The northern migration along the central fly way is proceeding con gusto. I downloaded lists of which birds are in the area, which are moving on, and which are about to arrive. But, more fun than the lists: driving around Kidder County for a “look see”! Kidder County is a top ten North American birding spot and is about an hour from me. Of course, birds are plentiful all over, in and out of Kidder County even though it is early. Since I mostly just drove around (due to plummeting temps and snow), I have only a few photos. Have not figured out how to drive and take photos as I zoom by birds : )

So, what I am seeing?

1. Large numbers of migrating Canada Geese and Snow Geese.

 

My drab photo, endless lines of geese in the sky

 

2. Small groups of wetland first arrivals in the shallow  ponds/lakes that have thawed, including Plovers and Gulls

3. Other scattered early birds in expected habitats, including Red-winged blackbird (perched on old cattails)

4.Hungry Raptors: Swainson’s Hawk on yield sign, two Golden Eagles

5. Returning urban birds:  Starling, Robin, Tree Swallow

However, I am getting WAY ahead of the story. Here is how it came down.

After church on Sunday, I set off on my first 2015 camping adventure. I head straight towards Kidder County after dreaming about it all winter. Along the way, I stop at many Wildlife Management Areas, expecting to find a campground. Nope:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hay bales right up to edge of park!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nope: no campground here, either. Or anywhere else.

 

 

 

 

 

After a few hours ambling along in the van (pulling the camper) I see a turn off  to the famous Chase Lake Refuge (home of largest number of nesting White Pelicans). I drive towards it and discover that through dumb luck, I was on one the birding trails in the area. As I came down a small hill, I encounter snow in the road.  I drive over one drift, but the second one, shown below, is higher than it looks. I try to back up over the first drift.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stuck. I ended up digging out (would never go anywhere in the back country without a shovel and snow shovel). The photo below shows that drift I managed to cross but could not back over. Once I dug out, I had to back up about 50 yards, around a that curve that you see in the photo. Finally, I found a shoulder big enough to turn around the camper and head straight. Such a great feeling to pull a camper forward rather than push it backward. I  will never take going forward for granted again!

 

 

 

 

 

 

While I am stuck and contemplating my plan of action, I glance to the left and see that I am finally where I want to be–on a serious wildlife refuge where waterfowl roam and nest. And I am stuck in the snow/mud in the back country of the back country state of North Dakota!

 

 

 

 

 

 

After slowly and carefully extricating myself from a muddy, wet situation, I head back to the “main road,” past other branches of the birding trail. I pass a half-dozen honey farms. There is one in Wishek too. Guess we have healthy bee populations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I pass many more wildlife management areas and small lakes. Still no campsites. A few small towns pop up here and there. The little town of Pettibone offers camping- at last-so I veer onto the dirt road and drive 1/2 mile in to the tiny town.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first thing I see in town:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please, please, please tell me that it says Pettibone Grain Company. But no, and as I get closer an icy chill runs down my spine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Huh? Is that a joke? Brain Company? At that moment, I am fairly certain I see the ragged shirt tale of a zombie as he runs behind a tree. OKAY.  I get it. Pettibone (small bone) is a zombie community. They lure in campers, steal their small bones and brains, and ??? I quickly decide this is NOT the place for me to camp and zoom out to the “main” road again.

I am so relieved 45 minutes later when I arrive at US 281. This is a real main road, and heads to a real town- Jamestown. I check out a campground on Jamestown Reservoir but it looks zombie infested too, besides, it costs $25/night. Onward, south towards Jamestown, where I have minister meetings on Tuesday, which is why I headed this way in the first place.

Ta-da! The heavens part and sunbeams shine down on Pipestem Reservoir and a sweet little county park on a bluff. It costs only $10/night and is empty. I pull in.

Next: unexpected snow and a 25-degree night in the camper.