Narveson News Blog Edition

Lost

2012-02-13T19:46:00.000-05:00

What was that, that just when by the window? There it is again, only this time this gray bird landed on the Chinese Lantern by the pond and not a camera to be found! You know that feeling, when you need something you grab the first item that looks like what you are looking for. Great the first camera I grab doesn't have a memory card in it, where's the other camera. This one has the wrong lens on it, but it has a memory card and power. When I get back, the bird is gone. Wait for it and wait some more and then it came back.

This gray bird is a Townsend's Solitaire and it must be lost or all the west winds this winter have blown it east. As you can see, this bird should not even be close to Minnesota. What next is going to come through the yard this year.

Thing you see

2012-02-05T17:45:00.000-05:00

Sometimes when I walk the river or one of the wildlife refuge you see things and just make you pause to wonder why or how did that get there?

This Winter they placed signs at the entrances to the all the wildlife refuges. I will let you make your our thoughts on this one.

Then there was this ball and this chair, that is a good 30' in the air. How did they get there?

Or this chair, just waiting for Summer and how did it get there?

So take a look around, my might find these item like this and make you pause.

Sunday on the river

2012-01-29T21:01:00.002-05:00

The sun was out, the snow was fresh and there was no possible way that I was going to spend a day like this inside. It was off to the river I went, kind of sounds like something that I would have said and done and as a kid. But then habits are hard to break and I hope this is one habit that I never have to break.
But I was not alone this weekend, as I watch the swans. I had a Bald Eagle watching either me or the Swans or it could have been the Muskrats running around on the ice.

Game On!

2012-01-22T17:10:00.000-05:00

Once again another great year of watching the US Pond Hockey Championships. It was a perfect day for hockey, the temp at 8:00 AM was -4 and not a cloud in the sky. I'm just going to let the photo's speak for themselves.

The Swans and I

2012-01-16T09:49:00.001-05:00

I have this place along the Minnesota River that doesn't freeze over and that about a dozen or so Tundra Swans call home this Winter. It's not the easiest place to get to, but that my be why I don't seen anyone else around. This is a place were you find a fallen tree and seat a watch the world go by. I always try to walk into the site as quietly as I can, to see how close I can come before one of the Swans spots or hears me. Most of the time I can get within 30 feet before the hooking alarm goes off. Once I have found a log or stump to seat on, the Swans relax and go back to being themselves. But it's just not Swans that are in the area. There are other ducks, hawks, eagles and other small birds around. Once in a while a Coyote will come out, just to disturber the quite. As I sat there this Sunday, I watched the Swans take short little flights as if they where just stretching their wings. I know I only will have the Swans around for an other couple of months and then it is back north for the Summer.

Turn Around

2012-01-08T17:56:00.000-05:00

The last time I was walking out of the refuge, the wind was blowing, it was cold and the sun was setting. All I could think about was getting home. I heard a Eagle call, I turned around and this was my view. This was one of those moments that you just stop, listen and remember. Just then the wind died down and it was just me and a Bald Eagle. Does it get any better then this?

Last week of 2011

2012-01-01T15:29:00.000-05:00

The last week of 2011 was very quite, the weather was warm and there was no snow, except for the dusting on New Years Eve. The warm weather has kept me off the ice and on the trails and river banks looking for bird and other items.
This juvenile Bald Eagle, had no problem walking across the ice with those talons. The warm weather wasn't just enjoyed by me, as this Red Tail Hawk and these Muskrat's soaked up the sun.

Christmas

2011-12-26T16:49:00.000-05:00

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

2011-12-19T09:00:00.000-05:00

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

2011-12-12T11:43:00.000-05:00

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

2011-12-04T18:06:00.001-05:00

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

2011-11-27T20:27:00.001-05:00

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

2011-11-21T08:31:00.000-05:00

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

2011-11-15T09:17:00.000-05:00

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

2011-11-08T08:17:00.000-05:00

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.

2011-10-31T09:02:00.000-04:00

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

2011-10-25T08:50:00.000-04:00

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

2011-10-16T18:01:00.000-04:00

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

2011-10-10T08:18:00.000-04:00

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.

Fall

2011-09-26T08:54:00.000-04:00

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!

2011-09-19T08:45:00.001-04:00

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

2011-09-12T08:23:00.002-04:00

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!

2011-09-06T08:44:00.001-04:00

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?

2011-08-29T08:51:00.000-04:00

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

Minnesota State Fair Entry Day

2011-08-22T09:29:00.000-04:00

The last fair is here!! The Minnesota State Fair, starts this week, August 25th. But before the gates open, our kitchen has been going non stop, for the last three days. The floor is sticky, the oven is having a melt down and the house is covered with a fine dusting of flower. I thought you might like to see what goes on, to make all those entries and what it looks like, on entrie day.

Carver Fair 2011

2011-08-14T13:03:00.001-04:00

I thought I would, post a couple of my photo's that won at the Carver County Fair, this week. Thanks to those that sent, comments on what they liked, in some of the past post.

