Great Horned Owl Blind

Oliver County, North Dakota

April 26, 2020 to May 31, 2020

Trips and Adventures

2006

Alaska

• June 14, left Bismarck 11 AM, arrived MSP 12:19 PM, left MSO at 2:30 PM, arrived Anchorage 5:40 PM, drove to Homer, Alaska, Land End
• June 15, Homer, Alaska
• June 16, Homer, Alaska
• June 17, Homer, Alaska
• June 18 drove to Seward, Alaska
• June 19, Kenia Fjords National Park
• June 20, drove to Russian River, Gwin's Lodge, Coopers Landing
• June 21, Russian River National Forest Campground
• June 22, Russian River National Forest Campground
• June 23, Russian River then Gwin's Lodge, Coopers Landing
• June 24, Coopers Landing to Anchorage, Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott
• June 25, Anchorage to Denali National Park, Savage River Campground
• June 26, Denali National Park, Savage River Campground
• June 27, Denali National Park to Anchorage, Hampton Inn, Anchorage
• June 28, left Anchorage 1:10 PM, arrived MSP 9:35 PM, left MSP 10:05 PM arrived Bismarck 11:28 PM

2007

New Zealand

• June 2, left Bismarck, delayed in MSP, missed flight at LAX, flew to Australia then to New Zealand, arriving in Auckland
• June 5, Auckland to Rotorua via Hobbiton
• June 6, Rotorua to Huka Falls to Lake Taupo to Mt. Raupehu to Ohakune
• June 7, Ohakune to Wellington
• June 8, Wellington
• June 9, Wellington to Christchurch
• June 10, Christchurch to Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki, Mt. Cook to Twizel
• June 11, Twizel to Lake Wanaka to Cromwell
• June 12, Cromwell to Alexandra to Ophir to Queenstown
• June 13, Queenstown to Mavora Lakes to Te Anau
• June 14, Milford Sound cruise
• June 15, Queenstown
• June 16, left Queenstown and returned to Bismarck

Tanzania

• October 30, left Bismarck 5:05 AM to MSP 6:24 AM, left MSP 4:15 PM, arrived Amsterdam 6:30 AM, left Amsterdam 10:20 AM, arrived Kilimanjaro 8:45 PM on October 31
• October 31, stayed Arumeru River Lodge
• November 1, Arusha National Park, Arumeru River Lodge
• November 2, Arumeru River Lodge
• November 3, drive to Londorossi, entered Kilimanjaro National Park hiked to Shira 1 Camp
• November 4, Kilimanjaro National Park hiking Shira Plateau to Shira 2 Camp
• November 5, Kilimanjaro National Park hike to Lava Tower on to Barranco Camp
• November 6, Kilimanjaro National Park hike Barranco Wall to Karanga Camp
• November 7, Kilimanjaro National Park hike to Barafu Camp, 15,091 feet or 4,600 meters
• November 8, Kilimanjaro National Park hike to Uhuru Peak, 19,340 feet, summiting at 7:45 AM in first group, age 56 years, descended to Mweka Village
• November 9, Mweka Village to Arumeru River Lodge
• November 10, Arumeru River Lodge to Tarangire National Park, Tarangire Safari Lodge, lions walked past tent during night
• November 11, Tarangire National Park to Ngorongoro National Park, Ngorongoro Farm House
• November 12, Ngorongoro National Park
• November 13, Ngorongoro National Park to Serengeti National Park, Serengeti Serena
• November 14, Serengeti National Park
• November 15, Serengeti National Park to Arumeru River Lodge
• November 16, Arusha National Park to airport, left 9:40 PM Kilimanjaro, arrived Amsterdam at 7:15 AM, left Amsterdam at 10:20 AM, arrived MSP 12:35 PM, left MSP 2:20 PM, arrived Bismarck at 3:48 PM

2009

Denali National Park

• August 29, left Bismarck 4:28 PM, arrived MSP 5:59 PM, left MSP 7 PM, arrived Anchorage 9:52 PM
• August 30, left Anchorage on Alaska Railroad, Riley Creek Campground
• August 31
• September 1, Teklanika Campground, Denali National Park
• September 2, Backcounty permit Polychrome Mountain- backpacking and camping
• September 3, Wonder Lake Campground, Denali National Park
• September 4, Wonder Lake Campground, Denali National Park
• September 5, Wonder Lake Campground, Denali National Park
• September 6, Wonder Lake Campground, Denali National Park
• September 7, Igloo Creek Campground, Denali National Park
• September 9, Teklanika Campground, Denali National Park
• September 9, Riley Creek Campground, Denali National Park
• September 10, took Alaska Railrod from Denali to Anchorage, left Anchorage 10:55 PM, arrived MSP 7:16 PM, left MSP 8:58 AM, arrived Bismarck 10:27 AM

