Game On!

This is one of those weekends that Kim and I look forward to each year. It's U S Pond Hockey Championships and the Barrett Jackson car auction. Once again both where fun to watch and dream, we both wish we could skate and own a classic car. This year the weather for the pond hockey was okay, not to warm and not to cold, but the +6 of snow that fell the night before, made for interesting play on the boards. We followed a group of guys from Michigan called the Pylons, they were fun to watch and I they could skate! They made it to the semi finals and I hope they come back next year. As for the cars, well it was fun to dream.

Should you be down south?

This winter, we have Snowy Owls for the tundra of northern Canada, and now I find a Blue Heron spending the winter and not going south? It does happen, but they look so out of place in the snow. This one looks healthy and has a friend to keep it warm, Mr. Beaver.

Snowy

Once every four years, Snowy Owls head south out the Artic and southern Canada in search of food. Snowy Owls primary food is Lemmings and run on a four year cycle. However, for some reason the Snowy Owls are back! That means, that I have to look for a white out of place bump in the snow and two yellow eyes. White on white and maybe some dog paid a visit to the bump of snow. After searching multiple squire miles of open fields and county roads, I almost gave up for the day. Might as well check out the Minneapolis airport, it has paid off before. For some reason, Owls like airports. After an hour of looking with nothing, their on the corner of a build was what I was looking for!! This immature Snowy Owl was watching the world go by and looking for a meal. Now my quest is to find a mature all white Snowy this winter. This Snowy was a great way to cap off our 2013 birding year with 124 different bird found this year in are area and 68 where found just in our backyard.

December Swans

The sun was out, the temp was above 32, it was time to go for a hike. I thought it would be a good day to see if I could find any Tundra Swans and if they are in my secret place along the Minnesota River. I call it my secret spots, as I have only once in 10 years seen anyone back there. And sure enough, the Swans are there. I find a comfortable spot in the snow and watch. This time I observed the Swans blowing bubbles, as they looked for food in the water. The funny part, was that some had not mastered the art of blowing bubbles, but honked underwater. Now that is just a sound you don't hear everyday.

A Great Visitor

This past Saturday morning as Kim and I where having our coffee, I spotted a Great Horned Owl in the tree outside our four season room. Now we have head the owls hooting at night but have never spotted them. But this time, one showed up. Now just as soon as we spotted him, so did a Red Tailed Hawk and about 30 Crows. This lasted for about 15 min and then the Owl was done with the harassment, and off it went. Now if I can just get a Snowy Owl to show up in my yard!

Brrrrr

Brrrrr, it is cold, don't get me wrong, I like the cold. But it has been crazy cold the last couple of weeks. The other morning is was -17 for the second week in December! But the cold is making ice for ice fishing and that's good. But the cold looks like it is taking it's toll on the birds. The west cost Varied Thrush that has been around for three weeks is gone, I think it headed south. But the Goldfinch just puffs up, to stay warm in the sun.
Stay warm everyone.

Varied Thrush

Goldfinch

Sillver and Crystal

The tree is up and the house is decorated, now let's bring on Christmas! This year we decided to decorate using silver and crystal. I thought it was be easier then it was, it is hard to find silver ornaments. Thankfully, we have been collecting silver for the several years. Looks like the Varied Thrush is sticking around for the winter. It as been here all week long, so she must like the back yard.