Carl Wolf, The Outdoors Section
It was not only dark, but cold and a bit windy. People came anyhow. Sitting on a bench in the shadow of the Pompey’s Pillar museum, I wondered if they would come. Two young women, then an older couple, then some more folks. They were bundled up, but had binoculars at hand or hanging around their necks.
“Is this where the bird walk starts?” some asked. Yes, I told them, but we had to wait a few minutes more so others could find their way here to the base of the walkway to the top of the Monument. Meantime I told them there is a test to take. Handing out feathers from various birds, the group identified turkey, dove, pheasant, warbler and raven.
Slowly climbing the stairway with periodic pauses, birds began to fly by. Starlings, Canada geese, a sandhill crane, then a blue heron. Light was good enough now to see a small sparrow hawk overhead and a golden eagle that came almost close enough to touch. History, habitat, ecology, identification and just plain old enjoyment kept the group active while looking down on the Yellowstone River in the early light. Migrations were beginning and soon long flights of eagles, hawks, falcons, vultures and other birds would be winging by the cliffs on the far side of the river as the morning sun warmed the rocks. The rising warm air would generate heat flows that helped pelicans, accipiters, buteos and other large winged birds soar high, then slowly descend to pick up more rising heat so they could do it all over again, heading for warmer climates.
As the walk ended among stations set up for the FALL FESTIVAL, one could watch black powder shooting to gold panning and the many folks heading for the marathon. Eventually the pancakes, syrup, hot coffee and sausages warmed us up – especially the hot coffee! A walk around among the donkeys, horses, antelope and bison turned up a few small birds as well. Black-capped chickadees, robins, a small downy woodpecker and some LBB’s (Little Brown Birds). A young great horned owl that had been located next to the museum left for the nearby woods.
The FALL FESTIVAL is the first of its kind and this one turned out pretty good. The timing of year and clock was noted and some adjustments will be discussed, say Trudie Porter Biggers and Neal Gunnels for the Pompeys Pillar Historical Association. The group works with the BLM to help the public understand and enjoy the wonder of the area. It was interesting to lead a bird walk in the morning, then in the afternoon go goose hunting (this also was first day of the waterfowl season). Special and Prairie were on the job when the first Canada goose of the fall season was retrieved to hand (9.5 pounds, a mouthful for Prairie while Special just studied the art of retrieving). read more