2010

Katmai National Park, Alaska

• July 17, left Bismarck at 6:40 AM, arrived MSP 7:55 Am, left MSP 9:25 AM to Portland, 11:02 AM, left Portland 12:35 PM, arrive Anchorage 3:20 PM, drove to Seward
• July 18, Kenai Fjords National Park cruise, drove back to Anchorage, stayed Holiday Inn Express, Anchorage
• July 19, flew Anchorage on Penair, left 9 AM, Katmai National Park, stayed at Brooks Lodge
• July 20, Katmai National Park, stayed at Brooks Lodge
• July 21, Katmai National Park, stayed at Brooks Lodge
• July 22, left Brooks Lodge and flew to Anchorage, left Anchorage 11:15 PM, arrived MSP 7:38 AM, left MSP 9:10 AM, arrived Bismarck 10:30 AM

Peru

• October 9, left Bismarck 6:30 AM, arrive MSP, left MSP 10:15 AM to Atlanta, left Atlanta 5 PM to Lima, arrived 10:50 PM 
• October 10, left Lima, 9:10 AM, arrived Cusco Airport 10:25 AM, Hotel Casa Andina
• October 11, drove to Sacsayhuaman, then Sacred Valley to Awana Cancha, then to Pisac, stayed Urubamba Boutique Lodge
• October 12, drove to Moray, hiked 5 KM, drove to Maras salt mines, stayed Urubamba Boutique Lodge
• October 13, Inca Trail, started hiking at KM 82, Wilkaray ruins, csmped at Huayllabamba, 11 km hiking
• October 14, Inca Trail, hiked through Yunkachimpa and Corralpunku cloud forests, climbed pass at 14,000 feet elevation, ruins at Runkurakay, camped at Pacaymayo, 12 km hiking
• October 15, Inca Trail, hiked second pass at 13,000 feet, Sayacmara, camped at Puyapatamarca, terrible evening and night time thunderstorm, stream ran under tent
• October 16, Inca Trail, Winay Wayna (Forever Young) ruins, Sun Gate of Machu Picchu, 10 km hiking, Pueblo Hotel, Inkaterra Machu Picchu
• October 17, tour of Machu Picchu, train back to Cusco, Casa Andina Private Collection
• October 18, morning flight from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado, Reserva Amazonica- Inkaterra
• October 19, hike to Lake Sandoval, Reserva Amazonica- Inkaterra
• October 20, flew from Puerto Maldonado to Cusco, flew from Cusco on LAN, left 2:05 PM, arrived Lima 4:45 PM 
• October 21, flew from Lima, Peru, left 12:20 AM to Atlanta, left Atlanta 10:15 AM to MSP, left MSP at 1:10 PM, arrived Bismarck

2011

Mt. Ranier, Washington State, Mountaineering Course

• July 6, left Bismarck 8:50 AM, arrived MSP 10:14 AM, left MSP 11:49 AM, arrived Seattle 1:33 PM to Marqueen Hotel
• July 7, hike to Winthrop Glacier, Mt. Rainer National Park
• July 8, Winthrop Glacier, Mt. Rainer National Park
• July 9, Winthrop Glacier, Mt. Rainer National Park
• July 10, Winthrop Glacier, Mt. Rainer National Park
• July 11, Winthrop Glacier, Mt. Rainer National Park
• July 12, Winthrop Glacier, Mt. Rainer National Park
• July 13, Camp Shurman, Mt. Rainer National Park
• July 14, Camp Shurman, Mt. Rainer National Park to Seattle
• July 15, Seattle, Marqueen Hotel
• July 16, left Seattle at 12:59 AM. arrived MSP 6:11 AM, left MSP at 9:05 AM, arrived Bismarck 10:31 AM July 17

Churchill, Manitoba, Canada- Polar Bears

• November 6, drove from Bismarck to Winnipeg, Four Points Sheraton
• November 7, flew Winnipeg on Calm Air, leaving at 6:30 AM, arrived Churchill at 9:5 AM, flew to Seal River Heritage Lodge
• November 8, Seal River, Hudson Bay, Manitoba
• November 9, Seal River, Hudson Bay, Manitoba
• November 10, Seal River, Hudson Bay, Manitoba
• November 11, flew to Churchill in morning, flew from Churchill, 6:30 PM, arrrived Winnipeg 9 PM, Four Points Sheraton
• November 12, drove from Winnipeg back to Bismarck

