North to North Dakota

Three Saturdays ago, the Huz and I were both itching for a quick getaway...first choice was a very long day's drive to NW Montana and Glacier Nat'l Park...well, make that more than a day's drive no doubt, so we had to nix that idea...instead we headed N and into N Dakota for the first time, to visit Lake Ilo NWR. I knew the time of year wasn't the best for bird migration but I hoped to see a few water fowl anyway...and hey we were well aware there isn't a heck of a lot to see in ND, but when someone says 'roadtrip' I say that I'll be packed and ready in 30 minutes...

We crossed the border at 9:30 AM ...

We reached Lake Ilo at lunchtime, about a five-hour drive...the area was deserted...didn't seem to be anyone home at this bat house either...

There wasn't a single water bird on the lake!! Talk about disappointment...we could hear Canadian geese on the opposite shore but couldn't even see those. We did see a few cedar waxwings in the trees along the shore trail...I'm assuming these aren't Bohemians but what do I know...can't see the telltale variations in these distant shots...

...Another ? bird...a warbler? It wasn't cooperating...the lighter color has a pale yellow tinge...my guess would be the pine warbler but it would be accidental in W No. Dakota...

A chickadee was checking me out as we ambled along the trail thru the trees...it took off right as I snapped a shot and ended up looking like a birdie angel...

...What we did see a lot of were mushrooms...

...Some looking like steps up a tree...

These were growing out of a knot in a tree stump...

Along the trail, under the canopy, pale orange 'shrooms on a fallen tree...

...More pale orange 'shrooms, in a mossy bed...



A very big, flat mushroom...

My hubby's large hand for comparison...

...back at the picnic area, a pretty orange gilled 'shroom on a tree...

...And more at the base of the same tree...

...'shrooms looking like slightly toasted marshmallows! When's the last time you had some? It's been ages for me...

Another of the step-like 'shrooms (or is this another type of fungi?) ...do squirrels use these for easier climbing? They should, don't you agree?

Back on the road heading home...we pass lots of fields of sunflowers, future sunflower seeds...

And back in South Dakota, I made sure to stop and get a photo of this hilarious sign!!  You say toe-may-toe, I say toe-mah-toe...? Hmm, which town do I want to visit? Pfffft.