First Place, Insect

First Place B&W Holiday

First Place Reserve Champion Sepia Landscape

First Place Champion B&W Bird

Hot and Hummid

2011-08-08T17:52:00.000-04:00

Since, it has been so Hot and Humid, you just know, it is going to have a good crop of mushrooms in the yard. Kim found, these red mushrooms coming up. These mushrooms are only about one inch tall and they are everywhere this year. Now until the first frost, which can't get here soon enough, the mushrooms will be coming up. If you drive by, and you see Kim laying in the yard, it's okay. She's just found a mushroom.

August

2011-08-01T08:45:00.000-04:00

I thought, I would post a few photo's that are close to being deleted, for some reason or another.

Feeling Green

2011-07-25T08:29:00.001-04:00

This summer, has been Hot, Humid and Wet and everything is green. And with all the thick foliage, it sometimes makes it hard to see, the bird and other animals. On a recent walk around Lone Lake a Green Heron, was going for a walk on the Lilly Pads, looking for a bite to eat.

I know, that I have done this before, but can you find the Green Heron, without looking a the circled image?

B&W and Sepia

2011-07-17T20:15:00.000-04:00

Carvery County Fair is just a couple of weeks away, and I have started to put my photo's in order for competition. The judging is tough at this fair, so I have to make sure everything is just right. This year, I thought I would, enter some Black and White and Sepia photo's. It has been along time, since I have done either, okay, about 30 years. Here are a couple that I am think of entering. It's okay to comment, it takes a lot to hurt my feeling.

B-17 Flying Fortress

Southern UT

Death Valley

San Francisco Town Hall

Big and White

2011-07-10T20:50:00.000-04:00

Believe it or not, we have American White Pelican's in Minnesota. I always thought, that the only place you could find Pelican's was along the southern cost. But, as you can see from the map, I had something to learn about them.

This year, there doesn't seem to be as many around as in years past. But, I did find a group on Big Stone National Wildlife Refuse. Pelicans are big, they weigh up to 20 pounds and have a 9' wing span. If you think, that they would be easy to spot in the sky, think again. They often fly in groups, circling a area. These groups can be 4 to 5 or up to 20. When they make a turn in the sky, they disappear.

Look around, you just might see one.

Yellow Headed Blackbird

2011-07-05T09:54:00.000-04:00

We finally, found a Yellow Headed Blackbird, it only has taken a couple of years, but we did it. I know, some of you have them in your area, but it has always been a rumor, that they are in our area. We looked, but nothing. So we packed up, and headed to Western Minnesota. In the middle of some corn fields, down a abandon road. There is a small wetland, and sure enough, we found them. I know, that some of you are think, what's so special about this bird. Nothing, nothing at all. It's one of those thing, that you put out there as a goal to find each year. Two years ago, it was a Snowy Owl, and I found one. Next year, who knows what it will be.

What does it need?

2011-06-27T08:29:00.000-04:00

We have all had this problem. You complete a project, you stand back and say to yourself, what's missing? I have that problem, what's missing from this project. Does it need something or is it just me. So give me your ideas, post a reply or send me an email. Lets see, if you can add, that finish touch.

The Weekend

2011-06-20T08:27:00.000-04:00

The summer weekends are in fun swing at our house and with summer, come the car shows and the County Fairs. We start off the first Fair of the season, with the Hennepin County Fair. The ribbon count: Ted 11 and Kim 54. Not a bad way to start the year off. And my nephew Chris, won 2 ribbons on his beer. Then there is was the Back to the 50s car show, at the State Fair ground. 11,000 cars, thousands of people and fog, mist and rain. But, I we haven't melted yet from being wet, so we stuck it out. Next weekend, the canning operation goes into gear and the floor in the kitchen is sticky all summer.

Mall of America

2011-06-13T09:30:00.000-04:00

Oh the great Mall of America, a destination for 40 million people each year. But what 99.9% of those visiting don't realize, is that they are within walking distance of one of Minnesota's best kept secret. The Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. http://www.fws.gov/midwest/MinnesotaValley/ When you fly into the Minneapolis Airport, the area to south, looks like one big swamp. Will, it kind of is. But, it's a swamp you can walk in. And it is not all wet, the trails are dry, the trees are large and the bugs are hungry! Did you know, that there is a trout stream that start less then 1,000 feet from the entrance to the mall?

I thought you mike like to see, a couple to photo's not associated with the MOA.

River Otter

Beaver

Red Belly Snake, 6"

Scott and Heather's Wedding

2011-06-05T21:36:00.000-04:00

Just when you think it's never going to happen, Heather gets married! Now, if you know Heather, she dated more men, then I dated women in college. But, then along came Scott, and the the dating of others STOPPED. Could it be we thought, that Heather has found the one? After a few years of dating and testing the waters, the wedding date was set. And this weekend, the two where married. Now, if dating a lot of people has anything to do with how long you will be married? Kim and I will celebrate our 25th year, this summer. Congratulations you two!

