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.