When I was visiting Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota last week, I did most of my wildlife photography while inside of my car. Surprisingly that included bird photography. In order to spot birds, I had to drive slowly, often at about 10 mph (16 kph), and listen very attentively. Fortunately, there were not many other people around in the early morning, so I was able to move about at my own pace.
The Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)in the first photo, did not make a sound, but was big enough for me to spot visually. I have photographed Wild Turkeys numerous times, always in a forested environments. I was therefore astonished to see on in a desert-like area of the park.
The bird in the second photos is a Lazuli Bunting (Passerina amoena), I believe. I spotted them several times, but most of the time they were out of range or were blocked by branches. I was fortunate to capture this one as it was singing.
The bird in the final photo was initially a bit of mystery for identification purposes. However, the speckled wings, dark body, and bright red eyes led me to conclude that it is probably a Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus).
The birds in the last two photos are western birds that are not found in my home state of Virginia, so I am only semi-confident about my identifications. Please let me know if I have made a mistake in my efforts to figure out the species to which they belong.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Great fun to be with you and the birds in ND, Michael. How fortunate you captured a lazuli bunting, and singing, too. Your identification skills are excellent, I concur on all three species.
Thanks, Jet. I was very much hoping that you would weigh in on the identification. My primary purpose of this trip was to be present as my son as he takes over command of an Army company today. It’s a pretty big deal in his Army career. It’s been a nice bonus that I have had a chance to photograph some wild life along the way.