Memorial Day

2011-05-30T21:31:00.000-04:00

The first County Fair is coming up in three weeks. Kim is practicing her baking and I am looking at photo's to enter. One of the categories, is photo that represents patriotism. I have looked at over 10,000 photo's from the past year, and I can't find anything. And then I came across these photo's of my dad. My dad, Levern Narveson, was part of the Greatest Generation. He never talked about the war, it was something that you did. You did your job, you came home, and life went on. If I asked my dad about the war, he would tell me anything I wanted to know. But he always end the story, by stating "Everyday I wake up, is a bonus day" My dad lived his life that way, and I feel he passed some of that on to me. There is a book being written about the 99th Infantry Separate Battalion, or other wise know as the Norwegian Ski Troops. This was a group of men, that not much is know about. Other then they did what they had to do. To me, a Patriot, is someone that does what it asked and doesn't ask for anything in return. That would have been my dad.

Thanks dad.

Levern T Narveson

Liberty Ship off the Normandy Coast

My dads view of the Normandy Beach

American flag in our yard

Just Add Water

2011-05-23T08:46:00.000-04:00

Just add water and you will find something.
I will let the photo's speak for themselves.

It's Warbler Time

2011-05-16T19:55:00.000-04:00

It's Warbler Time? Warblers are a very small, colorful, bird. That spends in winters in the tropics, then spends in summers along the US and Canadian borders. So for us, finding one of these little birds, (about 3" in length) is not always the easiest. And they never stop moving. They come through here in May and then again in September. These are just a few of those that we spotted last week.

Magnolia Warbler

Nashville Warber

Yellow Throat Warbler

Black and White Warbler

American Redstart

Northern Parula

Yellow Warbler

Sitting Duck

Spring is in the air

2011-05-08T20:37:00.000-04:00

With Spring, in the air. You never know what you are going to find and sometimes, you just have to be in the right place.

This Tom Turkey, was looking for a mate, but no one was taking him up on his offer.

These two Snapping turtles, where doing what Snapping turtles do in the spring.

Now, each Spring, we have two Mallard ducks, in our backyard. They spend time in the stream, eat the bugs in the yard, but we never see, any little ones.

How about this monster, will maybe it thinks it is. This is a Red Belly, it is the smallest snake in Minnesota. It's about the size of a night crawler. But Kim, still acted as if it was three feet long!

A Pie Billed Grebe, their not very big, and once the marsh grass fills in, you will not see them.

Or, this Solitary Sandpiper.

Or, seeing Kim, caught in the rain. Sorry, there are no photo's of that. You learn a few things, after 25 years of marriage. I like my camera to much, to take that photo.

Sun's Coming Up

2011-05-02T09:06:00.000-04:00

I know, some of you when you can't sleep any longer, you laying in bed watch TV, read a book or just toss n turn. Me, I get up, grab my camera and see what the new day is going to bring. Just call me nuts, but the half hour before and after sunrise is the best time to be outside. Now, Kim doesn't always agree with me, unless she has a large coffee in hand. The next Saturday or Sunday, when you can't sleep any longer, head outside and see what you find. The photo's below, are from a park, not to far from downtown Minneapolis at that time.

White Egret

Red Winged Black Bird

Canadian Goose

Wood Duck

Tough Week

2011-04-25T08:33:00.000-04:00

It has been a tough week for those of us that like Spring. It snowed, three out of the past seven days. But, don't tell that to the flowers, that keep pushing forward with the Spring season.

But by the end of the week, it was feeling like Spring and looking like it.

Yellow Rump Warbler

American Robin

Moving North

2011-04-18T09:26:00.000-04:00

It's that time of year, the time of year, when the migration north is on. But, sometimes you have to look for it. It's not the large flocks of Geese and duck's, but the little ones that are heading north of the border after spending the winter in the deep south or tropics.

Yellow Rumped Warbler

Ruby Crowned Kinglet

I know, that I am always tell people to look for the little things, that shouldn't be there. And I'm going to do it again. Take a look at the photo of the tree, do you see the Brown Creeper. This little bird, spends it's day, in the lower parts of trees, in the shadows, looking for bugs. If you see something, moving around in the shadows of the tree's, it just might be a Creeper.

Brown Creep

Frozen Four

2011-04-11T08:52:00.001-04:00

It's that time of year, for the NCAA Frozen Four Men's Hockey Championship. This year, the event was held in St. Paul MN, which just kind of felt strange, not going some place out of state to watch it. But, that didn't stop us from having a good time. The championship came down to University of Minnesota Duluth and University of Michigan. Duluth won it in overtime, 3-2. Korey and Brady showed up, to spend the weekend with us, and going to the games and tailgating of course. Next year Tampa FL.

Spring and a sunny day

2011-04-04T09:47:00.000-04:00

I think this old Snapping Turtle, sums up how most of us in Minnesota felt this weekend, when the sun came out and the ice started to melt. But as you can see, other forms of life, are enjoying the sun. It didn't take long for a little green to show up. The Muskrat on the other hand, found itself, some winter kill, to feed on. Keep coming Spring, I know you can do it.

Spring Keeps Coming

2011-03-27T19:56:00.001-04:00

Another, sign of Spring, after 6" of snow this week. Our first Eastern Blue bird of the year was checking out the area, I just it must be, first come first server for the best nest locations. This Red Belly was looking of bugs on the move. The Great Horned Owl, gave me the look, that only a mother can give, so it must have been the female. And we have Sapcicles, hanging from the trees.

