Dewey Pics

If you are a bibliophile, you may be looking for the Dewey numbers that will guide you to a suggested book. Melvin Dewey's system of classification has been in use since 1876 in libraries as a way to organize books. I have scribbled down many decimals in my time. Thanks, Melvin.

If you are an aviphile in the Sioux Falls area, however, Dewey refers to a favorite location for birding. Dewey C. Gevik (1923-1994) lived a life dedicated to the preservation of soil and water. When the Minnehaha County Conservation District set aside some acres for wetland restoration west of Sioux Falls, they named it the Dewey C. Gevik Outdoor Conservation Learning Area. The Sioux Falls Bird Club embraced their mission and built a birding observation structure on the property as well. Here are a few pics from one of my birding trips to Dewey.

There is a well-graded hiking trail around the lake. It is not a complete loop and I confess I have not made it to the end of the trail because I get so distracted by the tweet-tweets. It is always good to have more to look forward to so I intend to continue exploring the trails.

Nestled near a farmer's fence line is a bench that will give you a great view of the wetlands. Red-winged blackbirds and grackles keep me company with their boisterous voices. My binoculars are often fixated on the water while I enjoy the concert from all my friends.

This is the structure built by the Sioux Falls Bird Club. It gives birders a hideaway to discreetly observe the birds. It is a little stuffy in there on a warm day but I never pass up a chance to have a birding advantage. I continue to struggle to identify birds accurately so I am only too happy to use the hut to practice my skills.

There are several hinged windows in the observation hut and I open as many as necessary. The swallows love to build nests in and around the hut so they often start their kamikaze efforts when I get into their space. Cliff swallows and barn swallows are the usual occupants. I gently let them know I am just an interloper and that I come in peace. They do not speak old lady so they are usually not impressed.

If you look very carefully you will see that more than birds keep me company. This turtle was catching some rays and was oblivious to my presence. He was a lot easier to study with my binoculars than the flitty birds so he gave me a sense of success.

There is a cement structure in the water that often has a lone Canadian goose perched within it. He has a commanding view of the lake and I applaud his territorial stake out. No need to bob along the water with the rest of the waterfowl when you have a room with a view.

There are educational signs posted around the lake. This one is a little worse for wear but it summarizes a very important concept. Wetlands are nature's wonderland. As a former science teacher I want to raise my hand and say, "Yessiree, Bob, that is true!" I am sure Mr. Turtle agrees with me.

This is my favorite spot on the lake. There are benches along the edges of the pier and the shade can be a welcome relief when it is particularly warm. It is a perfect perch for me as I watch the birds on the water, by the water, and in the trees nearby. It would also be an ideal place for enjoying a good book. Bibliophiles and aviphiles, unite!