more from Sax Zim bog

I think this is the same sassy squirrel that taunted me last winter,

daring me to stay outside in below zero weather.

   

   

This Gray Jay wouldn't sit still, but I assured him I would be back soon when I would have more time to spend making my acquaintance.

   

    

   

   

   

   

   

   

There are many Bald Eagles in Sax Zim.   

   

   

Ron Green

I have admired Ron Green's photography for a long time. Just recently he posted photos from the Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve in Colorado. Take a look here and be overwhelmed by the beauty of nature and Ron's talent in capturing it.

new Warbler discovered ...

... in Vietnam & Laos.

Sax Zim Bog

Yesterday I went to Duluth and had the opportunity to visit Sax/Zim Bog for a few hours. As many birders know, this is a unique and wonderful place, particularly in winter when many birds from Canada migrate to this spot for "warmer" weather and food. As we approached Duluth at sunrise, my car thermometer was -16 degrees F. I'm not sure whether it was the weather or some other reason, but many of the birds I hoped to see, especially the owls, evaded me. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the sunny day (which warmed to +7) and the few birds I did get the chance to photograph. 
Many of the residents are preparing for the Sax/Zim Bog birding festival in February and have already set up feeding stations. I will be sharing some photos from those sites, as well as from my quick passage through some of the favorite birding spots. For more information about the area and the Festival, check out Mike Hendrickson's blog and the Festival's site.

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

If you stop by the feeding stations, many of them will give you an opportunity to contribute towards their maintenance -- please do so!

more to come

the last of Day 4 at Crex Meadows, Wisconsin

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Whooping Crane shot

As reported by Operation Migration (see December 9 post) and

US Fish & Wildlife, which is offering a $2500 reward.


One of our readers, Kayleen, has referred us to this source about Whooping Crane migration.

your rights as a photographer

explained here

thanks to Bob Atkins

battling for Whooping Crane survival

here

more from Day 4 at Crex Meadows

  

  

  

  

  

  

my friend, Les, waiting for the Cranes to fly toward us

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

Day 4 at Crex Meadows - 2nd attempt

These are the photos I attempted to post several days ago. Without explanation, Blogger decided to work again.

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

amazing aurora photography

here

2009 Class of Whooping Cranes Arrive in Tennessee

Read about it here.

test

It looks like I may have regained my ability to post photos on this blog.

I don't understand how or why, but I'll take it --

until I find a more secure way to host a photo blog.

Day 4 at Crex Meadows

For some inexplicable reason, I have been unable to post photos on this blog. Therefore, for the time being, I am posting them on my Voice blog. Please click here for the new photos.

Whooping Cranes

Read here: Whooping Cranes and their utralight are due over Alabama next week.

end of Day 3 at Crex Meadows

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

I hope when I die my wife does not sell my camera equipment for what I told her I paid for it.

-- Dennis "Curly" Buchner

more from Day 3 at Crex Meadows

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

as I was watching the Cranes & Swans, these otters popped out of the water unto the ice

 

  

    

  

  

  

  

  

Can hope make you a better photographer?

Very likely, according to Scott Bourne. Read about it.

Thanksgiving survivor

  

  

  

  

wordless wednesday at Crex

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

composition in photography

25 excellent tips from Scott Bourne

technical aspects of photography

When I make a photo that causes someone to think, smile, laugh or cry, what camera, lens, f-stop is of no importance to them.

-- Scott Bourne

After all, this is a bird blog.

morning of the 3rd day at Crex Meadows, WI

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Woulda ~ Shoulda ~ Coulda?

Great photos by Francine Orr.

We have a lot to be thankful for!

Happy Thanksgiving!

end of Day 2 at Crex Meadows

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

OPERATION MIGRATION from Twitter:  Cowards stole from and vandalized our aircraft hangar at Necedah: http://bit.ly/8awP6A  

Consider making a contribution on their web site.

Another hands-on review of the Canon 7D. This one by a Nikon guy. Read it here.

more of Day 2

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs.

- Ansel Adams

Day 2 at Crex Meadows

Coots at sunrise 

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  

  

  

leaving the roost for feeding on farmers' fields

      

   

     

  

  

  

  

All photographs are accurate. None of them is the truth.

-- Richard Avedon

end of Day 1 at Crex Meadows

hawks playing

   

   

   

Bald Eagle in middle of Phantom Lake

   

   

   

as the sun sets, the Sandhill Cranes return to roost at Crex Meadows

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

more from Day 1 at Crex Meadows

Crex Meadows, Day 1 (cont.)

Sandhill Cranes roost during the night at Crex Meadows; in the morning they leave looking for food in nearby fields, returning in the evening.

  

  

  

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Four days at Crex Meadows

During the last two weeks I visited Crex Meadows four times, primarily to observe the migration of one of my favorite birds, the Sandhill Crane. Crex Meadows Wildlife Area is located just north of Grantsburg, Wisconsin. The Visitor Center is well-staffed, has many exhibits, a complete gift shop, and, most importantly, clean bathrooms. Below are photos from the morning of Day 1.