SPRING!!!

2011-03-21T18:03:00.000-04:00

Just when I thought, I would never seen any signs of Spring, up came the Snowdrops last night. The end of Winter is near!

One Slightly Used Nest

2011-03-21T08:44:00.000-04:00

Not to far from our home, is a large nest high in the trees. The nest was build by the a pair of hawks a couple of years ago. But, ever since it was built, the Great Horned Owl family, used the nest for their home. The owls will use it from February - May, then the hawks come back to use it in May. The next time, you are out. Take a look at some of the larger nest in trees and you might get the look.

Last March 2010 and Eagle Cam

2011-03-13T16:53:00.000-04:00

It is hard to believe, that last year at this time, the snow was gone, a butterfly was out, and flowers had started to come out. We have at least, a foot of snow to melt, before we see even bare ground. But, there is hope and that what we live for this year.

Follow this link, http://www.ustream.tv/channel/decorah-eagles#utm_campaigne=synclickback&source=http://raptorresource.org/falcon_cams/decorah_eagle_xcel.html&medium=3064708

It will take you to a web cam, on a Eagle nest in Decorah Iowa. They are setting on three eggs. I hope you enjoy it.

Practice Makes Perfect

2011-03-06T17:47:00.000-05:00

It is nice that fair season is four months away. One, it means that Spring is getting closer and two, Kim is trying new breads. The one this weekend, is a beer wheat bread. The house smells so good, it is one of those breads, that is a meal in itself.

The End of February

2011-02-27T17:11:00.000-05:00

As the sun was coming up the other morning and I was looking at the fresh coat of snow. I kept telling myself, Spring is coming, Spring is coming. And today, as I tried to walk through the National Wild Life Refuse, and had snow over my knee's, I wondered, why did I not buy Snowshoes this year! Next year I will have a pair, and it will surely not snow then.
There has to be a story behind this tree.

It's Still Winter

2011-02-20T16:42:00.001-05:00

I am starting to feel like this, Rubber Duck this winter. And once again it is snowing! another 8-12".

I know, this just looks cold and it was.

The Horned Larks are around.

I want to know, who has the guts to shear off an immature Bald Eagles tail feathers?

A Break

2011-02-13T17:54:00.000-05:00

We had a high of 47 today!! It was the break we needed. There is hope and today, it looks a Winter is loosing it grip. A stream had opened up, the bugs have come out, even this little spider.

Now this Sharp Shinned Hawk, has been feeding on the birds in the backyard this week, but it might be moving north. Could it know something.

Cold New Mexico

2011-02-08T08:43:00.000-05:00

The quest to visit all national parks and monuments, has begun. The idea was to get away from the cold and snow, and go to New Mexico. Well we could not escape the cold and snow, but we did see some interesting areas. One thing about traveling in February, is that you have the parks to yourself. No really, we where the only ones at most of the parks or monuments. It was cold enough, that we taught, the park rangers, the MN trick, on how to instantly freeze water at -20. Now, were will the next park or monument trip be? You can find more photo's of the trip, by following the link on the right.

We are back

2011-02-06T20:23:00.000-05:00

We are back, but from were? More to come this week.

It's Alive!

2011-01-30T19:43:00.000-05:00

After setting frozen in a tomb of snow and ice, for the past two months. It was time, to fire up the Egg. I couldn't take it any longer, I need a fix of the smell of charcoal getting hot. The smell of chicken on the grill. I even left the door to the house open just a little bit, to bring that smell of Sunday Chicken, you know, that smell of summer. I use my gas grill, almost every night, but the Green Egg, is the best.

Game On!

2011-01-23T20:04:00.000-05:00

25 Rinks, 200 Teams and 24" on ice, the sun was out, the temp was above zero. A perfect day in Minnesota for the US Pond Hockey Championships. What a great time, if you are ever in Minneapolis the third weekend in January, stop by. But bring warm cloths.

My Brother Tom

2011-01-20T18:09:00.000-05:00

It was ten years ago today, since my brother passed on. I was reading some quotes the other day, and this one reminded me of him.

There are souls in this world which have a gift of finding joy everywhere and leaving it behind them when they go.

I miss you buddy

I know it's there!

2011-01-17T10:04:00.000-05:00

I know it's there, that's what I keep telling myself. I feel like I'm living in someone's snow globe this year. Every other day, someone shakes the snow globe and more snow piles up. I have spent more time, clearing the snow, off my drive way, than I spent mowing the grass last summer. But as I look at the snow, I know that in just a few more months, it will be GREEN!

Don't Expect

2011-01-10T08:19:00.000-05:00

Sometimes, you don't just expect to see things and this was a weekend full of them.
I knew it was cold out Saturday morning, but I have never seen a Goose with an ice build up.
A Great Blue Heron in January? could Spring be close?
San Francisco Town Hall in Minnesota?
Or finally, getting a photo of the 14 point buck that keeps draining my peanut feeder.

You never know, what you will see next.

Finaly!

