Birds and Photography

On the Trail of the Bobolink

It’s a joy to see unfamiliar species, even one so unusual as the bobolink

I stopped at Rice Lake State Park on the way west to the Black Hills of South Dakota. My goals were to stretch my legs and to observe and photograph birds in a new location. The park was just 40 miles into the 600-mile drive to the Black Hills from my home in Rochester, Minnesota.

When Nature had made all her birds, With no more cares to think on, She gave a rippling laugh and out There flew a Bobolinkon. — C.P. Cranch

I spotted various ducks and songbirds as I hiked along the shore of Rice Lake. But I heard an unfamiliar song as I walked into the meadow.

There, atop a lone tree, a black and white bird with gold on its head sang away. It appeared unfamiliar to me. But the name bobolink came to mind. Later, I looked it up in the Audubon app and confirmed the name.

The male bobolink looked around and sang for a couple of minutes. Then he flew away.

It’s always a wonder to see a new species of bird or other wildlife. I can’t wait to see more unfamiliar creatures on my tour of South Dakota and the Black Hills.

One thing is for sure. From now on, I am on the trail of the bobolink.