Friday, April 16

Old, New, Ouch! and Blue

I had every intention of going further south for a drive, but I ended up driving around Custer State Park again yesterday...what can I say...it's still too early to find all of the migrating spring birds...
First up, a male and female ring-necked duck on a small pond E of Custer State Park...I'm pretty sure this is a lifer for me! There were actually two pair of the ducks on the pond...

A male Mt. bluebird perched on a fence post...the bluebirds are definitely back in town...

A female Mt. bluebird was nearby, looking a bit coy...

I believe this is the first time I've found plains orophaca! The bees were loving it...

I was excited to see (moss) phlox in bloom...not so excited when I got stung by a bee while photographing some! Luckily I had a small ice pack in my lunchbox to put on it right away. Wanda, does this count as one of nature's heart shapes?!

I decided very last minute to take CSP Road #5 partway south for a look-see. I wasn't far down the dirt road before I found a small group of female bison...and, two calves! Aww, they're here! Many more to come...look close, you can see this young un's dried up umbilical cord...

Mamma, what the HECK is THAT?!

Mr. Wobbles was still a bit unsure on his legs...

The prairie dogs were out and about as usual, looking indignant at my intrusion...

A lone male pronghorn antelope enjoying the sunshine...elsewhere there were small herds, a single male with his harem...antelope calves are born later than the bison calves...

Hmm...if this bison bull has calves on the way, he's playing it cool...quietly, calmly chewing on a strand of dry grass...far from the herds of females elsewhere in the park.


...Outside of the park, heading back home, I came across this foal just as it was lying down for a midday nap near its mamma.

5 comments:

  1. So many great photos in this post, Jann and that is a lovely heart shape, sorry about the bee sting though! Loved the Bluebirds, a little different from ours.

    The new born calf, the prairie dog, and the foal were so cute, but that large bison relaxing and chewing on a tiny blade of grass struck me funny.
    ♥...Wanda

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  2. Great variety of photos Jann...I loved the bluebirds,they are one of my favorites,but as Wanda said they are a little different than ours...The prairie dog was a cutie to..You sure have a large variety of animals out there..I still would like to come out that way for vacation someday...take care

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  3. I agree with Andora, I think those bluebirds are my favorite!

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  4. Love this series Jann, especially the Bluebird on the fence and the "babies".

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