Smith's Longspur

This is my Lifer Smith's Longspur (Calcarius pictus) found at Last Mountain Lake in south-central Saskatchewan late September, 2012. 

This one plus two others were flitting around the cut and baled hay; two flew off and this male decided to hide in the shade of a large, round bale.  It was a hot day.  I don't blame him one bit....except it didn't give me much of a chance for getting a good photo.  Ah well....

Smith's Longspurs were one of the species I hoped to see around Churchill, MB (June), but we failed to find any.  Smith's Longspurs, along with its more common relative, the Lapland Longspur, is a tundra-breeder.  Smith's migrate to the south-eastern prairies of the US (E. Oklahoma, Texas, etc) to hang out in short grass prairie, mowed hay fields near water.  A habitat that perfectly describes where I saw them in here in SK.

Pete Dunn calls this The Tawny Longspur.  A good description, as my bird had a distinctly tawny breast  and generally overall, even though not in breeding plumage. 


References:
 
Pete Dunn's Essential Field Guide Companion 

All About Birds

 

Wildflowers And Turkeys

Last June, after my Churchill trip, I spent a day driving around the woods and marshes east of Winnipeg.  I love marshes and fens. 

 The Blue Flag Irises (Iris versicolor) were blooming (irises are my favourite garden flower) 

  
There are bugs on these flowers, wonder what they are.

 A Large Yellow Lady`s Slipper  (Cypripedium pubescens var. pubescens).  Another wild flower I am always delighted to find.

Some Yellow Pond-lily (Nuphar variegatum) pads with a flower bud

Two Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) toms....who were displaying and putting on a bit of a performance, until we got close.  I never have the `right` lens on my DSLR.

Oh well, it is always fun to see these big, rather ugly-yet-handsome birds.