Western Tanager Photos

Photography by Terry Sohl

My Favorite: Absolutely drop-dead gorgeous species, but alas, one that typically is only found in the far western part of South Dakota. Interestingly in back to back springs (2019 and 2020) I've seen one in eastern South Dakota, once at Perry Nature Area near Sioux Falls, and once at Union Grove State Park. Most of the time when you do see them, they seem to be up in the canopy and/or hidden by the foliage. My favorite encounter is thus the one below, from Roby Canyon on the far edge of South Dakota (as in, within a mile of Wyoming). A cooperative bird, down low in a pine tree, and he sat there for a good 20 minutes while I took photos.

Western Tanager - Piranga ludoviciana


Western Tanager 1 April 8th, 2007 Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming	Western Tanager 2 April 8th, 2007 Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming	Western Tanager 3 May 25th, 2008 Custer State Park, South Dakota	Western Tanager 4 July 13th, 2019 Roby Canyon, Black Hills, South Dakota

Western Tanager 5 July 13th, 2019 Roby Canyon, Black Hills, South Dakota	Western Tanager 6 July 13th, 2019 Roby Canyon, Black Hills, South Dakota	Western Tanager 7 July 13th, 2019 Roby Canyon, Black Hills, South Dakota