Icy Morning

It was as cold as it looks, but the sun was out and it was not snowing.
This swan found one little opening in the water and called it home.
And I did not fly south for what reason?
Even this Malard is having a hard time stoping on the ice.

Could it be?

Could it be? that was what I asked myself this past week as I drove past the Minneapolis Airport. I told Kim, that this was going to be the winter that I found and photographed a Snowy Owl. Looks like my winter is over. The Snowy Owl was sitting on top of a antenna watching the planes go by and looking for a mouse or two. These snowy owls migrate south from the Arctic tundra. So a Minnesota winter must feel like a spring day to them.

Did you see that?

Some sights you don't always see, but wish you did.
The bird bath after it snowed this week.
A Merlin, that is a very small falcon about the size of a Blue Jay.
This immature Double Crested Cormorant must not have listened to it parents and decided to spend the winter in Minnesota and not the Gulf of Mexico. Kids!
Now this is something you don't see ever day. But Kim out looking for birds at 16 degrees.

Copper and Bronze Christmas

As promised, here a some photo's this years tree, Copper and Bronze on a white. I sure do like these flocked trees, they make the ornaments stand out. This weekend we survived two Christmas parties, two down and four more to go. It looks and feels like Christmas around here, the ground is white, it has not gotten above freezing in the past three weeks. Everything is falling into place. That can only mean one thing? Ice Fishing is here!!!

Flying Squirrel

Thought you would like to see the two kinds of flying squirrels that we have in our area. If it was up to Kim, all squirrels would be in the talons of an eagle. This little flying squirrel was on the suet feeder and the gray squirrel going for a ride was along the Minnesota River in Black Dog.

I finely found out who was rubbing up on white pines in the backyard. This 11 point buck, I know some deer hunter how would love to have shot this big guy.

Winter has arrived, the lakes are all frozen, snow is coming down and the house is decorated. Next week I will post photos of the copper/bronze tree. Stay warm.

We have ICE!

Sometimes you just don't fit into the crowd? and I am sure this is the way these two Swans felt this week as they flew down the Mississippi River this week.

Oh, and yes we have ICE. Most of the area lakes and ponds are iced over and there are large chunks of ice flowing down the rivers. This is the earliest that I have ever seen. Last year ice fishing started December 12th for me, I wonder if I will get out sooner this year? Time will tell.

All of our winter birds are back and the feeders are taking a hit every day. As most of the feeders need to be filled twice a week. Do they know something we don't? We are keeping the bird pond open this fall and winter with a heater. The other morning, a finch was taking a bath at 10 degrees. OH BURRRRR.
Next weekend the Christmas tree gets decorated and so does the house. Stay tuned for photos.

November 16

Just a quick post of some photo's from today in the backyard.

What's up Duck?

Okay, I know, only I would take a photo of a Ducks backside. But why not?
We found this American Widgeon sleeping in the early morning light, or maybe the sun was to bright for him.

If you look real close, you can see scum ice forming on the water towards to middle. Or maybe I am just looking forward to ice fishing.

Saturday in Iowa

We pointed the Nitro south and headed to Iowa this weekend to visit Kim's brother and family. Korey, Cathy and thier boys Brady, Parker and Kaden. We had a blast the boys are filled with energy and excitement about everything!

We went to the pumpkin farm and helped them pick out the pumpkins for halloween.

Then Autie Kim got busy playing with her nephews!








Kim and Brady.




Kim and Parker








Kim and Kaden!

We just had tons of fun!

How Many Ducks?

Okay, I know this is kind of lame but this is what Kim and I do. If you look, you can see the three ducks that are circled. Steve, you are the closest with two. Thanks for playing.

Not much new here, fall is in full force, the leaves are falling and the deer are eating everything in the yard that is green and snow flurries are in the forecast.

Just a walk in the woods

What would be a weekend without a walk in the woods or swamp. Since the weather was so nice, out we went. But not to far from home, as the weekends are full and there is a lot to get done before ice fishing starts.
Let's see how good an eye you have in this photo. how many Woodducks do you see. Leave a comment on the number you find. Next week I will show them for those that can't find them.

This week we had a great visit from our old neighbors, Steve and Kathy. Thanks for stopping over.

Zion Bryce and Vegas

We are back, back from a week of vacation! This year we headed to the southwest. First stop was Zion National Park and to keep with our tradition of getting off the beaten path, we found the backdoor to the park and it was well worth it. Zion is one of those parks, that you need to revisit several times to see it all and to see what you missed. Then it was off to Bryce National Park. One word sums it up, WOW. The park was nearly empty of visitors , we felt like we had the place to ourselves. That was until the bus load of tourist came in the late afternoon, but that was okay with us, since it was time to head back to. From the National Parks to Las Vegas we headed and spent three days in Vegas seeing show, eating great food and lounging next to the pool.

To see photo's of our trip, follow the link to on the left side of the page and look for our Zion photo's.