2011-01-02T20:12:00.001-05:00

I know, it isn't a big deal to you. But, for the last couple of years, I have been trying to get a photo of an American Kestrel. These birds are only about 7" in length. And each time I find one, the lighting is bad, the sky is gray, or they just fly off. Not this time, it was my lucky day. If you click on the photo, you will notice, that he is kind of a messy eater.

Rough Leg Hawk, taking off from it perch.
How many Swans do you see in the photo below?
Frosty morning in Southern Minnesota.

Merry Christmas

2010-12-25T12:34:00.000-05:00

My Vaction

2010-12-21T07:48:00.000-05:00

Some of you perfer to spend your vacation on a white sandy beach, I perfer to spend mine on the white snowy lakes of Minnesota.

The Blast

2010-12-13T09:36:00.000-05:00

The Blast, that's the best way to describe this weekends snow storm that dropped 18" on us. This male Cardinal had the right idea, just lean your head into the wind, until you can no longer take it. Then go and seat in the warm water of the heated bird pond. However, I think the Squirrel wishes that he could have joined the Cardinal. So far we have had 36" of snow this Winter and we are just getting started.

Saturday Moring

2010-12-05T18:05:00.001-05:00

This is what our backyard, looked like, as the sun was starting to come up this past Saturday at about 6:45. I know, that some of you have never seen 6:45 AM, but this is what it looks like. It was just me a the deer. Take a look at the next photo, do you see the four deer bedded down in the woods.
I heard the swans fly over a couple of weeks ago, so I headed down to the back waters of the Minnesota river and I found them. When I did, find them, I found the Trumpeter swans. But this time, I found all three. Mute, Trumpeter and Tundra. Sorry, but is kind of a big thing.

The Holidays

2010-11-28T20:48:00.000-05:00

Does this help to get you in the Spirit of the holidays? The bubbling rock in the front yard is almost frozen over, the Blue Door has a dusting of snow and our Christmas Tree is up. Every family has a tradition, when it comes to decorating the Christmas Tree. For us, the first ornament that is placed on the tree, is a hand made ornament that was given to me as a child, from my brother, Tom's Aunt Agnes. It is the first to go on and the last to come off. Then, Kim puts the tree topper on. This year, we have decided to decorate the house in white. As Kim puts it, it is a white Christmas, at our house. I am sure, that Bing Crosby will be playing soon. Next week, I will show more photo's of the house.

The Return

2010-11-22T10:00:00.001-05:00

Last Friday, I was putting up the last Christmas lights in the fog and mist, when I heard one of my favorite sounds in nature. The sound of Trumpeter Swans, flying over head. Flock after flock, flew over our home. I just might have to spend sometime, looking for them along the river, this coming weekend. Well this buck, escaped the deer season in MN this year. Looks as if he thinks my backyard, will be he feeding station. I don't think so! The tree is in the house, now, what color will Kim decorate this year? Last year was Red, any guesses?

Snow!

2010-11-14T16:56:00.000-05:00

It was just a matter of time, before the snow came. When we got up at the crack of dawn, there was only about an inch or so on the ground. By the time we got done with coffee, there was five inches on the ground and by the time we came back from lunch, there was twelve inches on the ground. This was a cardiologist dream come true, it was wet and heavy. The area of town the we live in, looks like a tornado had come through. Tree's are down everywhere, getting home from lunch, three of the four roads, coming to our home where blocked by down tree's. The one open road, if you can call it that, is in the photo below.
With all the tree's down, most of the area is without power and going on 48 hours with out power. We are lucky this time, but there is a tree hanging in the wires, in the back yard. Winter had to start sometime.

It Begins

2010-10-31T17:56:00.000-04:00

On our vacation this year, Kim had this idea that we should visit as many National Parks and National Monuments as we can. I thought, that's not a bad idea, how many can there be?This shouldn't take to long a couple of years or so. That is, if you did it full time. I had no idea. We might as well start in our own backyard. 6 AM Saturday, we are on the road heading west, then a little south. To Pipestone National Monument. This is the link to the site.
http://www.nps.gov/pipe/

One down and more to come.

National Historic Site 82
National Monument 78
National Park 59
National Historical Park 47
National Memorial 40
National Recreation Area 20
National Preserve 18
National Cemetery 14
National Wild And Scenic River 13
National Battlefield 12
National Seashore 10
National Military Park 9
National Parkway 9
Park 6
National River 5
National Battlefield Park 4
National Lakeshore 4
National Scenic Trail 4
National Reserve 2
International Historic Site 1
National Battlefield Site 1

The Look of Fall

2010-10-25T11:04:00.000-04:00

This, is why I get up early. Just me and a Duck or two.

Just passing through, is this Hermit Thrush that stop to take a bath in the stream.

Rodent Control

2010-10-17T17:24:00.001-04:00

I now have an assistant, in helping me control the mice and other little rodents in the yard. This young Red Fox, showed up this weekend and was having a great time going through the leaves looking for it's next meal. We have had only a couple of Red Fox in the area, but most of the time, we see the Gray Foxes.

You can find more photo's from are trip at http://picasaweb.google.com/ted.narveson

Let's Go!

