Birding the Apple Creek wetlands

American Avocet (photo by Chelsea Sorenson)

Went to the Apple Creek wetlands east of Bismarck on Sunday morning to bird with my daughter, Chelsea Sorenson.  She is a budding photographer and quite a good birder in her own right.   May was such a windy month here that we didn't do much birding; hence, we missed many of the migrating birds who hurry north to the Arctic.  But our time Sunday was rewarded with some good sightings.  Here are a few of the best of my daughter's photos this week.

Black-crowned Night Heron (photo by Chelsea Sorenson)

Canada Goose family (photo by Chelsea Sorenson)

Baird Sandpipers (photo by Chelsea Sorenson)

Apple Creek wetlands at sunset (photo by Chelsea Sorenson)

You can see more of her photography on Facebook on her "Wild Dakota Photos" page.


Later Sunday afternoon, I attended the (sadly) final "Conversation" at Bismarck State College, presented by President Larry Skogen and Clay S. Jenkinson. The topic today was "Kill the Indian, Save the Man."

Dr. Skogen and Clay

Quite a crowd at the BSC Energy Center

Clay's farewell and a summary of all of the "Conversations"

I've attended as many of these as I've been able and have learned so much from these scholars, and I know the room was filled today with people who are very sorry that the program has come to an end (due to budget cuts).  The crowd gave him a standing ovation. If you are interested in following Clay's work, you can find more on his website and on the "Conservations" website.

The Red Oak House garden is exploding with irises and the air is filled with their delicate and sweet fragrance.  New ones this week were

Century Bound

Adriatic Waves Iris

Vision in Pink Iris

Picasso Moon

Spring and summer are such busy and happy times in North Dakota.

"It's enough for me to be sure that you and I exist at this moment." Gabriel Garcia Marquez