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Flight Lines

A rare barn owl--likely a female--roosts alone in an ash tree along the edge of Petersburg, N.D., last weekend, waiting for nightfall to feed. Keith Corliss/The Pioneer

Flight Lines: Night stalker among the natural beauties

It began with a fellow named Joe who wondered, along with some of his neighbors in Petersburg, N. D., whether the owls they were seeing every night in town were...

flight lines / outdoors Wed, Sep 01, 2010 - 12:00am

Out-of-state birders line up along a South Dakota trail for a glimpse at perhaps the most talked about bird in America this year, the orange-billed nightingale-thrush. Keith Corliss/The Pioneer

Flight Lines: In pursuit of passion, the chase isn't always easy

If Macklin Smith made the pilgrimage to the Black Hills of South Dakota you know it's something special. Really special. Mr. Smith, for those unaware, teaches poetry at the U...

flight lines / outdoors Wed, Aug 18, 2010 - 12:00am

Tree swallows are common nesting birds over much of North America, and will readily use artificial nest boxes. Keith Corliss/The Pioneer

Flight Lines: Tree swallows are a nice second choice

Matt is a friend who lives on a nearby rural farmstead. He's not a farmer, mind you, but he and his wife prefer the quieter atmosphere of country living. It...

flight lines / outdoors Wed, Aug 04, 2010 - 12:00am

A female vermillion flycatcher takes flight on wings which produce both thrust and lift. Keith Corliss

Flight Lines: By nature or man, a wing must produce lift

You'd think by now this whole flying thing would be figured out. It's not. Credit to the first great thinkers to ponder the possibility of manned flight goes to the...

flight lines / outdoors Wed, Jul 21, 2010 - 12:00am

Purple martins are one of many bird species that thrive in mankin's presence. Keith Corliss/The Pioneer

Flight Lines: Mankind an important part of global system

The explosion and subsequent leaking of the deep-water oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico is a tragedy on every level, beginning with the deaths of the workers on day...

flight lines / outdoors Wed, Jun 23, 2010 - 12:00am

Despite the rather strange spring migration, trusty species such as this Tennessee warbler were easily found. Keith Corliss

Mystery of bird migration part of the charm

There is much yet to know about bird migration. Oh sure, we've come a long way since the days of faulty beliefs such as swallows hibernating underground or hummingbirds riding...

flight lines / outdoors Wed, Jun 09, 2010 - 9:28am

Leaving the nest is a major accomplishment. But life for this young American robin will not be easy. Keith Corliss/The Pioneer

Flight Lines: Real nature often harsh, not always happily-ever-after

Early one morning last week I walked up the steps of a neighbor's house. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed movement. A moment later there was an...

flight lines / outdoors Wed, May 26, 2010 - 12:00am

Recent evidence of beaver activity is visible in West Fargo's Elmwood Park. Keith Corliss/The Pioneer

One animal credited with opening the West

As a species, humans are far-and-away the most capable organisms with reference to the ability to modify the environment. After us, the impact of other organisms falls off pretty fast...

flight lines / outdoors Wed, May 12, 2010 - 12:00am

A male greater prairie chicken performs at the Bluestem Prairie in an attempt to attract females. Keith Corliss/The Pioneer

Flight Lines: Wildlife spectacle of prairie chickens just a quick phone call away

Right off the top of my head, I can think of five avian species that have become extinct north of Mexico since Europeans first stepped ashore in the New World...

flight lines / outdoors Wed, Apr 28, 2010 - 9:34am

Depicted is a bird perched in a tree under conditions similar to looking into a sunset. Is it a blue jay? For the reveal see page 16. Photo illustration by Carrie Snyder/The Pioneer

Flight Lines: Careful observation only way to limit identification mistakes

Several years ago, I was made aware of just how bound some photographers are to certain light conditions. Early on that day, a friend and I were wending through some...

flight lines / outdoors Wed, Apr 14, 2010 - 12:00am

The greater white-fronted goose is notable for its pinkish-orange bill and legs, white face and scattered black belly barring.

Flight Lines: Waterfowl migration hard to miss throughout the region

It started about 10 days ago with a phone call from a friend who found himself just south of West Fargo. In a rather excited tone he related how he...

flight lines / outdoors Wed, Mar 31, 2010 - 12:00am

A black-capped chickadee selects a freeze-dried mealworm from a bird feeder. Keith Corliss/The Pioneer

Flight Lines: Mealworms add dimension when feeding birds

I'll likely never see bluebirds in my yard. The best I can hope for is a lucky fleeting glimpse of a flyover during migration, but the birds will not stop...

flight lines / outdoors Wed, Mar 17, 2010 - 12:00am

Common redpolls, so very common last winter, are few and far between this year. Keith Corliss/The Pioneer

Flight Lines: Birdlife noticeably absent this winter

Take a look around the state at recent bird reports and a person can't help but arrive at a somewhat ho-hum conclusion: There really isn't much out there. Oh sure...

flight lines / outdoors Wed, Mar 03, 2010 - 12:00am

Perching on a Sheyenne National Grasslands boundary marker is one of the sought-after prairie bird species, a dickcissel. Keith Corliss/The Pioneer

Sheyenne National Grasslands: An interview with the guy in charge

One of the least appreciated and perhaps underutilized destinations in our area is the Sheyenne National Grasslands. I consider it a large public playground with limitless possibilities for the outdoor...

flight lines / outdoors Wed, Feb 17, 2010 - 12:00am

Just the second time I'd seen the species in the county, this red knot was one of many shorebird species present during the extremely high water of spring, 2009. Keith Corliss/The Pioneer

Flight lines: Falling short of county bird challenge

It had been accomplished twice in the past, once in 2005 in Burleigh County, and again in 2007 in McHenry County. But no one that we know of had done...

flight lines / outdoors Wed, Feb 03, 2010 - 12:00am

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