Rock Wren Photos

Photography by Terry Sohl

My Favorite: A species I don't get a chance to see that often, as they're normally at least a couple hundred miles west of where I live on the far eastern edge of South Dakota. The only photos I had of the species up until the fall of 2019 was of a bird in Badlands National Park in 2010. However, in October of 2019, another birder reported a very lost Rock Wren was sighted at Good Earth State Park, right on the South Dakota/Iowa border. The next morning not only was I able to find the bird, but it was one of the tamest, most cooperative birds I've photographed! My favorite photo is a bit unusual. I love the early morning light, the plumage detail, the profile look and the eye, and OH I love that reflection. It's not often you get such a clear reflection of a wild bird, unless it's a calm day and it's a water bird. This is actually a stone counter top that's next to the building behind the Good Earth State Park visitor center! The wren flew up to the counter and hung out there for a while after dawn, soaking up the early morning rays.

Rock Wren - Salpinctes obsoletus


Rock Wren 1 July 5th, 2010 Badlands National Park, South Dakota	Rock Wren 2 July 5th, 2010 Badlands National Park, South Dakota	Rock Wren 3 July 5th, 2010 Badlands National Park, South Dakota	Rock Wren 4 July 5th, 2010 Badlands National Park, South Dakota

Rock Wren 5 July 5th, 2010 Badlands National Park, South Dakota	Rock Wren 6 October 14th, 2019 Good Earth State Park, South Dakota	Rock Wren 7 October 14th, 2019 Good Earth State Park, South Dakota	Rock Wren 8 October 14th, 2019 Good Earth State Park, South Dakota

Rock Wren 9 October 14th, 2019 Good Earth State Park, South Dakota	Rock Wren 10 October 14th, 2019 Good Earth State Park, South Dakota	Rock Wren 11 October 14th, 2019 Good Earth State Park, South Dakota	Rock Wren 12 October 14th, 2019 Good Earth State Park, South Dakota

Rock Wren 13 October 14th, 2019 Good Earth State Park, South Dakota