more bird talk

"Both of you are show-offs!"

"You talkin' to me?"

"I'm hungry!"

"Turn left at the Canada Goose."

"Where the heck are we supposed to land?"

Monticello swan talk

"It's still not straight!"

"And your names are ... ?"

"For some reason I don't feel I belong here."

morning coffee break

"I think I dropped it right about here ..."

"I say that's not her natural color."

more from Monticello

for more information about this location, check out the Chamber of Commerce site here 

shot with iPhone

PREACHING TO THE CHOIR
and, as in my former congregation, more than half of the choir is asleep

more to come

Monticello swans this morning

After bragging about it to a number of people, I had not choice but to go, even though the temp. this morning was 24 below zero.

I left for Monticello -- normally about a 45 min. drive -- at 7 a.m.
But the traffic was miserable until 694 split from 94.

As I approached Monticello, about 8 a.m, the temp. was -20

These are a few shots of my first views of the swan feeding area.

There were many more swans, I won't venture a guess, up the river to the northwest.
I had dressed as warm as I could with boots from Cabellas, multiple layers covered by a hooded down jacket from Lands End, etc. Yet, I could stand the cold for only about 15 minutes at a time -- with 10 minute breaks in the running car. The main problem was my hands -- I was wearing gloves within gloves (the warmest Cabellas sells).
The warm ups in the car helped the camera batteries, I didn't have to replace them in either body.
I'll be posting more pix as I edit them -- I took well over 500 shots.

Monticello swans

It's supposed to be even colder tomorrow morning!
Anyone want to join me photographing the swans around sunrise?

-23 That's 23 degrees below zero this morning!

Are you kidding me?

hungry Downy

apology, but I won't eat Crow

... at least not this one.
Work has again interfered with my life and I am delinquent in answering comments, posts, emails, etc. However, I hope to be caught up this week.

Last week several crows paid a visit to my yard. I assumed they were interested in the bird feeders. However, they were scoping out my heated bird bath. There wasn't any bathing, but they did seem to enjoy drinking.
Contrary to many folks, I like crows. When we exchange looks, I'm sure they are out-thinking me (I know, it doesn't take much!).

Dark-eyed Junco

I hadn't seen any Juncos since late fall. However, about four or five showed up beneath my feeders earlier this week. I like them -- they seem like such friendly birds.

American Tree Sparrow

leaving Carlos

more from Carlos

Minnesota's plan for water control = -20 degrees

see the large hawk/eagle against the sky

return to Carlos Avery

After several weeks without any birding trips, it was time to get out. I chose the Carlos Avery Wildlife Management Area , about 15 mi. from my home.

That's the moon, near top center. The reason I mention this is because I am pleasantly surprised at the quality of the images I can get with my iPhone camera -- all of the wide-angle shots were taken with it.

For a while I thought that the only evidence of wildlife would be tracks in the snow.

Then, finally! This was the second pheasant hen I saw -- the first one was too quick for me!

Can you find the moon in this iPhone shot?
If the colors in these pictures seem very warm, it's because they were shot just before sunset.
more to follow

Sandhill Cranes & Snow Geese

I pulled the trigger & signed up for a 4-day, 3-night trip to Kearney, Nebraska, to see the migrating Sandhill Cranes and Snow Geese plus other assorted wildlife. It is the same trip I made last year, led by Stan Tekiela, photographer/author, and sponsored by the Eden Prairie Outdoor Center. I enjoyed the experience so much, I just have to do it again. The dates are March 12th through the 15th. You can read about it in the Parks & Rec. Brochure , p.43. If you are interested in my impressions of the trip, let me know.
As of this afternoon, there should be 4 open slots.
 

When should you buy that new camera?

read Savy Shopping  

Snow Squirrel

It's really an albino squirrel, but Snow Squirrel does seem more appropriate, particularly with all the snow we've had lately.

Just like the grays or reds, Snow Squirrel likes my suet.
I moved it this morning further from the trunk & branches of the pine -- we'll see if it makes a difference.

What makes this one interesting is that the other white squirrels we've had have been rather timid, intimidated by others. The Snow Squirrel is aggressive and will chase the grays away. I haven't seen it come up against the little red terrors yet.

what the chickadee was staring at

I know I've posted too many squirrel photos, but I thought you might give this one an OK.

few more to come ...

what is this chickadee staring at?

find out tomorrow

wildlife ring-tones -- free

Being from Minnesota, I had to pick our state bird, the Common Loon

-- it's LOUD!

There is a wide variety -- try them out here .

1st bird of the New Year: Chickadee

I was very happy that my first bird of the year, seen & photographed, was the Chickadee.

I love these friendly, active neighbors whether ...

... on the ground or ...

... in the air.

2009

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

"Give me all your peanuts and no one gets hurt!"