"In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks."
— John Muir
Though I knew there was a chance to find Myadestes townsendi at Devil's Lake State Park this past weekend, the excursion was more about hiking and admiring winter scenery. The lake's ice is nearly a foot thick, so it's pretty safe to traverse for now. Having said that, given our present warming trend, it probably won't be as safe in another week or two — be cautious out there.
During winter, Devil's Lake undergoes a serene metamorphosis, unveiling a scene of hushed beauty and quiet wonder. The once vibrant bluffs, now blanketed in a soft layer of snow, stand as stoic guardians of the frozen landscape. The lake, its surface cloaked in a veil of opacity, creates an intimate atmosphere, devoid of reflections but rich in the secrets of winter. Winter's stillness whispers tales of tranquility, where the frozen lake and snow-covered bluffs come together to create a canvas of subdued elegance, inviting all who wander to discover the subtleties of the season's embrace.
Near the intersection of Grottos and Potholes Trails, the familiar and diagnostic contact call of M. townsendi was heard. Honing in on its location, two birds were spotted, chasing one another from tree to tree — bino views confirmed the species. And then to my surprise, a Setophaga coronata flew past, calling its recognizable chip-note. This particular warbler can overwinter in Wisconsin, but most of its kind are well to the south. Many years ago, I had one of these hardy warblers spend the winter in my backyard.
On this day the park hosted a mere handful of visitors, which helps make it a more intimate visit, but you do have to be careful here with so few people around. While some hikers did venture to the top of the bluff, after last year's incident that resulted in a banged-up knee and broken finger, keep to the lower trails was the most prudent course — there's simply too much snow and ice on the way up, and then back down. I'm certainly not as dexterous as I used to be and it takes longer to recover from even minor injuries.
Some decorative snow-covered pine branches ...
Though birding wasn't the primary objective for the outing, there were some nice avian finds:
Setophaga coronata
Dryocopus pileatus
Buteo lagopus
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Sitta canadensis
Picoides pubescens
Leuconotopicus villosus
Junco hyemalis
Cardinalis cardinalis
Poecile atricapillus
Corvus brachyrhynchos
Cyanocitta cristata
Myadestes townsendi
All images © 2024 Mike McDowell