Dy 105, Monday July 16, 2018, Rydell NWR----too late for orchids----great bird sightings

Yes it was too late n the seasn to see the orchids at the Rydell and Glacial Ridge NWR's.  It is a great show but this is mid summer and all Ruth could see were the dried stalks and leaves . We may come back in the spring just to see the,]m. They are a great show.

 The Rydell National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1992 by means of a land donation from the Richard King Mellon Foundation. The Refuge’s purpose is to protect wildlife habitat and diversity, encourage waterfowl and other migratory bird production, and promote environmental education and recreation.

The hardwood forests located in and around Rydell are the most westerly maple-basswood forests in Minnesota. The intersection of forests, lakes, wetlands, and prairie makes it a great place to see nearly 200 bird species. The refuge also includes a 17-acre bog wetland. A unique aspect of the refuge, this acidic environment supports the growth of the tiny, carnivorous sundew plant.
At least 19 farmsteads, many of them log structures, were once located on the Refuge.
 There are seven lakes on the property, each of which as has a trail around it, Each  trail is car width, and  they have paved almost all of it, as it is used for handicapped access with golf carts. A very sound idea and they promote that use. I found that information on the internet and that is how we explored the refuge today.

Inside the NWR Visitor's Center. Good educational use.

Front view of the Visitor's center and the HQ.

We signed in at 10:00 Am and Maddy  (a summer intern)  our chaperone for the day , explained how it works. She drives and we tell her when to stop and what to look for. She adds hints and suggestions as needed. It was a wonderful 2 1/2 hour tour and we were able to see all the lakes and the "old farm houses' that are still there on the properties.  Maddy did a great job as we shared one another's stories.

The entry road

The "Strom" cabin, an original homestead. It is covered to protect it from the weather.

Then on some of the tours around the lakes we began to see birds. In the bushes  an AMERICAN REDSTART, on a lake a TRUMPETER SWAN and a cygnet. Another lake produced a COMMON LOON  and baby. there were PHOEBES, CHIPPING SPARROWS, DUSKY FLYCATHERS, and a family of EARED GREBES  (young included) .

An American Bald Eagle flew over the truck.

Monarch B'fly on milkweed.

Ruth and Maddy examining the blind used by the Refuge.

A distant shot of an Eared Grebe and young.

Finally on the way home there was a chance to see some of the local scenes as we looked for the orchids.

A very typical small town granary and storage for grain. Seen many times.

Also common, these 140 coal cars trains, moving east from Wyoming and other places

My favorite , the passing "Montana" clouds. It was like this all day.

See you tomorrow as we look on the side roads for birds that might be new.