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Dr. Del Tackett is the author, architect and teacher for Focus on the Family's The Truth Project, a nationwide initiative designed to bring the Christian worldview to the body of Christ.
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Bismarck Camp, Custer State Park, SD
Posted on July 16, 2009
Filed Under Personal |
We camped for several nights at Bismarck Campground in Custer State Park.
I am so impressed with South Dakota! It is beautiful!
Bismarck Camp is near the north arm of Stockade Lake. My early morning treks were to its shore and the forest around it.
It was here that I watched a blue heron fish.
At first, I thought she was about to fly away because of me. She was standing on a large rock overlooking the lake and she would start forward and then pull back…several times. I stood very still thinking I was making her nervous. But then she leaped forward, wings tucked back and dove 
straight into the water and emerged in a flash with a fish, perpendicular in her bill. It was, of course, flopping vigorously as fish do. She held it there for a few seconds, and then did a couple of tosses of her head, opened her mouth and the fish disappeared. However, I could see it in her throat, still flopping, and then down it went into her stomach, where it seemed it caused the whole body of the heron to wiggle as she shook for a few seconds. I don’t know whether it was from “Ahhhh! What a great breakfast!” or “Whoa! That tickles!” but then, amazingly, all of her feathers instantly stuck straight out, looking like she had been suddenly filled with static electricity.
My mouth dropped open at the sight. It was phenomenal! After a few more shivers and shakes, she smacked her lips (I really don’t know if herons have lips, but you get the picture) and settled into a post-breakfast-contented squat.
These kinds of creation encounters are the thrill of my life. To behold the creature of God in all its beauty and splendor and wonder, and to watch it perform as God designed it to perform…well this is a delight beyond delights for me.
Everything was so lush and green. The early morning reflections in the lake, Mrs. Duck with her seven little ducklings, the warning slap of a beaver’s tail, Mama Doe with her two fawns, the heron breakfast, the Aspen, the rock formations…oh, my!
All creation plainly reveals the glory of our God!
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” Romans 1:20
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11 Responses to “Bismarck Camp, Custer State Park, SD”
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Man the splendor of God’s creation is beyond awesome! Makes me want to go camping right now. Beautiful, simply beautiful!
You were at the right place at the right time!!! so cool! God is, indeed, great.
Amazing! But because we both must have been stomping around on the same ground and observing some of the same things. After the Tetons, Yellowstone, Devil’s Tower, Custer (with that same lake and the herons while kayaking), etc., my closest moment with the Creator was a 2 a.m. super cell storm while camping in the Badlands. What an experience!
Places like Bismarc Camp feel like a mothers hug. A child becomes enveloped in the strength and comfort of loving arms!!! Wonderful! Thanks.
Del,
I wish I knew you were SD. Although I live on the other side of the state… it is beautiful. I’m taking vacation all next week and we are going to the out to western South Dakota to enjoy the Black Hills as a family, thanks for getting me even more excited for vacation!
I am glad that you came to our humble state, I am proud of its beauty. I just finished the Truth Project with a small group of women here in Pierre, I want to turn around and go through it all again! I hope I can meet you someday. We are frequent campers to the Hills, we like to take horse rides at Blue Bell Lodge. You should try that, it is wonderful!! I hope you enjoy your time in SD.
Dr. Tackett–Love the truth project! Thank you so much for the very, very interesting walk through. I need to go through it again, as there was so much great information and “meat!” I have also loved your entries about Devil’s Tower and the Black Hills! I grew up in the Hills and it all carries a special place in my heart! Last I was there, I also was sitting in a cove in Pactola Lake and a Blue Heron swooped down…they are so magnificent! What a beautiful gift from God! When I take the time to look around at the absolute beauty that He created for us…I stand in awe! Thanks for your entries! They trigger many, many beautiful memories of the Black Hills!
I love SD-moved away and would love to move back some day! it is beautiful and people don’t get it until they go there!
I want to go on a nature walk with you. You would make me see things I bet I would normally miss. I am afraid I would be looking to see that I don’t step on a snake or something. Thank you for the pictures. I need this kind of reminder of the glory of God being all around us.
Dr. Tackett,
Your photos are absolutely beautiful, thank
you for sharing your vacation with everyone.
It has been a real pleasure being a volunteer
at Focus on the Family and look forward to
many years of being a volunteer to come.
Spectacular photos, the lake shot with the reflection of the other side and clouds is fantastic.