Christmas

Christmas time at our house is filled with traditions, from watching Charlie Brown Christmas to blending both of our family traditions. We also light a candle in remembrance of those that have passed, since we have been married on Christmas Eve. This year the power went out Christmas afternoon, just to add to the fun of the day. Plus it gave Kim an opportunity to burn more candles.

Christmas week is also a great time to find Eagles along the river, this year I spotted a Golden Eagle. For some of you a Golden Eagle is no big deal, but for us it is. You might see one Golden Eagle for every thousand Bald Eagle you see.

Remembering in those who has passed

Christmas with out power

Golden Eagle

Bald Eagle

This is December

Yesterday it was 47 degrees in Minneapolis, last year it was 8 degrees and we had 30" of snow on the ground. With weather like this who can spend time inside, but once again that's what people did. I walked a great a trail along the river for almost three hours and never encountered another person. But that's okay, the peace and quite was a great gift from busy Christmas season.

This year

Last Year

Flying Dogs

Nellie showed up for a vacation last week

Fox

Earlier last week, I caught a glimpse of a Red Fox going thought the front yard. Then the following day just as the sun was setting, the Fox showed up again this time in the back yard. By the time I grabbed the camera, it was turning to leave. I hope it sticks around and works on reducing the number of mice and shews in the area and allow me to get a better photo.

Red Fox in the backyard

Christmas lights while it was snowing

Chasing Ghost of Winter

Each year, I start the Winter off, chasing ghost. The ghost would be the Snowy Owls, that come down from the Arctic, to Minnesota and states further south. Not every year, the owls arrive, but this year there food supply is very limited. Bad for them, good for me. Today I found two of them, one flew over me as I was leaving the National Wildlife Refuge in town and the one in the photo was on top of a antenna mass. Now if I can just find one, before the sun is going down.

I also found a Common Loon this weekend, in it winter plumage. Something we don't see, much of.

Decorated and Lost Duck

As you can see, the house is decorated and the color this year is, Red and White. For the last several years, Kim and I have change, the color we use for decorating the house. Last year was White and the year before was Red. So it was easy to do have a Red and White Christmas this year. The month of December, I will post photos of the house, for everyone to see.
Now for the lost Duck. Driving around lake Calhoun, on Sunday I spotted something that just didn't look like your everyday Mallard. If you look in the photo of the lake, in the center about 3/4 of the way up, you will see what I found. This lost duck, if a female, Long Tail Duck. So what's the big deal. It's not, if we lived on the on the mid atlantic cost. Some how, she made here way to Minnesota. The Long Tail Duck, spend the summer in the Artic Circle and then heads for the Mid Atlantic cost, to spend the winter. I guess, she wanted to get away from the family for the winter. Must be a teenager.

Just a dusting

It had to happen, the snow final made a appearance. But with a forecast of 50 degrees, by the end of the week. The snow will have to go. Maybe this year, I can get that day after Thanksgiving ride in, it's been five years, since that has happened. Let's see.

Each year, we have a different color theme at Christmas. This is a hint.

 A couple of birds in the backyard, from this weekend.

Gold Finch

White Breasted Nut Hatch

Found Them

This Sunday, the hunt was on to find the Tundra Swans. Out to the backwaters of the Minnesota River Valley, and after going through brush and marsh grass, we found the Swans. Look in the middle of the photo and you will see two white objects.  Not a lot of them, but a couple.  And after hearing them fly over the house the other night, there are sure to be more.

What a Beak

Now there's a Beak! This beak belongs to a Northern Shoveler. We don't see many of them in our area for some reason. But that's makes finding one, that more special. Now the search is on for the Tundra Swans.

Northern Shoveler

Fort Snelling State Park.

This weekend we thought, it would be a good idea, to visit one of the State Parks in our backyard. We heading off to, Fort Snelling. Now if you have ever flown it the Minneapolis Airport, there is a good chance you have flown right over it. But if you fly like my sister Bonnie, you have your eyes closed at this time. Follow this link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Snelling_State_Park to learn more about the history of the park and the region.

And since we where in the area, we might as well visit Fort Snelling at the same time. We have visited, several Forts, and this one is at the top of the list. If you are in the Minneapolis area, you need to stop.Drop those off at the Mall of America that want to shop, and you can go visit the Fort. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Snelling

Pike Island

The confluence  of Minnesota and Mississippi

Fort Snelling

Fort Snelling Store House

The change has started, the Summer birds are moving out, like this Eastern Blue Bird and the Winter birds are moving in. With the next couple of cold fronts the come through and a little snow, we should see all are Winter birds. The Hawks have moved in and move Bald Eagles are flying through, so Winter has to be close?

Eastern Blue Bird

Song Sparrow

Dark Eyes Junco

Beacon Rock

As with any trip, you look back at your photo's and see thing. And this past time, was no exception. We hiked that? One of the stops, that Kim planned, was Beacon Rock. Beacon Rock, is the exposed core of an ancient volcano. It stands 848 feet tall above the Columbia river, and is the second largest monolith in the world, next to Gibraltar. Of course, we have to see and you can walk to the top. Where here, let's do it. The trail was established in 1918 and has not changed, with the exception of the some will placed hand rails. The hike takes, 30 minutes up and 45 minutes down. It takes you longer to go down, because the rocks are a little slick. I have circular the trail on the photo and the view, was great from the top.

Road Trip

We just got back, from our trip to Oregon. I will post other photos, during the week and to the photo link, on the right side of the page.

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Fall

Since about July 4th, Kim and I have been waiting for Fall. We love Fall. The days are cool, the mornings are frosty, and the bugs are gone. You can spend, all day in the wood or swamp and come out, with out a bug bite. What could be better? Oh ya, Winter.

I have moved, our photo's to a new site: narveson.smugmug.com you can also follow the link on the right side of the page. How you like the change.

Watt are they looking at!

What are these two guys looking at? This would be my niece Lindsey Banzhaf, being married to Dustin Watt, this past weekend. It was just as Kim and I thought it would be, a great party! You two have set a new benchmark, for family weddings to come.

The Path We Travel

Some of you know, that we are trying to visit as many, if not all the National Parks and National Monuments. But since, you can only do that a couple of times a year, and we have been to most in them State of Minnesota. Why not visit all the State Parks? "Oh the things I agree to!" As with are travels down the road, we are always looking for that off beat trail, not the paved or gravel trail. So I thought you might like to see a couple of trail for this weekend.

25 Years!

Can you believe it, Kim and I have been married for 25 years! Time sure does fly, when you're having fun. And that's what we did on our Anniversary. We went to the Minnesota State Fair and had a great time.

And the winner is?

We both are winners, this year at the Minnesota State Fair. Kim may have won more ribbons then I have, (total of 18, from 1st to 5th) however, I have the best Nuts at the State. Best, Honey Baked Spicy BBQ Nuts. Next week I will add the list in items that won, as some of the entries receive additional ribbons, throughout the Fair.

Spicy Honey BBQ Nuts

Honeydoodle Cookies

Kim and Krista checking out all the Jam's & Jellies

All other canning