International Migratory Bird Day

Thanks to blogger Caroline at "...And a Hive of Silvery Bees", for my post title! I had no idea it was IMB Day at the time, but yesterday I took a long (160 mi. total) drive down S. of Hot Springs to check out a birdie paradise spot, Keith Park...at the far S. end of the Black Hills...the wild plum blossoms were unbelievably heady at the park, it was fantastic!

First off, an elusive song sparrow hiding in a tangle of branches...

An American robin it turned out, but oh well...was hoping it was an orchard oriole...

A female yellow-rumped warbler...

There were several white-crowned sparrows pecking around in the grass at Keith Park...

A male Mt. bluebird, always a pretty sight...

My first guess was actually right, this was a female common yellowthroat...

Ok, if a male red crossbill is red, and the female is greenish...and this guy/gal is both colors, what does that mean exactly? Juvie? Trans-gender?

Making my way back home...my first upland sandpiper sighting for this year...on the wildlife loop in Custer Park...(hey, there's not a whole lot of options for which roads to take in the Hills, and I wanted a different route going home)...

Brown-headed cowbirds perched on the back of a buffalo...

A female Mt. bluebird; the male was nearby but skittish...

The meadowlarks were heard more than seen, but finally I did see this fellow watching over his territory.

HELLO! A loggerhead shrike! Posing! This was the perfect time for my battery to go D-E-A-D...and to remember that I'd forgotten to charge the spare battery, also dead...$#%?! But I popped the spare in anyway and it actually had enough juice to take more shots of a couple shrikes in Custer Park...I saw the shrike last year, but didn't come even close to getting any photos. So this was a cheap thrill for me, even if none of my shots came out super sharp.

I came upon a pair of tree swallows (Yay, they're back!), taking turns at the nest in bird house #8 in Custer State Park...

Uh oh, looks like Ma and Pa are having a squabble...

The grubs are THAT way, Mister!

And thus ended a long but satisfying bird watching outing on Saturday!