2010-10-10T20:12:00.001-04:00

10 days 2600 air miles 2000 road miles 20 foot miles 5 national parks 1 national monument and 5 states Oh and we had time to spend 2 days at the pool. So after the dust settled and we looked back at were we have been: Arches National park, Canyon Land National Park, Hovenweep National Park, Mesa Verde National Park and Death Valley National Park. Canyon of the Ancients National Monument. We bounced and vibrated are way down some great roads and we hiked down some dusty, sandy, rocky and salty trails. We found mountains that collapsed over time due to rain water, canyons carved out by the Colorado river. We made it to the lowest place -264 feet below sea level in Death Valley. Canyons that where so quite that It made your ears hurt due to the absents of any noise. Mineral deposits of every color of the rainbow. We visited ancient Indian ruins and homes that they built on the side of cliff and on top of rocks. When the jeep started to look like a rolling ball of dust, from are travels we knew it was time for Vegas. Oh the land of make believe. After going and going, it was time to shutdown for a few days by the pool with a cocktail and contemplate your bellybutton. It is always good to get away from home, to see what is out there and to see how others live and to appreciate the place you call home. I will post more photos later.

Oh my knee's

2010-09-26T17:15:00.000-04:00

That's the words I hear with Kim's latest hobby. These mushrooms are killing my knee's! That I why I stick to birds, but Kim has discovered a whole new world beneath the undergrowth of the lawn and woods. Most of these mushroom are less then a half inch tall. Some are so small, they look like the pebbles that they grow in. With all the rain, this past week. This coming week should be good mushroom hunting.

Next week, the blog will be down for maintenance, but back up, the following weekend.

Alone

2010-09-19T17:40:00.000-04:00

This had to be the best pre Fall weekend, 55-60 clear sky's, light winds and no one was outside. I hiked, about ten miles this weekend, along trails next to the Minnesota Rive, National Wild Life Refuse and all within a half hour drive from Minneapolis. And I did not run into one person on the trails. It was great. I added some of Kim's Marco work this week to the Blog. I can't tell you the name of the Mushrooms, but the first one, is about 3/8" high. The second, it just stinks and it is only about 1" tall.

Enjoy the taste of Fall.

Missing something?

2010-09-12T17:25:00.001-04:00

This House Finch caught my eye recently, do to it Mohawk. When I had the opportunity to take it photo, I noticed something wrong. The finch does not have an upper beak. Now finches are seed eater, they roll the seeds in their beaks to break them down. However, this one has learned to adapt. It does not appear to be going hungry. I scoops up the seeks and chews them up. Go to show, that even birds can adjust to the situations that are dealt to them in life.

281 Days

2010-09-06T19:52:00.000-04:00

What does 281 days mean? That is the number of days, until the next fair. I know, big deal right. However, since Kim didn't feel that she did all that great at the State Fair this year (only 14 ribbons) in her bread baking. I challenged her to make one new kind of bread each week. To keep up with the challenge, you can follow along at Kim's Bread Adventure at www.kimsbread.blogspot.com

Minnesota State Fair 2010

2010-08-29T20:16:00.000-04:00

I know you have all been waiting to hear how we did at the State Fair this year? The results are in, the grand total is thirteen ribbons. Of the thirteen, Kim won first place on here Blueberry Jam. This is kind of a big deal in Minnesota, since everyone, thinks they can make Blueberry Jam. But for me, it was winning Fourth place on my Honey Baked Nut. If you don't know it, Kim and I compete against each other in this category. Kim receive fifth place. I think it was the smoking of the nuts and the soaking them in Jack Daniels, that put me over her. The Fair was great, it was hot, it was windy, it was 12 hours long. And by the end of the day, I wished, I could have traded places with this kid.

Fair Week

2010-08-22T20:03:00.000-04:00

You know it is fair week when, for the past days, the house smells of fresh bread, cakes, cookies and the kitchens is covered in this thin layer of flower. This Sunday was the drop off day for all baked goods. Kim has her wagon full and the now the waiting begins. One more drop off, for honey baked good, and we are done for the year.

This past week has been HOT. The birds are just sitting in the water, but some, like the Robin are really into it.
How soon till Fall comes?

Carver County Fair Totals

2010-08-16T20:37:00.000-04:00

As promised, here is this year's ribbon count from the 2010 Carver County Fair. A combined total of 45 is listed below.
Ted: Bonsai Champion/First
Swan Photos Reserve Champion/Best in class/First Place
Other photos, 1-Second 2-Thirds
Kim: Canning: Jams/Jellies/BBQ Sauce, 13-First 1-Second 4-Thirds 2-Reserve Champion 3 Champion
Baked Goods: Bread/Cookies/Cakes 8-First 2-Thirds 2-Reserve Champion 2-Champion
Rubber Stamped Greeting Cards: 1-First Reserve Champion

Look out Minnesota State Fair!

Little Things

2010-08-15T19:58:00.000-04:00

If you have been following our Blog, you know that I'm always saying to look around for the small thing, or what should not be there. A Humming bird with bright pink billstick? Were is she going, on a Sunday Morning, dressed like this? Hussy! A Squirrel with Mosquito earrings? How about, these orange mushrooms, that are no taller then 1/2" tall. Or that Bees have hair or what looks to be hair on their eye's. Keep looking, the little things are out there.

