Went to the Apple Creek wetlands east of Bismarck on Sunday morning to bird with my daughter, Chelsea Sorenson. She is a budding photographer and quite a good birder in her own right. May was such a windy month here that we didn’t do much birding; hence, we missed many of the migrating birds that hurry north to the Arctic. But our time Sunday was rewarded with some good sightings.  Here are a few of the best of my daughter’s photos this week.

American avocet.

Black-crowned night heron.

Canada goose family.

Baird sandpipers.

You can see more of her photography on Facebook on her “Wild Dakota Photos” page.

Later Sunday afternoon, I attended the (sadly) final “Conversation” at Bismarck State College, presented by President Larry Skogen and Clay S. Jenkinson. The topic was “Kill the Indian, Save the Man.”

Dr. Larry Skogen and Clay Jenkinson.

Quite a crowd at the BSC Energy Center.

Clay Jenkinson’s farewell and a summary of all of the “Conversations.”

I’ve attended as many of these as I’ve been able and have learned so much from these scholars, and I know the room was filled with people who are very sorry that the program has come to an end (due to budget cuts). The crowd gave Clay a standing ovation. If you are interested in following Clay’s work, you can find more on his website and on the “Conversations” website.

The Red Oak House garden is exploding with irises and the air is filled with their delicate and sweet fragrance.  New ones this week were:

Century bound.

Adriatic waves iris.

Vision in pink iris.

Picasso moon.

Spring and summer are such busy and happy times in North Dakota.

“It’s enough for me to be sure that you and I exist at this moment.” — Gabriel Garcia Marquez