Veery has temporarily moved! The Birdfreak Team is partially split for the summer as Veery spends a few months working in Jefferson City, Missouri. Join in on her adventures through a new state and her quest to answer this question: How’s the birding in mid-Missouri?
My sister (Susie a.k.a. Snowy Owl) and her two daughters brought my son Dakota down to Missouri for a loaded weekend of birding fun. The weather was great much of the time and we learned a bit of Missouri history.
The Village of Arrow Rock, Missouri is a National Historical Landmark. It is an actual town that will take you back in time to the 19th Century. There are old shops, houses and even a restaurant “untouched by time”.
19th Century House – Photo by Dakota
Although we did not see a lot of birds on this trip, we discovered a common species of lizard called the Five-lined Skink (Eumeces fasciatus). All five of us Northern Illinois inhabitants couldn’t have been more excited to see a lizard!
Five-lined Skink – Photo by Dakota
Arrow Rock was a rich historic and natural experience.
Check out the Birdfreak Missouri State List
Veery, Arrow Rock sounds a lot like Pioneer Village in Minden, NE where there are a whole lot of restored buildings from old pioneer days of the west. I like visiting those kinds of places; lots of history there. I’ll have to keep Arrow Rock in mind to visit if I should ever travel through Missouri in the future. Thanks for sharing.
I love the little trip you took us all on, with your description and pictures. Do you think the lizards are on the trees, because they are warm, or that they live in the tree? I am like you, I have not seen too many, so to see a glimpse would be something. I know that the older buildings often have a large wildlife population of rodents, and bugs, but maybe birds and lizards too!
Not sure if the lizards live in the trees but it makes sense that they would be warmer or offer some protection from predators or even just easy food sources!