Pics from Perry

I am heading out to the quarry, hard hat and pickaxe in hand. Okay, so I am embellishing a bit. No hard hat or pickaxe needed but I have a pair of binoculars ready to go. Another birding hot spot for me is Perry Nature Area. It is not far from my house which makes it handy and it is rich in history and beautiful natural features.

Perry Nature Area was originally a part of East Sioux Falls, a sister city to Sioux Falls. East Sioux Falls was built in the 1880's to accommodate workers at a quartzite quarry. In its heyday there were over 600 residents and it included a store, hotel, school, train depot and, of course, a saloon and a jail. Hard times fell upon the city when the quarry went bankrupt during the economic depression of 1893. A man named G.H. Perry attempted to save the quarry, but, alas, the writing was on the wall as a new building material called concrete was replacing the use of stone. Eventually, the quarry closed and the city of East Sioux Falls disbanded.

The land stayed in the family of G.H. Perry until 1999 when they donated much of it to Minnehaha County. The area is now home to the Perry Nature Area and a lovely arboretum and small museum. Not surprisingly, it is a great place to go birding or hiking or both!

This is my favorite birding spot. It is on the edge of a woodland trail and it attracts a variety of warblers, vireos, sparrows and finches. I am sure the enormous cottonwood tree was here when East Sioux Falls was bustling with kids looking for playground equipment, no safety waivers required back then.

The trail is graced with the remains of the quarry and the city homes. This structure is what is left of the rock crushing portion of the quarry. The loud sounds of a crusher in action are now replaced by a crabby blue jay letting me know who is in charge of the woods.

The city homes are gone but the trees continue to provide lodging for squirrels and birds. This oriole nest is ready to provide a cozy basket home for a family of three or four. Across the trail from this nest is a hollowed out tree which is the address for a very noisy starling family. Mama starling is never happy with me.

An iconic structure in the park is the Main Avenue Bridge. It was used by the residents of East Sioux Falls and it is still enjoyed by many folks. It is a great place for photo opportunities or doing a little stream watching. The birds also love to use the railing for their restroom which creates a Pollock painting effect.

The dandelions are a perfect backdrop for American Goldfinches. From a distance, the bird's bright yellow coloring looks like one of the flowers. Closer inspection reveals their love of seeds as they pull off the dandelion's fluff. Despite their small stature they are not the littlest birds in the park. Watch carefully and you will see buzzy little hummingbirds, too.

I give this picnic shelter an A+. It is near a stream and nestled in the woods. The hanging flower baskets add a little extra ambiance to the experience. It is the ideal place to share a packed lunch or dinner with friends and family. If you are lucky, the bird band will provide you with charming background music. No extra charge for the ants and flying insects that might also join you.

And, because no party is complete without a fungi, the park provides that as well. Enjoy!