I was in Custer State Park admiring the early autumn colors when I arrived at a stand of birch trees just beginning to turn. A brilliant blue mountain bluebird male was perched on a wild mullein plant just off the road and in front of this stand of trees. The park puts up nesting boxes on the tall fence and corrals built for the Bison herd and the population of bluebirds in the area has been stabilized and perhaps even on the uptick. Which is great for birders and photographers alike.