Friday I finished 40 straight radiation treatments for cancer. The family said I needed to do something to celebrate my life being on hold for the past two months (not to mention the stress … cancer markers have gone to zero!)

Anyhow, I decided to follow the adage: Go West, Young Man, Go West! The problem is I am not a young man, but who cares!! Thus, yesterday afternoon after a looonng drive from northeastern Minnesota I found myself checking into a delightful inn (Eagle’s View B&B) in Fort Pierre, South Dakota, but more importantly for me my lodging is very near the Fort Pierre National Grasslands. The grasslands are beautiful, and it is interesting to think that the Great Plains used to pretty much all look like these grasslands. I arrived in the area early enough to spend a delightful late afternoon, early evening birding in the grasslands. I hear horror stories about how crowded the national parks are this summer. Well guess what? I was the only human enjoying nature at this location. However there were thousands of birds.

On the drive over I kept my eyes pointed at any pothole I drove past, and was rewarded with super close-up views of this American Avocet.

Then it was on to the National Grasslands. I even had a pair of Burrowing Owls force their way onto my camera. I was definitely NOT looking for owls. Honest!

Some of birding friends from the National Grasslands …

Burrowing Owls

Dickcissels

Upland Sandpipers

Western Meadowlarks

I am taking a break in the middle of the day for two reasons:

1. Unlike Duluth, it’s hot here (90F right now)
2. My cancer treatment was tough, and I need a rest

As Molly is not a birder, I am enjoying this area by myself, but I AM enjoying my trip. I will go home Thursday.