"Don't I look pretty now?"

off to work

Springbrook, Wednesday, May 16

Since it was going to be sunny this morning, I headed out to Springbrook Nature Center in Fridley. The sun had not risen yet and it was cold.
As usual, I was greeted by some deer upon my entrance from the parking lot. They didn't seem bothered until I got within about 50 yards. It was quite dark yet so I was shooting at about 1/15 of a second; which explains the blur with a 300mm lens on the camera.

There was a heavy fog on the ponds.

As it lifted, the Red-winged Blackbirds became louder and more aggressive.
Our next posting will show what we found after the sun came up.

from my last trip to Carlos Avery

Blue-winged Teal

Wood Ducks

Lake Superior boat trip

I want to go! -- but I won't be able to unless 3 more people sign up. Here's what Mike writes:

I need 3 people to join me on the May 19th Lake Superior Boat Trip. Email if you are interested. I checked out the lake today and the lake still has lots of gulls, terns and waterfowl on it. If I cannot get 3 more people then I will have to cancel the trip. I need to know by Thursday May 17th. I know there is at least a 1,000 birding festivals going on in Minnesota that weekend but if you want to head some place that offers something different give it a try. (-:

Michael Hendrickson
Duluth, Minnesota

Lake Superior Boat Trips
http://webpages.charter.net/mmhendrickson/

Mike's e-mail is: smithville4@charter.net

more from Carlos Avery last Thursday

Sandhill Cranes taking a mid-morning coffee break

Wilson's Snipe

Carlos Avery, Thursday, May 10

Last Thursday I was able to spend a few hours at Carlos Avery. Noticeably more birds than on my previous visit but not as many photo ops.

I was disappointed not to find any Great Egrets although I had seen one the previous Tuesday at Springbrook.
On the left is one of the ever-present deer greeting me on my arrival.

a Sandhill Crane at a distance

pair of Barn Swallows

more on our next set of posts

Danger lurks!

Yesterday we looked at what appeared to be the idyllic life of a Canada Goose family.
But all is not as peaceful at is may appear at first.
Here the goslings are enjoying an outing from the nest.

this is the time to frolic

but danger is approaching!

the alarm is sounded

the reaction

the threat is increased

back to the shelter of the nest

and the attackers are driven away

later, life is good again