The campground's riparian habitat hosted a good variety of spring migrants. Bullock's Orioles, Western Tanagers, and Black-headed Grosbeak sang from the willows. Small warbler flocks gleaned on the leaves and a pair of Yellow-breasted Chats squawked and chattered from the dense brush. At the river, Caspaian Terns hunted over the water, a single Western Grebe called for a mate, and a large raft of Greater Scaup drifted. Rock Wrens constantly chattered from the surrounding basalt. And many families of Yellow-bellied Marmots basked in the sun on rocks.

Rocky Coulee Recreation Area was also only a 30 minute drive to the Whisky Dick unit. We hiked there after the storms had passed and soaked in the warmth and sunshine. The wildflowers were in full force. The late spring rains boosted plant growth and compressed blooms into a smaller window, which we seemed to hit perfectly. Fields of narrowleaf goldenweed, spreading phlox, thyme buckwheat, and lupine bloomed along side arrowleaf and Hooker's balsamroot. The Simpson's Hedgehog cactus was still blooming below the ridge and bitterroot began blooming in the desert cement. It was truly a spectacular showing of wildflowers. Birds were also active - Brewer's, Lark, and Sagebrush Sparrows were particularly randy. After a long wet spring, a weekend in the sun and sage was the perfect way to recharge the internal batteries.

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