Trip day three: Valentine National Wildlife Refuge

I woke to heavy overcast skies, bouts of spitting rain, and a steady wind that made it feel more like February than April. I bundled up and headed south into the heart of the Nebraska sand dunes. I have cut through the dunes many times in my drives from Minnesota to Colorado and back, and they were a large part of my decision to expand a long weekend with the family into a week long driving tour. Getting to explore them was much better than zipping by at 60.
Eastern Bluebirds were a species I hoped for but wasn't sure if I would see. There were two where I got this picture, and another Great Horned further back in the grove.


I also took several hundred pictures trying to capture the swallows hunting insects over the lake. This was one of the better efforts of a Tree Swallow, but they are a species that is going to need more light.

Leaving Duck Lake I headed back north past an evergreen windbreak, and stopped to enjoy good views of Cedar Waxwings. The color on their wingtips and tails can't be appreciated until seen live. Amazing.

The lakes were abound with waterfowl, no cranes or swans, but plenty to pick out nonetheless. Here a Bufflehead was getting a running start.

Valentine was a great place to experience the dune lake environments, and I logged a great number of lifers there driving the roads. Next time I visit I hope the sun can make an appearance though, just imagine the Horned Grebes above in full sunlight!

1st Post Trip Update (DeSoto NWR Visitor Center Trail)

Wow - what a trip! My family visit to Orange City, Iowa, (the reason for going) was great and so were the birds. I have so many pictures that it is going to take some time to get through them, and in the meantime there are more migrants in Colorado, so here is one tiny sample from one of three sets at the DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge. By the way I saw DeSoto NWR on my AAA map while I was driving south on US 75 in eastern Nebraska, I had no idea about it, and decided that I would break up my day's drive to Grand Island by stopping there around lunch. I spent 5 hours and took over 5 Gb of pictures there while birdwatching in two states. The highlight of which was the Barred Owl above.
I had no idea about Barred Owls, and happened to spot this one just after I had thought..."Hmm haven't seen a Great Horned in a while." If only that though would work this well every time. Just one of many lifers on the trip, and I still have three substantial counts to submit to update my tally.

I'm not even sure if this is my best Brown Thrasher picture, but they were a FOY for me.

I had a lifer Harris Sparrow the night before on a cold and windy walk in Orange City. More on the hunt in scrub brush to find them later - but the next day these two were just out and about in front of a picnic table right next to my car.

Not the best of pics, but the colors of the White-Throated Sparrow stand out so well, even in a blurred flight shot.

Then there were Cedar Waxwings all over a flowering apple tree just above the Harris Sparrows next to my car, I mean really I have been spoiled.

More picture updates to follow, but for now:

2009 Count: 112

Lifetime: 129