressive heat on the South Rim Trail. There were some very interesting birds among those pine trees: Pygmy Nuthatch, Western Bluebird, and Band-tailed Pigeon. The best bird, however, was a new bird for me, the Ash-throated Flycatcher. I watched a pair of these birds take turns carrying insects into a hole in the trunk of a Ponderosa Pine, obviously feeding a group of young flycatchers. I would have stayed longer to observe these beautiful birds, but four young bull elks appeared out of nowhere, and sauntered right past that tree, forcing me to retreat to a nearby road. Ash-throated Flycatchers are birds of the arid southwest, and prefer dry, open stands of pines or junipers where they survive on insects gleaned from the scattered trees.

Today’s Bible passage tells of birds that make their nests in pine trees. In other verses of Psalm 104, are images of wild donkeys, wild goats, roaring lions, strange sea creatures and other animals. The psalmist wrote of the kindness of God in providing food for all the varied life He created: “These all look to you to give them their food at the proper time. When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things” (Psalm 104:27-28). God’s world is indeed an awesome wonder. In fact, according to Psalm 104:31, God Himself rejoices in His creation: “May the Lord rejoice in His works.” I had frankly never thought of God rejoicing in His own works, but the Bible clearly indicates that He does. The first chapter of Genesis tells us that God called His creation, “good,” seven times, concluding with the statement, “God saw all that He had made, and it was very good” (Genesis 1:31). Let us join with God and rejoice in the wonderful works He created and gave to us to enjoy with Him.

Father, I rejoice with you for all the marvelous works your hands have made. May I be ever grateful that you provide for all your creatures, including me. Amen.

Ash-throated Flycatcher Nest hole in Ponderosa Pine

Arizona Birds IV

Mountain Chickadee, Grand Canyon National Park

This Mountain Chickadee was foraging in a Utah Juniper tree on the South Rim Trail in Grand Canyon National Park. I heard quite a number of Mountain Chickadees along this trail. They sound like a Black-capped Chickadee with a very hoarse throat. The South Rim of the Grand Canyon is at an elevation of 7200 feet, making it suitable habitat for Mountain Chickadees, a common resident of the western mountains.

Arizona Birds III

The Grand Canyon from the South Rim

From the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, one can often see dark birds soaring off in the distance. These birds include Zone-tailed Hawk, with a wingspan of 51 inches; Common Raven, with a wingspan of 53 inches; Turkey Vulture, with a wingspan of 67 inches; and California Condor, with a wingspan of 109 inches. Because the distances in the Grand Canyon are so vast, it is difficult to discern the relative size of any bird seen soaring over the canyon. I was able to see and identify all four of these birds, but the conditions were never ideal for photographs. Birds have a great advantage over humans in places like this. To us, the Grand Canyon is a huge impediment. It takes five hours to travel from the South Rim to the North Rim by automobile. A condor or a raven, if so inclined could make the trip in just a few minutes.

Resting on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon

Arizona Birds II

A pair of Common Ravens having a chat in Williams, Arizona

Since we never see Common Ravens in South Dakota, I always enjoy watching them when I am in a place where they are common. In Arizona, Common Ravens seemed to be everywhere. They were even perched on our hotel roof ledges like a bunch of pigeons.

Common Raven having its say in Williams, Arizona

Arizona Birds I

White-winged Dove, Phoenix, Arizona

I just got back from a wonderful vacation in Arizona, and as you might expect, I saw a number of good birds. By the end of the trip I had recorded seven new life birds. The first one was this White-winged Dove that I photographed through the glass of our hotel room window in suburban Phoenix. The six life birds to follow were not quite that easy. Over the next few days I will let you know all about the birds and other sights we encountered in Arizona.