![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixxVoZNj0NjT5WHXmdaqyTPV0XLS1tQUKxaSwt1GWbhPrUORt_cLZHQzxigHr5z3iHSEuE2Y16tppoUXtfjCXLL5MkvnQxrNGjPZ23yxZyhR7UHM-6sGKXKyEJdSfQUSq6r2H9xA/s320/0013.eeob+birding.the+wilds.jpg)
Our first stop yielded a nice herd of American Bison, silhouetted against the blue sky.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7YzSV-GpZwl0ifaBu5pUduVNgXYas9JNY7jEHqVfVeBPRckPtGtpTaN54yaDSa2wSMsNaL6rNLqRfLO2u3aO2DJrYPrLz-1gSTSUSqr4MFVHjfTlOnTLYy_KCwkux4jn8R7m3HQ/s320/0016.eeob+birding.the+wilds.jpg)
We also spotted our first raptors of the day - Red-tailed Hawks, Northern Harriers, Rough-legged Hawks, and American Kestrels were abundant throughout the day. We also spotted Short-eared Owls late in the afternoon.
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Our first stop yielded Horned Larks as well - a life bird for me (as was the Rough-legged Hawk).
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I've always been the driver when horned larks have been spotted in previous field trips, so I was really happy to be able to stop and get a good look at this couple.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CxA9d1pxTfaGU6F5x5V8fNgPIVK0larrriT_geZLsRF9dc8zJpbnaqXqthnxYaDF9HAlBqglV_9pkiK7Tr4L7hBvMbt9zjhznVFeiOJ9ApHRPSsiJfTDImd6m0ndHAMbkKqFtA/s320/0039.eeob+birding.the+wilds.jpg)
We stopped at a nice overlook and had a wonderful show of rough-legged hawks. You could also see a variety of ungulates across the valley.
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The raptors put on quite a show.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9u3z60lFd1hqTbd9wDoa7OZOQj0jq0Yh1JdXdRUqgGdljq6ZUImzcyyEt8Pv9mQwuQp-9d_MqhrhELvArKV_i-Yp7cnyeL1o6Vj2AcJx2W_Xn4SKZHD0w-v_bl7-spm33gqY7Bw/s320/0045.eeob+birding.the+wilds.jpg)
The spotting scopes were put to good use, and you can get a feel for the large turnout we had for the day - a four car caravan.
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The Eastern Blue Birds are showing great color this time of year. We saw a pair along the fence line.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGg0wkOjKXtiSouJ_tovPWAoS1FBwK3NGdSY-jUMr3ZRHXbkf3OatziAUGv5IUlvgqE4we1EdnLOw4aCePQf8_8P58qHYt3Vs47RFIanlHDOZGztCDNBJUNu-tLs0ldVAh0x68PQ/s320/0054.the+wilds.deer.jpg)
One of the deer species at the reserve.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicgUDlMtw-F4NoNneJA9MbNLeriB9E9CD9EtYlgTI0hGq229fwZbFZRcUA31EnemJVetD-jgd58_w8Cp8iUIUpkV5T6J1MEzhvAc5nZrhw-ozv_Y-Qc1LQBUMmUyA5Q3rB212cew/s320/0056.killdeer.jpg)
Killdeers were all over the place, too.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUpVk8dHUAGQdjat5Tm1_PW-YqNHdxtMUoRCgQdUpKajbRcQoRvKGs1jPIaIC-ZuWge_ct_VZ4ZWmvSXGychAPWRG7vULsDP3IZFHd-9nc_UFN47evH0NMXnGSjYFqyH2wplY4Ow/s320/0059.eeob+birding.the+wilds.jpg)
We spotted owls at our last stop of the day.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJwiUlEmiEYw62GLkugVIwrOLi880VKHk7qc_AIEmLMkaMW4QY6rm7FD7tnoEoFmrUBLnQlFFUw_9s5UCuqMDGXSopr6l86aZ3tX9G2syAT1WZ3RpcZ16LCSJp78U6LU1CbDkpQ/s320/0060.eeob+birding.the+wilds.jpg)
A souvenir from the day - my van looked like it had traveled on very muddy roads. The rains washed it away the next day, so no worries on getting it off.
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