We had met son Tony & grandson Ethan, from Colorado, to spend a few days camping in the Black Hills of South Dakota. They arrived on Saturday, so Barb and I having arrived in Custer on Thursday night, had a day to explore on our own. Naturally, I brought my binocs and so on Friday afternoon we found Lewis and Clark.
Lewis's Woodpecker and Clark's Nutcracker that is to say. Both are western birds especially associated with boreal forests. Ponderosa Pines in particular. I must say that having enjoyed telling the story of these two great pioneer explorers of the West, many times to my history students, it just seemed appropriate that the sighting of these two bird "lifers" just happened As the range map shows, the Black Hills are at the western extremity, of Lewis's Woodpecker's home territory. 
That was a nice experience. I hope you enjoyed your time camping.
ReplyDeleteThose are a couple of great shots, not to mention exciting sightings!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful birds. It seems near Mitchel there was a rest area that had a replica of the keel boat the explorers used. It was fun to look over their adventure.Those Ponderosas start on the north side of the Niobrara River on the NE border, none to the south.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots! Hope the rest of the trip is a blast!
ReplyDeleteThose photos are just terrific! We might have to make another run over through the Black Hills this year!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! I've never seen or heard of these birds. Thank you for sharing with us. :)
ReplyDeleteYou got great captures of both Lewis and Clark. Very well done.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a sweet trip. I love The Black Hills. Great pics of both birds. Cant wait to make a trip out there myself....Lake Pectola has huge lake trout in it...!
ReplyDeleteWow! Never go anywhere without binocs and a camera! Great pictures!
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