Yesterday afternoon, there were several thunderstorms that went through the area, with lots of lightning but little rain. The National Weather Service had issued a red flag warning and it was a good warning. It was almost sundown when I saw smoke to my south and more smoke to my west. The smoke to the south was more worrisome, there was lots of it and it was hard to tell how far away it was.
This is what it looked like from my camp. I decided I needed to investigate before getting too worried about it. Could be 5 miles away or 20 miles or more. I drove up Mann Road to the highway, where there is a good view to the south. At 400mm focal length this is what it looked like. I still wasn’t sure how far away it was but I felt like I was in no danger unless the wind started blowing hard from the south. As it turned it, on the news this morning I learned this is the Red Canyon Fire and it is about 20 miles south of my camp. This is the smoke from the other fire, rising up over the Elk Mountains to my west and no threat to me. A Blue-gray Gnatcatcher has just caught a stink bug. Lost Spring. There seems to be a bumper crop of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers in this area. I finally got the Pinyon Jays in Ferguson Canyon. I’ve been checking for them every time I go to Newcastle for groceries, this time it paid off. Species number 334 for the year. Not a very good photo, but a very good bird for South Dakota. An Ash-throated Flycatcher, only the second record for South Dakota. This was at Lost Spring. I thought maybe some other birders would come to look for it but no one else ever showed up. I have so many photos of Townsend’s Solitaire that I wonder why bother to take more. I guess this is why, I really like this one! Same for the Western Wood-Pewee. As you will notice, it is on the same perch. This is at Baldwin Spring, my favorite bird photography spot in the Black Hills (don’t tell anyone!). A Red Squirrel, also at Baldwin Spring.
3 replies on “Lightning and Fire”
The Pinyon Jays are just fabulous! Congrats on 334! Glad your camp is safe and you’re getting some great birds!
I’m glad that fire wasn’t any closer. Great photos! I love the expression on the gnatcatchers face, like its so pleased with its catch.
It certainly has been a season of fire. It has cut out a number of my favorites this summer. We have been blessed with record rain now, so I think we will be better off from now on. I’m watching the purple martens congregate here in the harbor, preparing for their southern journey. It is coming soon.
3 replies on “Lightning and Fire”
The Pinyon Jays are just fabulous! Congrats on 334! Glad your camp is safe and you’re getting some great birds!
I’m glad that fire wasn’t any closer. Great photos! I love the expression on the gnatcatchers face, like its so pleased with its catch.
It certainly has been a season of fire. It has cut out a number of my favorites this summer. We have been blessed with record rain now, so I think we will be better off from now on. I’m watching the purple martens congregate here in the harbor, preparing for their southern journey. It is coming soon.