2012

Indonesia

• July 22, left Bismarck 11:00 AM, arrived MSP 12:10 Pm, left MSP 3:10 PM to Tokyo to Singapore, arrive July 24, 12:10 AM
• July 24, arrived Singapore, stayed at Crowne Plaza Changi, left 12:20 PM flew to to Jakarta's Soekarno Hatta International Airport on Garuda Indonesia, arrived 1:10 PM, stayed at Hotel Ciputra
• July 25, left Jakarta airport and flew to Bandar Lampung, Sumatra, met by members of Sumatra Rhino Protection Units, drove to Way Kambas National Park, stayed at Satwa Elephant EcoLodge
• July 26, boat ride to Camp D on Way Kanaan River, Sumatra Rhino Protection Units, stayed at Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary
• July 27, tour of the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary, drove to Bandar Lampung, stayed at Hotel Novotel
• July 28, drove to Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, RPU Camp 50, planted a tree, back to Hotel Novotel
• July 29, flew from Bandar Lampung to Jakarta, tour of National Museum of Jakarta, shopped at Pasaraya Grande, dinner Cafe Batavia, stayed at Hotel Gran Mahakkam, Jakarta
• July 30, drove to Anyer, boarded Cecelia Anne, 60 foot wooden ketch rigged sailing boat, sailed to Handeleum Island, Ujung Kulon Natonal Park, slept Cecelia Anne
• July 31, boat tour of Cigenteur River to Guard Post then Legon Pakis to Javan Rhino Study and Conservation Area, slept Cecelia Anne
• August 1, sailed to Tanjung Layar beach, Peucang Island, snorkled, then to banteng grazing grounds at Cidaon, slept Cecelia Anne, overnight sail Sunda Straits
• August 2, Anak Kratatoa, hiked half way to summit, then sailed back to Anyer and drove to Jakarta, Hotel Ciputra
• August 3, left Jakarta 6:25 AM GAruda Indonesia, arrived Singapore 9:05 AM, tea at Raffles Hotel, stayed at Crowne Plaza Changi Airport
• August 4, birding at Singapore Botanic Gardens, Bukit Batok Nature Park, Sugei Buloh Wetland Reserve, stayed at Crowne Plaza Changi Airport
• August 5, left 6:10 AM Singapore to Tokyo to MSP, arrived 1:10 PM, left MSP 3:05 PM, arrived Bismarck, 4:31 PM
• Trip leader Susie Ellis, PhD, Executive Director of the International Rhino Foundation (IRF), traveled with David E. Wildt, Director of the Smithsonian's Conservation Biology Institute’s Center for Species Survival 

2013

Singapore and Indonesia

• March 28, left Bismarck 7:50 AM, arrived MSP 9:15 AM, left MSP 2:15 PM, arrived Singapore March 30, 1:35 AM
• March 30, traveled to Trader's Hotel, Singapore
• March 31, tour of Jurong Bird Park, Singapore, Trader's Hotel, Registration of Sumatran Rhino Crisis Summit, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Wildlife Reserves Singapore, Sime Darby Foundation, Sabah Wildlife Department, Director General of Republic of Indonesia
• April 1, Sumatran Rhino Crisis Summit, Jurong Bird Park, Trader's Hotel
• April 2, Sumatran Rhino Crisis Summit, Jurong Bird Park, Trader's Hotel, Environmenta, Science, Technology and Health Issues office at the US Embassy Singapore
• April 3, Sumatran Rhino Crisis Summit, Jurong Bird Park, Trader's Hotel
• April 4, left Singapore 6:45 PM arrived Jakarta 7:40 PM Garuda Indonesia, Gran Mahakam Hotel, Jakarta
• April 5, Jakarta tour, left 5:15, flew to Bandar Lampung, Sumatra, met by members of Sumatra Rhino Protection Units, drove to Way Kambas National Park, slept Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary
  
• April 6, Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary (SRS) tour, Way Kanan river tour, slept Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary
• April 7, left SRS 7 AM to Bandar Lampung, flew at 10:30 AM to Jakarta arrived, noon, flew from Jakarta at 4:30 PM, arrive Singapore 7:20 PM, slept Crown Plaza
• April 8, left Singapore 6 AM, to Tokyo to MSP, arrived 12:55 PM, Interview for Global Entry at 3 PM, left MSP 7:15 PM arrived Bismarck 8:43 PM

