The Eagle Has Landed

Can you believe, this is MY photo I took today??! I'm tempted to do an impressive "Wordless Wednesday" post but I simply cannot remain silent over the subject matter! I went for a long drive today, over 100 miles in a big loop...the sun has been out, it's 40+ F which feels warm, snow is melting fast...I went S to Hwy 36, across 'the park'. I was going to go to the town of Custer then head S again down Hwy 385, but decided last minute to go down the W part of the wildlife loop along Hwy 89, which connects with Hwy 385 in Wind Cave Nat'l Park. Anyway, thank God I went that way because right where you cross the cattle (or buffalo) guard into Wind Cave NP, I came upon two bald eagles in a dead tree by the side of the road. I went past them, turned around, and took photos from the car as I passed. One eagle flew off right away. I parked in a large turn-out there and carefully got out of the car and walked over within 25 feet of the tree. I was able to take my time taking photos; Baldie didn't seem to give a fig that I was there. Amazingly, not a single car drove by the whole time. What an amazing experience; I was just dumb-founded. More on my outing today to be posted soon.

2009 Winners of the Most Elusive Birds Award

...At least for me, here in the Black Hills area. Maybe this year!!

The Western tanager was by far the hardest bird to capture last year...so disappointing! I saw 3-4 of them in all but this was the only photo I was able to get.

The American goldfinch was almost as elusive...this was the best I could do, from the driver's seat through the passenger side window.

A Pre-Valentine's Day Lunch Date

I know I've been scarce lately...the winter blahs have settled in. I made the effort to get out for the first time in weeks, this past Wed. Where else but to Custer Park. Once I was headed down the wildlife loop, wondering if I'd see any buffalo at close range, it didn't take too long to find my first wildlife...

A doe in the snow...

Coming around a corner and down a hill I found that I needn't have worried about seeing buffalo near the road...

A herd of mostly females and their offspring, including several very pregnant females...oh the wiry, red-haired calves, I can't wait! 

This yearling is standing on the side of the road...it seems more curious than concerned...

Next were some antelope, starting with a very healthy-looking male...

A female and her youngster heading toward the road...

To lick up the rock salt...

There were 4-5 magpies in their usual area of the loop...

But the best part was when I finally stopped in a large pull-out area to eat my lunch...I was about a half-block past a small herd of buffalo, but the gap in distance was soon closed...

As the females and their yearlings, like the antelope, headed for the road to lick the salt rock up...moseying up the road as they snacked...I was soon surrounded on three sides by the herd. They were aware of me but more interested in the salty supplement. 

Birds of a Different Feather

This was one of those rare moments out and about in nature...May 2nd of '09, the wildlife loop in Custer State Park. My dad is fond of this shot...a robin and a Mt. bluebird seeming to be hanging out together. I took several shots actually, which means the moment lasted a good bit.  I like the way the breeze was ruffling their chest feathers.  :o)

Is it March yet?!

...A.k.a. The Other Retro King...these photos were taken the same day I took the photos of the Western kingbirds in late July last year...this is the Eastern kingbird, a sharp bird dressed in formal tux wear...the first time I saw this bird I was pretty excited, but they turned out to be pretty common here.

The E kingbird seems fairly tolerant of humans gawking from vehicles...

...A rather slim Jim here

A Retro King

One of my favorite bird watching moments in '09 was on July 28th while out driving the dirt roads in farming country E of the Black Hills...

I came upon a fledgling Western kingbird perched on the fencing, next to a small cluster of trees...

As a drove at a creep, past the new prince, I realized there were birds in the nearby tree, flitting about and carrying on...it was the king (and/or queen), trying to distract me from their youngster...

I happened to snap the concerned parent as he/she flew from one branch to another, and it came out looking like a dive-bomb...I was definitely being distracted, watching the antics...

Giving me an earful from another perch...

Another 'ghost' shot as it flew to yet another spot in the tree. I took the hint and respectfully moved on.

Ghostly Birds

Last year I managed to snap some bird photos at the very moment the subject matter commenced to take flight. It makes for some interesting special effects, as you birders well know...I'd been meaning to share a few of the ghostly looking birds for awhile...and gee, it's still 'dead' around here so I'm still doing retro photos...my SLR is back from the shop actually, cleaned and a shutter setting glitch fixed, in only a week...I do hope to get out and reacquainted w/ Miss Sony soon...

A ghostly bird or blurry vision?

Oopsie...is there a bird or isn't there...

This one is my favorite...think it's a house finch...

A starling with ghostly wings