If this is winter’s last stand then it certainly is going out like a lamb. While it didn’t rival some of our classic spring blizzards and the long range forecast doesn’t look all that scary, I wouldn’t mind just one more mega storm for the season. But the below zero wind chills can go away anytime by me.
You don’t need high-end astronomy equipment or telescopes to take this kind of shot but you do need a really clear night away from any light pollution. This picture was shot at the end of December, 2014 north of Eagle River, Wisconsin with a 28mm lens.
I recently made an overnight trip to Sax-Zim Bog and encountered several birds that are not common visitors to our St. Paul area. I had hoped to see the Great Grey Owl that was frequenting an area close to the Admiral Road bird feeders but came up short. I also saw Boreal Chickadees and Northern Shrikes but given the distance at which I took the pictures, they didn’t turn out great. The Snowy owl would ordinarily be an exceptional sighting but this winter has witnessed an irruption of well over 250 sightings so far in Minnesota. Here is a link if you would like to view a map showing all the Snowy owl sightings since November, 2013 – https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=215779442560997336854.0004ee2b1fd714d205220&msa=0 . In order are the Northern Hawk Owl, Grey Jay, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Raven and Snowy Owl. As always, you can click on any image to see it in a larger version.
I’ve had the good fortune over the years to have been able to make at least a couple dozen trips to Isle Royale National Park. While I’ve heard the wolves on many occasions, I’ve never seen one there but I have seen many, many moose. Here are a few images from the upcoming gallery soon to be published on the website (with a fox thrown in for good measure)
I was able to squeeze in a quick getaway to northeastern Wisconsin and take in the last days of fall. While the temperature and wind made it feel more like early winter (complete with patches of snow scattered about), there were still vestiges of autumn color, especially in the tamarack bogs. These two images were taken just minutes apart from each other – do you prefer one composition over the other? Why?
A few images from around the Midwest from our last month of travels – in order, Lake Superior at Cove Point, Como Park in St. Paul, and Bond Falls in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Friday, my son and I (thanks to a neighbor’s tip), got our first glimpse of the new kids on the block – two Great Horned owlets. I returned this morning to snap a few quick pictures so as not to draw too much attention although a half dozen spectators were in attendance. The owl on the right appears especially unhappy with having spent the night out in the rain.
Reports are coming in from around the state – the birds are returning from their winter homes and while it may still look a lot like winter outside, they seem to be finally bringing spring with them. I am in the process of preparing images for an upcoming exhibit and thought I’d share a couple images from the exhibit of last year’s spring harbingers.
I think I’m ready to cry “uncle” – true, there is something peaceful and serene about a snowfall but I have a feeling this might be the last “shot” of winter. NOTE: You can enlarge any image on the blog simply by clicking on the image.
This is what happens when you wish prematurely for the coming of spring!
Here’s an image from a trip last March to Hot Springs, Arkansas to take one’s mind off 30 degrees below zero wind chill and the promise of warmer weather. As well, the second image from last July is three white-tailed deer (all bucks) that were passing through Como Park – the new swimming pool is in the background. There were four deer to start with but by the time I ran home, grabbed a camera, and returned, one had already left.
Sorry for playing hooky this summer – it was fast, full and fun with art fairs and family affairs – here are a couple of images from our ramblings – the first one is from Pictured Rocks National Seashore in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and the second one is from the woods in northeastern Wisconsin on a DARK and moonless night in August.
On the southwest end of Como Park is an active bluebird nesting box. The parents are coming and going constantly with food and maintenance. The female frequently exits the nest with a small white “bundle.” According to a site called bluebirdnut.com, “The parents are very meticulous about cleaning up the nestbox. When the eggs hatch, the female usually eats the eggshells to help with her egg production or disposes of them far away from the nestbox. While the babies are growing, the parents will carry away the waste products from the nestlings. The waste is in the form of neat little bundles called “fecal sacs”.
A couple of weeks ago, while walking the dog, I spotted a red fox on a neighbor’s lawn on the southwest end of Como Lake. It appears to have a den in the vicinity according to other neighbors and a Parks and Recreation employee. So why do we still have so many rabbits around here?
Pardon my lack of ornithological expertise…what I thought was a change in maturation of a lone owlet last week was a second owlet altogether. We were not aware that there were two owlets until last Tuesday (May 8), when they came together after a flock of crows began to hassle them. The parent showed up almost right away to offer support.
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