Iceland

• August 22, left Bismarck 3:15 PM, arrive MSP 4:37 PM, left MSP 7:30 PM Icelandair, arrived Reykjavik, Iceland 6:30 AM, 
• August 23, Hotel Odinsve, Reykjavik
• August 24, Thingvellir to Geysir to Gullfoss, Hotel Gullfoss
• August 25, Eyjafjallaokull to Reynisfjall to Vik, Hotel Klaustur
• August 26, Laki Volcano, Hotel Klaustur
• August 27, Vatnajokull National Park, Fosshotel Skaftafell
• August 28, Ingolfsofdl Headland to Jokulsarlon, Hotel Hofn
• August 29, Hofn to Lake Myvatn, Hotel Reynihlid
• August 30, Viti Crater to Namaskard, Hotel Reynihlid
• August 31, Namafjall to Dimmuborgir, Hotel Odinsve, Reykavik
• September 1, Blue Lagoon then to Keflavik International Airport, left 4:45 PM on Icelandair, arrive MSP 6:05 PM, Crown Plaza, MSP airport
• September 2, left MSP 12:39 PM, arrived Bismarck 12:39 PM

Patagonia- Chile and Argentina

• October 18, left Bismarck 12:55 PM, arrived MSP 2:19 PM, left MSP 5:30 PM, arrived Atlanta 8:58 PM, left Atlanta 10:35 PM, arrived Santiago, Chile 9:10 AM, left Santiago October 19, 2:20 PM, arrived Punta Arenas 7 PM
• October 19, Hotel Cabo de Hornos, Punta Arenas, Chile
• October 20, drove to Puerto Natales, Torres del Paine National Park, hiked to Hosteria Lago Grey
• October 21, ferry across Lago de Grey, hiked to Lago Pehoe, Refugio Paine Grande dormatory
• October 22, hiked the French Valley to Cabanas en los Cuernos
• October 23, hiked Paso Los Cuernos trail along Lago Nordenskjold to Hotel Las Torres
• October 24, hiked to Torres del Paine and back, Hotel Las Torres
• October 25, drove to Argentina, Laguna Nimez Reserve then to El Calafate, El Quijote Hotel
• October 26, Perito Moreno Glacier, Los Glaciares National Park, Santa Cruz Provence, Argentina, El Quijote Hotel
• October 27, Le Leona Petrified Forest then Lago Viedma to El Chalten, Cabanas Fitz Roy
• October 28, hiked to Mt. Fitz Roy, Los Glaciares National Park
• October 29, hiked to Laguna de los Tres, Los Glaciares National Park
• October 30, hiked to Cerro Torre, Los Glaciares National Park
• October 31, drove to El Calafate, flew to Buenos Aires, Loi Suites Recoleta
• November 1, left Buenos Aires at 8:30 PM arrived Atlanta 5:49 AM on November 2, left Atlanta 8:44 AM, arrived MSP 10:22 AM, left MSP 11:15 AM, arrived Bismarck 12:39 PM

2014

Belize

• April 4, left Bismarck, overnight at Houston Airport motel
• April 5, arrived Belize City to Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary
• April 6, Lamanai ruins
• April 7, Crooked Tree to Half Moon Caye
• April 8, Half Moon Caye
• April 9, Half Moon Caye
• April 10, Half Moon Caye to the Great Blue Hole
• Apirl 11, Half Moon Caye to Sibun River Valley, Sleeping Giant Lodge
• April 12, Actun Tunichil Maknal, cave system in Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve
• April 13, Sibun River Valley
• April 14, Tikal National Park, Guatemala to Belize City
• April 15, Belize Zoo, left 4 PM Belize City to Houston to Denver, overnight Denver
• April 16, return to Bismarck

Antarctica

• November 11, left Bismarck 6:30 AM to MSP to Atlanta to Buenos Aires, arrived November 12 7:55 AM
• November 12, birding Buenos Aires Ciudad Universitaria, Palermo Parks, Reserva Vicente Lopez, Holiday Inn Buenos Aires Ezeiza Airport
• November 13, left Buenos Aires 9:50 AM arrived Ushuaia 1:25 PM, Hotel Los Nires
• November 14, Harberton Estancia and Martillo Tour
• November 15, Tierra del Fuego National Park in morning, embarked on Ocean Diamond at 4 PM
• November 16, at sea
• November 17, Falkland Islands, Carcass Island, Saunders Island
• November 18, Stanley, Falkland Islands
• November 19, at sea
• November 20, at sea, Shag Rocks South Atlantic Ocean
• November 21, South Georgia, Fortuna Bay
• November 22, Grytviken, Ernest Shackleton's Grave, Stromness Bay, South Georgia
• November 23, Gold Harbor, Cooper Bay, Drygalski Fjord, South Georgia
• November 24, at sea
• November 25, at sea
• November 26, at sea
• November 27, Half Moon Island, Deception Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica
• November 28, Onne Harbor, Arctowski Peninsula, Enterprise Island, Gerlache Strait, Antarctica
• November 29, Neko Harbor, Paradise Harbor, Antarctica
• November 30, Petermann Island, Pleneau Bay, Antarctica
• December 1, Drake Passage
• December 2, Drake Passage
• December 3, Disembarkation in Ushuaia, Argentina, left 2:45 PM, arrived Buenos Aires 6:13 PM, left 9:10 PM arrived Atlanta 5:32 AM
• December 4, left Atlanta 8:30 AM arrived MSP 10:12 AM, left 11:15 AM, arrived Bismarck 12:42 PM

