Ponca!? Ahhh...What's a Ponca?

Nebraska does not disappoint, as far as birds are concerned.

If you ever find yourself in the farthest northeast corner of Nebraska for any period of time, be sure and investigate the 1,400 acre State Park named Ponca. If the rest of the state leaves a person with one particular impression of what the majority of it is like, then Ponca, turns that on its head. There are barely enough ways to describe the versatile ecosystems that seem to have all congregated in this one area; Dense woodlands, prairie hilltops, the mighty Missouri river, and a plethora of tree species. I could sit here on this blog and re-describe the beauty and variety of the natural wonder that is Ponca, but I'm not going to. Check the link for the park and read all there is to read if you so choose, I (on the other hand) will merely scratch the surface of possibilities that the park has to offer in the next few paragraphs, regarding the many species of birds that inhabit (and visit) this grand oasis. Oh, and there's also a city named "Ponca" so you don't get confused...

Our campsite in Turkey Ridge offered us the special opportunity to watch the constant feedings and attention given to a new family of Baltimore Orioles be attended to by the male. Boysenberries seemed to be plentiful, and the doting father flew back and forth to the pendulous nest with a beak-full for his eagerly awaiting brood of chicks. The feedings went on all evening and resumed in the morning at dawn.

The view of the Missouri River from the lookout is stunning so make sure you check it out. The park has all the beauty and charm of one of the finest I have had the fortune to encounter. The birdlife all around was spectacular. My early morning walk to catch Ponca's unique dawn chorus yielded many species; Western and Eastern Meadowlark, Red-shafted Flicker, Downey Woodpecker, Eastern Wood Pewee, Baltimore Oriole, American Redstart, Warbling Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, American Robin, Ring-necked Pheasant, Northern Cardinal, American Goldfinch, Common Grackle, Brewer's Blackbird, Blue jay, Chipping Sparrow and my first Lark Sparrow ever!

It wasn't too long before we had to pack it up and be on our way, but I promise to return someday as there is so much more to explore, and I don't want to miss a thing.