Garden of Yucca

The other surveyor had been waiting weeks for this road to dry out.

The description said it was an “easy” 45 minute walk to the transect. At 4:15, I walked up the hill and found this.

A badlands canyon between the car and the transect. Punked.

Both my Town Pump and my Goodwill flashlights broke.

Bought a new one in Miles City $29.99.

Worth every penny going through this in the dark.

On the other side of the canyon: rolling sage hills.

Grasshopper Sparrow, Lark Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Lark Bunting, Brewer’s Sparrow

With riparian areas in the draws.

Brown Thrasher, Spotted Towhee, Yellow Warbler, House Wren, American Goldfinch, Yellow-breasted Chat, Field Sparrow

My photos don’t do it justice.

This was my favorite day of the season so far. Easy walking, perfect weather, bird-y but not overwhelming.

Blooming Yucca and Prickly Pear.

Mourning Dove, Western Meadowlark, Violet-green Swallow, Ring-neck Pheasant, Brown-headed Cowbird, Black-billed Magpie

Greater Sage Grouse, Eastern Kingbird, Northern Flicker, Upland Sandpiper, Common Nighthawk, Horned Lark

Missouri River in the distance.

Mourning Dove