2015

Costa Rica

• March 21, arrived St. Jose, Costa Rica
• March 22, Xandari Resort
• March 23, Tortuguero National Park, Tortuga Lodge and Gardens
• March 24, Tortuguero National Park
• March 25, Pacuare River, Rios Tropicales Lodge
• March 26, Pacuare River, Rios Tropicales Lodge
• March 27, Pacuare River, Trogon Lodge
• March 28, San Gerardo de Dota
• March 29, Orosi Valley and Cartago, Basilica de Los Angeles, Xandaria Resort
• March 30, left San Jose at 7 AM

Florida

• April 15, left Bismarck 5 AM to MSP to Jacksonville arrived 3:16 PM, drove to Vero Beach, Holiday Inn Express Vero Beach-west
• April 16, Blue Cypress Lake
• April 17, Blue Cypress Lake
• April 18, Blue Cypress Lake
• April 19, Lake Merrill National Wildlife Refuge, Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands
• April 20, Lake Merrill National Wildlife Refuge, Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands
• April 21, Lake Merrill National Wildlife Refuge, Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands
• April 22, St. Augustine
• April 23, St. Augustine
• April 24, St. Augustine
• April 25, St. Augustine
• April 26, St. Augustine, drove to Jacksonville, left 3:50 PM to MSP to Bismarck 8:42 PM

Alaska

• July 22, left  Bismarck 5:00 AM to MSP to Anchorage, arrived 11:48 AM, drove to Seward, Harborview Inn
• July 23, Kenai Fjords National Park tour with Fox Island, drove to Anchorage, Courtyard Anchorage Airport Inn
• July 24, flew from Anchorage to King Salmon to Brooks Lodge, Katmai National Park
• July 25, Katmai National Park
• July 26, Katmai National Park
• July 27, left Katmai National Park, 2 PM to King Salmon to Anchorage, stayed Courtyard Anchorage Airport
• July 28, left Anchorage at 12:38 PM to MSP, arrived Bismarck at 11:25 PM

Ecuador

• Arrived Quito, November 12, 2015 11 PM, 9200 feet elevation
• November 14 Tandayapa Bird Lodge, Tandayapa Valley
• November 15, Tandayapa Valley
• November 16, Milpe, Mindo Cloudforest Foundation
• November 17, Rancho Suamox, Choco region
• November 18, Paz de las Aves
• November 19, Guango Lodge
• November 20, Palallacta
• November 21, Antisana to Quito
• November 22, left Quito at midnight

2016

South Texas

• February 1, left Bismarck 6:20 AM to MSP to Harlingen, arrive 2:45 PM Harlingen Holiday Express
• February 2, Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, South Padre Island then to Edinburg Best Western
• February 3, Laguna Seca Ranch
• February 4, Estero Llana Grance State Park, Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge
• February 5, drove to Rockport, Hampton Inn Rockport-Fulton
• February 6, Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
• February 7, Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, drove to Harlingen
• February 8, left Harlingen 3:20 PM to MSP to Bismarck, arrived 9:13 PM

Denali National Park

• August 9, left  Bismarck 4:20 AM to MSP to Seattle to Fairbanks, arrived 2:01 PM, drove to Denali, Teklanika Campground
• August 10, Denali National Park, Teklanika Campground
• August 11, Denali National Park, Teklanika Campground 
• August 12, Denali National Park, Teklanika Campground
• August 13, Denali National Park, Teklanika Campground
• August 14, Denali National Park, Teklanika Campground
• August 15, left Denali National Park, left Fairbanks 9:30 PM to MSP, arrived Bismarck on August 16 at 10:40 AM

