March 13, 2015
Caleb had a great morning with the camera. The advantage of home schooling on the ranch is the real life classroom. This eagle was right in the backyard.

A couple more great shots taken by Caleb (age 12) this morning. He was smiling pretty big when he came in. This eagle was quite impressive.

March 16, 2015
We have also noticed that the grouse are starting to spread out as warmer weather sets in. Our main species on the Lonetree Ranch is sharptail grouse. South Dakota is also home to the sage grouse, ruffed grouse and the prairie chicken. These hardy birds are quite "tasty" as well. Danny and Caleb prepared Grilled Grouse Pizza for the Wild Game Feed at Rainbow Bible Ranch the other nite

April 10, 2015
Our garden just north of the house...ready to plant... and look who is checking it out.

May 12, 2017
The killdeer is one of our favorite birds...We have been watching this nest for a couple of weeks and today the Killdeer parents made certain that we stay as far from the little family as possible. Eggs will incubate in 24 - 26 days and the male and female share the chore of setting on the eggs. They also work well together in defending the nest by distracting. Baby killdeers can be "up and running" as soon as their "downy feathers" are dry. Another of God's fascinating creatures

NOVEMBER 15, 2020
The Tundra Swans were again visiting the Lonetree Ranch. They had spent the night on Reinhold Lake.

I really enjoy the company when I am riding the fenceline across the prairies and the Lark Buntings fly along to keep me company. They fly just ahead of you and land, let you catch up and take off again... and land again... The Mourning Dove gets in the picture once in awhile, as well. Anyone else been horseback and enjoyed this scene?

We like our curlews (Numenius americanus) Numerous long billed curlews spend their summers on the Lonetree Ranch in Meade County, South Dakota. They use their long bill to catch insects and also wolf spiders. It is always a privilege to find their nests and then the whole curlew community shows up to protect their own. They dive and scold until the intruders leave. The native range has been diminished but they still exist on native grasslands and in the sage country especially if there is some shallow water nearby. Many of the kids that ride at Rainbow Bible Ranch have opportunity to see these unique birds.

April 12, 2018
This is whoooooo we found in the breezeway this morning at Rainbow Bible Ranch. How he got in.... Whoooooo knows? This is a barn owl... a beautiful creature, indeed. Whooooo agrees with me? FYI... he is safe and fine.

April 15, 2018
The beautiful sights and sounds of the Sandhill Crane against a blue Dakota Sky.
Photo by Robin Reinhold

April 12, 2019
"Go to South Dakota," they said.
"You will like it," they said.
"Plenty of room to perch," they said.
"It will be fun," they said.

May 16, 2020 An "Upland Sandpiper". These are entertaining birds to observe. When we were kids, we would call them "Roadrunners"... You know the one that Wiley Coyote tried to kill with ACME dynamite.
Photo by Rachel Reinhold

April 15, 2020
Well Kiersten had the camera out today capturing pics of some of the birds at her birdfeeder. A dark eyed junco and a blackbird

April 7, 2021
Well the Cowboy in me wants to say a herd of...
The farmer in me wants to say a flock of ...
Just being Larry, I want to say a bunch of...
Or maybe even a pile of...
But, to be correct, I would say a brief of...
Or I would say a pod of...
Or I would say a pouch of...
Or even a scoop of...
And to cover the bases, I would refer to squadron of...
Yes there was a pelican on Reinhold Lake today and joining him were about twenty more. Yes...Pelicans.
Notice the size by comparing them to the ducks along the shore.

December 19, 2021
"Well... owl be."
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Rachel enjoys watching and photographing birds, especially Owls... not your average backyard bird feeder visitor. I am quite sure this is a young Great horned owl which is our most common owl on the ranch along with the Burrowing owls we have most generally in prairie dog towns. We have an occasional barn owl, screech owl and once in a great while snowy owls. Owls are quite a fascinating study as you watch them and they watch you.

April 14, 2022
Look who was testing the water in The Ol' Swimming Hole at RBR.
Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata)

Photo by Robin Lee Reinhold

May 8, 2022
Wilson's Phalarope on the East Range Dam
Photo By Robin Reinhold

July 3, 2022
“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isa. 40:31).
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We had our own airshow over the ranch today. Robin was able to capture this shot of a Bald Eagle today. There have been a number of eagles around the Lonetree Ranch as of late... Both Bald Eagles and Golden Eagles.
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The Scripture above is special to our family in numerous ways. For instance... This was the text that my brother Lyle preached at our home church in Rapid City the day before my brothers, Lyle and Lee and our friend, Wayne, passed over into Glory. We were reminded daily in the year(s) to come of the truths expressed in this verse.