Oh and yes the ribbon totals are coming from Carver County Fair. Keep watching.

Those Day's

2010-08-08T19:56:00.000-04:00

Ever have one of those days! The kind where you should just have stayed home and looked out the window and called it a big deal. That was my day along the river. If I wanted to take a photo of a bird, it either tried to hide, turned it's back to me or flew away! And then to top it off, the Egret looks like it is laughing at me. I should have stayed home, plus it would have been a lot cooler.
The Carver County Fair is next weekend, stay tuned for results and also next weekend, Jam's and Jelly's to out to the State Fair. A true sign that summer is almost over.

Lets Eat

2010-08-01T12:39:00.002-04:00

I have been going through suet, just about as fast I can replace it this past month, more then in the dead of winter. I know that someone is eating it and I know it is not the squirrels, since it has hot pepper in it. Finally I caught, who has a craving for it. A father and son, Pileated Woodpecker. If you have never seen a Pileated Woodpecker, they are about the size of a crow.

The bottom two photo's are from Kim. Some of her Marco works and her friend the hawk, keeping the squirrel population in check in the backyard.

Round two of the fairs is counting down. The Carver County Fair is in less then ten days. All the jams, and jellies are done. Now all I have to do is grease the eclectic meter, for the start of bread baking. I will be doing some bread in the Green Egg today. Enjoy the week.

Photo's

2010-07-25T17:09:00.000-04:00

Not much to say this week. I know it doesn't happen very often, but it does. So enjoy it. I will let the photo's do the speaking for me this week.

Pizza

2010-07-18T20:15:00.001-04:00

If you have been to our home on a Friday night, you can be sure to two things, Whiskey and Pizza. If you have never made pizza on the grill, now is the time. I am not going to get into how you make your pizza on the grill, but with a few web searches you will figure it out. If you want the recipe that Kim and I use, let me know and I will get it to you. Once you make your own or even go to Papa Murphy's to get a take and bake, you will stop using the oven. It is so good. Even the four legged vacuum, will steal a piece, when you are not looking. Oh, and no we have not started to make our own whiskey yet, but if it was a entry at one of the Fairs, I am sure Kim would be working a still in the backyard!

Sit and Look

2010-07-11T20:48:00.000-04:00

I always say, you should just sit and look around, you never know what you are going to find. As I came around the corner of the house from being in the swamps, looking for birds not the state bird, as there are plenty of those. I found Kim on the ground, taking photos of the little things. And on her back, was Nellie, another little thing. I guess we all need some help, now and then.

As I was walking in the swamps and woods this weekend, I noticed an absence of shore and wading birds. I wonder if the cold spring kept them away or is there something else going on?

Done!

2010-07-04T16:52:00.001-04:00

I told Kim that I would have the bathroom remodeling project done by June 30 and I missed it by one day! If the power had not gone out one evening, I would have meet the deadline. But it is done. No more 1962 tile and wallpaper. What you don't see is the hallway outside this bathroom. Then Kim got this great idea to see if there was hardwood floors under the carpet. There was, and the carpet is out, the floor has been refinished, the walls painter Merlot Red. Now can I spend sometime on the bike?

Kim has discovered the world of Macro photography. I think that she is doing a good job at it. Enjoy.

Wait for it

2010-06-27T21:41:00.000-04:00

I sometime think that I have the patience of a Saint, when it comes to fishing. But nothing like an Egret. They will stand for what seems like forever, in one spot, or moving very slowly through the water. They wait for just the right moments, and as quick as it happens, they are back to waiting for the next little fish to come by. Kind of like, ice fishing. You wait, and you wait, but in the end it is worth it. Kind of like a lot of things in life. What are you waiting for? Do you have the patience to wait?

One Fair Down

2010-06-21T21:35:00.000-04:00

One fair down and two more to go. It sounds like a lot of work and you are right. Is it fun, you bet it is. Every thing you enter has the potential to be a blue ribbon or so Kim tell me. So how did we do at the Hennepin County Fair. Ribbon count: Ted 7, Kim 43 and each of us received a Champion ribbon. The Eagle photo for me and Kim Catsup.

Chasing Bubbles

2010-06-13T17:54:00.000-04:00

The other night I watched this Eastern Phoebe, chasing bubbles in the stream. Now the bubbles might have looked like bugs, but it was just bubbles coming from the waterfalls upstream. It got me thinking, how many times in our life, have we been chasing bubbles.

Bathroom Update: The walls have been skim coated and primed, the cabinets have been painted, the track lights installed, the marble for the floor has been purchased. I told Kim that it would be finished by June 30, no problem.

It's a Ted and Kim Thing

2010-06-06T20:06:00.002-04:00

I always said that I wanted a headstone in the backyard, well now I have one. However, I don't think that it has found it's final resting place yet.

Okay, after visiting one of the homes in the neighborhood that had not been touch since it was build in the 60's. I thought it was time to take on the middle bathroom. For those of you that have seen the counter top and love it, it is staying. But keep watching for updated.