2017

Chengdu, China Pandas

• February 25, left Bismarck at 6:15 AM, to Denver to San Francisco to Chengdu, Sichuan, China, arriving February 26 at 7:55 PM, Crowne Plaza, Chengdu Panda Garden
• February 27, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
• February 28, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding then drove to Dujiangyan, Sichuan, China
• March 1, drove to Bifengxia Base of China Conservation and Research Center of Giant Panda in Ya'an City
• March 2, Dujiangyan Panda Base of China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Panda in Mt. Qingcheng Town, drove to Chengdu Airport Hotel
• March 3, left Chengdu at 10:55 AM to San Francisco to Denver to Bismarck, arrive at 4:57 PM
• Accompanied staff from the National Zoo in Washington DC- David E. Wildt, Director of the Smithsonian's Conservation Biology Institute’s Center for Species Survival; Donald L. Neiffer, V.M.D., C.V.A., D.A.C.Z.M., M.H.S.; chief veterinarian at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Dr. Marc Valitutto, wildlife veterinarian for the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute’s Global Health Program and the Asia field veterinary manager; and staff from San Diego Zoo- Bruce Rideout DVM and PhD, Director of Disease Investigations San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park; Stacey Johnson Corporate Director of Conservation & Research at San Diego Zoo Global

2018

Denali National Park

• August 28, left  Bismarck 12:30 PM to MSP to Fairbanks, arrived 8:30 PM, Best Western Plus Pioneer Park Inn
• August 29, photographed Sandhill Cranes, Creamer Field, drove to Denali, Teklanika Campground
• August 30, Denali National Park, Teklanika Campground
• August 31, Denali National Park, Teklanika Campground 
• September 1, Denali National Park, Teklanika Campground
• September 2, Denali National Park, Teklanika Campground
• September 3, left Denali National Park
• September 4, left Fairbanks at 1:15 AM to Seattle 5:51 AM, left Seattle 6:45 AM to MSP 12:11 PM, left MSP 3:10 PM arrived Bismarck at 4:43 PM

2019

India Wildlife Photography March 25- April 7, 2019

• March 6, left Bismarck 1:17 PM to MSP 2:45 PM, left MSP 3:55 PM to Paris-De Gaulle arrive 7:10 AM, left Charles de Gaulle 10:20 AM to Delhi, was to arrive March 7 at 11:15 PM but arrived early morning on March 8 because had to avoid Pakistan air space
• March 8, Delhi, Pride Plaza
• March 9, Delhi to Chambal, Chambal Safari Lodge
• March 10, Chambal to Bharatpur, The Birders Inn
• March 11, Bharatpur, The Birders Inn
• March 12, Bharatpur, The Birders Inn
• March 13, Bharatpur to Agra, overnight train to Katni
• March 14, arrived Katni, drove to Bandhavgarh National Park, Bandhavgarh Jungle Lodge
• March 15, Bandhavgarh National Park, Bandhavgarh Jungle Lodge
• March 16, Bandhavgarh National Park, Bandhavgarh Jungle Lodge
• March 17, Bandhavgarh National Park, Bandhavgarh Jungle Lodge
• March 18, Bandhavgarh National Park, Bandhavgarh Jungle Lodge
• March 19, Bandhavgarh National Park, Bandhavgarh Jungle Lodge
• March 20, Bandhavgarh National Park to Jabalpur, fly to Delhi, Pride Plaza
• March 21, Fly Delhi to Guwahati, drive to Kaziranga, Infinity Lodge
• March 22, Kaziranga National Park, Infinity Lodge
• March 23, Kaziranga National Park, Infinity Lodge
• March 24, Kaziranga National Park to Guwahati, fly to Delhi
• March 25, left Delhi at 2:55 AM, arrived Amsterdam 7:40 AM, left 10:40 AM, arrived MSP 1:50 PM, left 3:15 PM, arrived Bismarck 4:46 PM

Yellowstone Forever Institute- May 27-31, 2019 Spring Wildlife Photography

Pantanal, Brazil

• August 31, left Bismarck 1:31 PM, arrived Chicago 3:45 PM, left Chicago 5:50 PM, arrived Dulles, 8:49 PM, delayed leaving Dulles to Sao Paulo, Brazil and missed flight to Cuiaba, rescheduled and left Sao Paulo 4:50 PM, arrived Cuiaba 6:10 PM September 1,Deville Prime Cuiaba
• September 2 Deville Prime Cuiaba
• September 3, drove to Pousada Piuval 2 hours south of Cuiaba and the northern edge of the Pantanal
• September 4, Pousada Piuval
• September 5, Pousada Piuval south on Transpantaneira to Pouso Alegre, 5 km hike in 116 degrees F
• September 6, Pouso Alegre south on Transpantaneira to Pixaim River area, Hotel Pantanal Mato Grosso
• September 7, Pixaim River, Hotel Pantanal Mato Grosso
• September 8, Hotel Pantanal Mato Grosso south on Transpantaneira to Porto Jofre, Hotel Pantanal Norte Porto Jofre
• September 9, Cuiaba River, Hotel Pantanal Norte Porto Jofre
• September 10, Cuiaba River
• September 11, Hotel Pantanal Norte Porto Jofre north on Transpantaneira to north of the Chapda dos Guimaraes, Pousada da Villa 
• September 12, left Cuiaba 2:45 PM, arrived Sao Paulo, 6:15 PM, left Sao Paulo at 10:20 PM, arrived Chicago at 6:55 AM, left Chicago at 10:30 AM, arrived Bismarck 1 PM

