A missed turn on a country road lead me to a quiet spot in rural, northern Oklahoma. (You might be wondering, “Geez, how long did it take her to figure that one out?”) It was dawn of the second morning I spent in Oklahoma at the Salt Plains NWR and the adjacent Great Salt Plains State Park. On the first day I learned the park layout and covered as much ground as I could. On the second day I knew exactly where I wanted to be at dawn.

I realized that I had missed my turn as the surroundings became unfamiliar. I turned around but there was not enough time to make it back to the spot I had in mind. I gave it up, because dawn was happening, whether I was ready or not.

I pulled to the side of the gravel road, parked, and watched a large flock of mostly Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) moving amongst the abundant roadside vegetation. Swaths of sunflowers five to six feet tall lined the roadway, with expansive, flat, agricultural fields stretching out behind them. The flock bobbed for seeds, perched on stems and flowerheads.

Thank goodness for this abundant food source – there were quite a few avian mouths to feed. I was not the least bit disappointed at missing my intended destination for those precious early morning hours. Dawn came and went, and I was a very happy birder. ;-D

If you have a garden with spent flowers that have gone to seed, please consider resisting the urge to tidy up. Those old flowers may not have the same appeal as when they were in their prime, but they will look pretty darn good to birds and other seed-eating wildlife this fall.