Sunday, August 26, 2018

Lewis & Clark Recreation Area & Meridian Highway Bridge - Yankton, South Dakota


August 25 



We started at Lewis & Clark Recreation Area and walked the Gavins Point Nature Trail. It was an easy trail with a few gentle climbs. We heard a ton of birds, but only found a few. Lots of Blue Jays, Eastern Kingbirds, Eastern Wood-Pewees, Doves, Goldfinches and Chipping Sparrows.



 along the trail
 immature Blue Jay
 you lookin at me?
 Great Crested Flycatcher
 Eastern Kingbird

 Mourning Dove
House Finch - female
 thistle

 American Goldfinch - male
  American Goldfinch - female
 view of the lake from the trail
 Eastern Wood-Pewee





After finishing the trail, we went down to the Lake, but only saw a couple of Spotted Sandpipers and a few turtles. Very nice recreation area. We walked a bit along one of the roads and the park rangers were helping some young kids with their archery. We watched for a while, so cute. 

 fish cleaning station





 Spotted Sandpipers



 Chipping Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow with a tasty morsel



We went home and had lunch and took a break in the middle of the day before heading out to walk to Nebraska. I told you we were very close to the state line between South Dakota and Nebraska. The Meridian pedestrian bridge is over the Missouri River and the state line is pretty much in the middle of the river.



It’s a double deck bridge, with the top level having carried traffic into South Dakota from Nebraska, and the lower level having carried traffic into Nebraska from South Dakota. Originally, they had thought the lower lever could be used for trains, but that never came to be. When it was closed after the Discovery Bridge was finished the two states worked together to turn it into a pedestrian bridge. We walked the lower one first and came back on the upper. So, it’s possible to walk across the Missouri River from Yankton to rural Cedar County. 




 walking across the lower level
 Discovery Bridge from Meridian Bridge
 really huge Praying Mantis

 Red-headed Woodpecker



 
 people below enjoying their Saturday


 walking back on the upper level
 it's close to the historic downtown


 fish statue



  


Don't the plan for tomorrow yet, probably find a spot for birding.

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