December 6-8, 2019 Pride of Dakota Bismarck Showcase, Bismarck Event Center

2020

• no travel outside of North Dakota

2021

Hudson Bay, Manitoba, Canada

• November 14, drove from Bismarck to Winnipeg ahead of major winter storm
• November 15-16 hotel in Winnipeg
• November 17, flew from Winnipeg to Churchill on commercial airplane then by small charter plane to Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge on the southern Kaska Coast of Hudson Bay, evening walk 4 yards away from 150 pound gray wolf
• November 18, Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge
• November 19, Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge
• November 20, Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge
• November 21, Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge
• November 22, Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge
• November 23, Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge stranded due to blizzard
• November 24, Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge stranded due to blizzard
• November 25, flew to Churchill, then to Winnipeg and then drove to Fargo, ND
• November 26, drove Fargo to Bismarck

2022 (My favorite year for photography)

Wapusk National Park, Manitoba, Canada

• February 20, drove from Bismarck to Winnipeg
• February 21-22 hotels in Winnipeg
• February 23, flew to Churchill, evening in hotel
• February 24, evening train to Wapusk National Park then snowcoach to
• Wat’chee Lodge, Wapusk National Park
• February 25, Wat’chee Lodge, Wapusk National Park
• February 26, Wat’chee Lodge, Wapusk National Park, triplets in ground blizzard
• February 27, Wat’chee Lodge, Wapusk National Park, 6.5 hours in minus 40 wind chill with polar bear mom and triplets
• February 28, Wat’chee Lodge, Wapusk National Park, poor view of triplets
• March 1, Wat’chee Lodge, Wapusk National Park, Northern Lights
• March 2, Wat’chee Lodge, Wapusk National Park, polar bear mom with twins and snow den
• March 3, train to Churchill, flight to Winnipeg
• March 4, drove Winnipeg to Bismarck

Baffin Island, Nunavut, Canada

• April 3, drove to Winnipeg, evening flight to Ottawa, Canada
• April 4, hotel in Ottawa
• April 5, flew from Ottawa International Airport for Iqaluit, hotel in Iqaluit
• April 6, flew from Iqaluit to Qikiqtarjuaq, snow sled to ice camp on frozen Arctic Ocean
• April 7, ice camp on frozen Arctic Ocean
• April 8, ice camp on frozen Arctic Ocean
• April 9, ice camp on frozen Arctic Ocean
• April 10, ice camp on frozen Arctic Ocean
• April 11, ice camp on frozen Arctic Ocean
• April 12, ice camp on frozen Arctic Ocean
• April 13, returned to Qikiqtarjuaq and flew to Iqaluit airport and then to Ottawa
• April 14, flew from Ottawa to Winnipeg then drove to Fargo
• April 15, drove from Fargo to Bismarck

Tanzania

• October 14, flew from Bismarck to Minneapolis then to Amsterdam
• October 15, flew from Amsterdam to Kilimanjaro International Airport, lodging Kili Villa, Arusha
• October 16, Kili Villa Arusha
• October 17, Arusha National Park
• October 18, drove to Tarangire National Park, Honeyguide Tented Camp
• October 19, Tarangire National Park, Honeyguide Tented Camp
• October 20, morning in Tarangire National Park then drove to Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lions Paw Camp
• October 21, Ngoronjoro Conservation Area, Lions Paw Camp
• October 22, morning in Ngoronjoro Conservation Area then drove to Serengeti National Park, Sametu Camp - East Serengeti
• October 23, Sametu Camp - East Serengeti
• October 24, Sametu Camp - East Serengeti
• October 25, drove to Northwest Serengeti, River Camp - Northwest Serengeti and Mara River
• October 26, River Camp - Northwest Serengeti and Mara River
• October 27, River Camp - Northwest Serengeti and Mara River
• October 28, flew Arusha, Kilimanjaro International Airport

Uganda

• October 29, flew from Kilimanjaro International Airport to Rwanda to Entebbe, Uganda, Boma Guest House
  
• October 30, flew to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest - Gorilla Safari Lodge
• October 31, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest - Gorilla Safari Lodge, 9.5 hour hiking
• November 1, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest - Gorilla Safari Lodge
• November 2, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest - Gorilla Safari Lodge
• November 3, flew to Entebbe then Boma Guest House for day room, evening flight to Amsterdam
• November 4, flew from Amsterdam to Atlanta for Ebola screening then to Minneapolis
• November 5, arrived after midnight in Bismarck, North Dakota

Icebergs in Frozen Baffin Bay

Nunavut, Canada

April 12, 2022

Camp on Frozen Baffin Bay, Arctic Ocean

Nunavut, Canada

April 12, 2022

Camp on Frozen Baffin Bay

Nunavut, Canada

April 12, 2022

Where is the rest of the photographer?