Why not, dogs will be dogs and why not have fun. And when you are three pounds, you can pull this off. Now if I can only hang on past 50 mph.

Escape

2010-05-31T20:52:00.001-04:00

So where do you go to escape? This where I go to escape, my backyard. When the sun is coming up, the birds are singing or when the sun is setting and the mosquitoes are singing. This is still my escape.

The Watchers

2010-05-23T19:55:00.001-04:00

Ever get that feeling you are being watched. This Cooper Hawk did not let us out of it sight. This past week as Kim and I walked along the creek, not far from our home. We would walk a little distance and the Cooper Hawk would fly to meet us and watch us some more. This buck with it new velvet antlers, did not move as we passed, but just watched as go by. Then there is the Gnome, that watches over the back yard. Are you a watcher, or the watched? Enjoy the week.

What

2010-05-16T20:54:00.001-04:00

Most of the week, it rain here. But when the sun came out the birds came out. The Redwinged Black birds where at full volume. The Mallard ducks, where doing what ducks do in the Hosta's. But can he explain the feather from his bill. The Gold Finches where back to spenting the day bathing. And the Bully of the air, (Red Tailed Hawk) was looking for an easy meal.
Kim is baking and the canning has started! Fresh batch of spaghetti sauce. So good. I have had the bike out, and the wind burn look has set in. This can only mean that summer is on it's way!

Don't Move

2010-05-09T17:54:00.001-04:00

Often, one of us is saying don't move or come here quietly. Well this time not only did Kim not move, this little Oven Bird did not move. Tucked deep in the brush, along side the trail it sat. Waiting for us to move on. An Oven Bird is about four inches in length, no bigger then a Gold Finch. As I was taught, keep looking for what should not be there. Keep looking, you might find one also.

What Time Is It

2010-05-02T12:27:00.000-04:00

You do what at sunrise? and as I post photo's from the weekend (11 AM). I know that some of you are still in bed. But, being the kind of person that does not like to miss the sunrise and feel like my day is wasted, if I am not going by 6 AM. Going birding is great for Kim and I. That hour after sunrise is the best, it is quite, the bugs are less and the bird are moving. I know that you are thinking, get a life. But the song goes "I can sleep when I am dead". So try it you might like it you have nothing to loose.

Hold It

2010-04-25T17:51:00.000-04:00

Some days, I know how may parents must have felt, trying to get all five of us to stand still to take a photo. It must have been like herding cats. Well birds are no different then kids and sometimes I think it would be easier if I photographed children. Maybe my parent should have tried to photograph us early in the morning just as the sun is coming up. I find that the birds don't move much and for some reason they don't mind if I am round them. I noticed Kim's nephews did not move very much early in the morning last weekend. So if you are having trouble taking photos of people or animals, get up early and then enjoy the rest of the day.

American White Pelican
Red Wing Black Bird
Fox Sparrow
Canada Goose

Their Back!

2010-04-18T16:30:00.000-04:00

Their back! well not all of the summer birds, but some are. The Yellow Rump Warbler, the Eastern Phoebe, the Osprey and not to be left out, the Mallards have return to our back yard. Each day, the grass gets greener, the leaves getting larger and the bugs are make their way back to us. But I will not complain, it was a long winter and I am ready to do patio seatin.

Frozen Four

2010-04-11T20:42:00.001-04:00

Where did you go for Spring vacation? We headed to Detroit MI, for the NCAA Frozen Four Hockey Tournament at Ford Field. Hockey in a football stadium? They fulled it off, with 37,000 plus people in attendance. A new record for indoor hockey. But Detroit was not just hockey. We spent our free time at the Ford Museum, this is a must see if you are in the area. Then Kim and I wondered around the downtown area and no, we did not get shot at or mugged. Being a lover of old building, Detroit was full of them. How about the Maritime Cathedral, remember the song sinking of the Edmonton Fitzgerald. Then there was the GM building and then the last one I will call Guardian building. We had a great time. Next year the Frozen Four is back home in St Paul. At least the travel expense will be less.

Who Planted That?

2010-04-04T17:35:00.000-04:00

Don't you just love Spring, if you are like me you walk through your yard and and think to your self. "I don't remember planting that?" So this year I have decided to take photo's of what is coming. So far most of the flowers that are up and out are less the four inches high. That means, that I have to spend a lot of time on my knees. Thanks to Toni, and the book that she gave, I will be about to figure out what some of these flower are. The first photo is Dutchman Britches. The second one is Wild Ginger. I have no idea what the bottom two are, but we will find out.

Suns Up!

2010-03-28T17:26:00.000-04:00

For some of you that read the Narveson News Blog, you have never seen the sun come up on a Saturday Morning. Well the sun was up, I was still drinking coffee and planing my day. And since it is Spring, the Turkeys are back in the yard. They never stay, they just walk through looking for seed and nuts. With the snow gone and frost out of the ground, it was time to get the steam back flowing. A little clean up here and some rearranging of rocks, the water was flowing again. Such a great sound to hear after a long winter. This week Nellie is spending time with us. Following me around the yard and trips to the hardware and just being a dog. But at the end of the day, she is dog tired. Enjoy Spring, (Fall for you Nate)