Western Meadowlark at the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge - Their Land and Ours

These Western Meadowlarks (Sturnella neglecta) were out and about yesterday at the Tule Elk enclosure at the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge. Spring is just around the corner; the grass is already green and growing, and the trees can't be far behind.

 We were out on a 'lark', and ended up at the refuge. As we drove along the autotour, I was reflecting on the horrible events at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, where armed thugs took over the park headquarters and threatened to kill anyone who tried to root them out. It angered me beyond words, but I wrote words anyway over at Geotripper (link here). But as the bird songs continued I relaxed and ended up thoroughly enjoying the afternoon sojourn.

The Western Meadowlarks were singing for mates, and it seemed that practically all the other birds were as well. After four years of drought and dryness, it was so nice to see an explosion of life.