Safely in a safari vehicle! The winds were very strong in the Serengeti on October 24, 2022 when a gust of wind took my hat and off it went. As luck would have it, a pride of lions appeared and this one decided to take my hat for a walk! The lioness then lost interest and the hat was later recovered is now retired as is the photographer. Several reasons to be very thankful!!

Lion

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

October 24, 2022

701 on Film puts Dr. Stephen McDonough’s photography in focus

https://www.kxnet.com/studio701/701-on-film/701-on-film-puts-dr-stephen-mcdonoughs-photography-in-focus/

Locations and Dates Traveled

A well-traveled North Dakota-based photographer recently learned about a longtime local effort to cultivate the habitat of one his favorite bird species, leading him to spend more time in Makoshika State Park to capture their splendor.

“I became entranced with mountain bluebirds over 10 years ago,” Steven McDonough, a photographer out of Bismarck, N.D., said in an interview on Monday.

For as long as McDonough can recall, he has always had a love for animals and the outdoors. Between pets and hobbies, he never passed up opportunities to enjoy nature when he was not working his day-to-day job as a pediatrician, including volunteering as a Boy Scouts leader for 15 years.

“I got to be really comfortable going out and doing remote camping,” McDonough said.

Photography has also been part of his life for decades, but he started to develop his skills in nature photography about 20 years ago when he had more time to do so after his kids were out of the house.

While McDonough enjoys photography and reviewing the photos he takes, he maintains the skill and produces photos for the purpose of helping children — specifically third graders — learn.

Every year for the last decade, he is invited into third grade classrooms to teach students about different animals and their habitats, as he has traveled the world and photographed countless animal species such as penguins, different birds, bears, elephant seals, owls and many more.

“Children, in particular at that age, have a great love of animals,” McDonough said.

Similarly, McDonough maintains a free website known as Dakota Reflections to share through photographs his love for animals and nature with the general public. The website garners about 200 site visits per day from all over the world.

“It’s basically there to share my love of animals with hopefully some cool photographs for people to know what’s kind of in this area,” he said.

As McDonough’s love for mountain bluebirds in particular grew, he started to question what it was about the species that captivated him most. That ultimately resulted in a seven-point list answering the question.

Aside from the simple fact that the mountain bluebirds are blue in color, he appreciates they show themselves to people more often than other unique birds.

“A lot of birds, they fly into the pine or the trees and the leaves and they disappear,” McDonough said. “(Mountain bluebirds) are more visible.”

Photographing mountain bluebirds got a bit easier for McDonough this year after he discovered a longtime effort in Makoshika State Park to foster the species’ habitat with 85 bird boxes. Otherwise, he noted, the mountain bluebird nests in cavities of the badlands, making it difficult to spot.

“It’s much easier for me to photograph the mountain bluebirds there, whereas in North Dakota I will spend hours and hours driving around to get a few photos of them,” McDonough said. “In North Dakota, I’m not aware of anyone doing the excellent work they are doing in Makoshika.”

The mountain bluebird boxes in Makoshika State Park are currently — and have been for about 15 years — maintained by Glendive resident Lew Melby, who McDonough had the opportunity to meet and work with recently.

“He’s a very impressive man,” McDonough said. “He’s done an outstanding job of increasing the number of mountain bluebirds and they help control the insect population.”

Other reasons McDonough enjoys watching and photographing mountain bluebirds are the similar lifestyle, attributes and relationships they share with humans.

“That’s really helpful when I go and talk at schools,” McDonough said.

He noted male and female mountain bluebirds are distinctly different with unique roles as they work equally hard to care for their young while nesting.

“They’re monogamous, they stay with each other, they feed their babies frequently, they defend the nest,” McDonough said. “They’re just devoted parents.”

“(Children) can relate to that because they know how hard their parents work to support them,” he added.

McDonough plans to return to Makoshika State Park in the coming weeks when the young mountain bluebirds begin to fledge and leave the nest, as he hopes to capture those moments along with instances of the father and mother bluebirds bringing food to their young.

More information about McDonough and his photos can be viewed atdakotareflections.com.

https://www.rangerreview.com/news/north-dakota-photographer-follows-the-bluebird-trail-to-makoshika-state-park/article_2cdf9b2d-1249-4e68-90ba-a8fdb44c0f83.html