Tin cow. A rare sighting.

A possible mutant species. Only seen living under powerlines. Is it's tail plugged in?

For those who don't see whitetail deer everyday.

This is a very very common site in northern Wsiconsin. I have to remind myself that in 1978 when we moved to Ashland this was an amazing site for us city folk to see. So for those of you who don't get the daily opportunity.....enjoy.

I wonder what their history is.

This old homestead is south of Sanborn WI.


This red barn is just south of Ashland on Sanborn Ave.


Have you ever wanted to turn the clock back....say 100 years and see what life was like?

Not all of the water is frozen in this part of the world.

This photograph was taken at Big Rock Park in Washburn WI. This stream runs directly into Lake Superior and is a favorite spot for the steelhead fisherman in the area. Picture fish jumping up this little fall and listen real close and you can hear the babbling.

Another view.

A beautiful gift.

Thank you Davis and Becky. This photo does not do this wonderful piece of art justice.

Jambie.

Go see Eight Below at your movie theaters now. Jambie loved the movie.

A view from Nevers Rd. Barksdale WI

Ashland Lighthouse and breakwall.


Ashland Oredock. Notice the pickup truck(s) on the ice near the oredock.

This was not an exercise and it ended well.

Today was one snowmobilers lucky day! At around 3:00 P.M. three snowmobiler were crossing the ice when one snowmobile and rider broke through the ice. The two remaining riders use their cell phones to call 911. They then rushed to this beach area on the mainland to meet rescue crews. The Madeline Island volunteer fire department made the rescue of the rider. The rider had managed to pull himself up onto the ice (he had ice picks a self rescue tool). Details about how long he was in the water or on the ice before rescuers arrived were not clear but one rescuer said 3-4 minutes in the water before he managed to get himself onto the ice. The rider suffer "mild" hypothermia. The snowmobile remains on the bottom.

These rescue crews were wrapping up a successful ice rescue when I arrived at Bayview Beach. The top photo: Washburn Fire and Rescue, the Bayfield WI U.S. Coast Guard, Ashland and Bayfield County Sheriff departments. The middle photo: Madeline Island ice rescue boat returning to Madeline Island after making the rescue. The bottom photo: The two remaining snowmobiles. Notice the X in the upper left corner of this photo ( just off the point of land). This was the point of the breakthrough.

As promised. It ain't ice and it ain't fishing.

Double amaryllis.



Christmas cactus a prolific year for all of these individual plants. These photos are from the archives by special request.

It is winter it is farm country and of course it is one of my wife's passions.

Ice fishing. Then..no more I promise.

The top photo is yours truly with necessary equipment. The second photo is a fish finder/ depth finder and jigging rod. The third photo is the portable shelter setup and one of my favorite fishing buddies. Jambie is a Siberian Husky who is in his element when on the ice. The bottom photo is....well the result of a lucky day. All of these photos are from the archives.

Winter fishing.

For the readers in warmer climates.This is an icefishing shack. Two people can comfortably (it's heated) fish in this shack. The shack is sitting on probably 15-18" of ice over 25-30 feet of water. In the foreground is a power ice auger for boring holes in the ice. Notice the nose of the pickup truck sticking out from behind the shack. If you've never seen ice conditions like this and ice fishing go rent Grumpy Old Men and watch it. The movie was filmed in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Come to think of it I've fished with guys just like those in the movie. I'll have to check the photo archives. Maybe photos to follow.

What a difference 5 days make.

The top photo was taken on 02/15/06 the bottom photo was taken 02/20/06.

Breaking ice Madeline Island Ferry trip.

This photo was taken from the island looking toward Bayfield. This is our ride home.




Today was a first. Although I've made many trips to Madeline Island on the ferry this was the first trip "breaking ice". It was cold and noisey but great fun. My wife and I went to Madleine island for lunch. Two bowls of soup a glass of wine and a Rolling Rock. Took lots of photos met and old friend on the island. The fire in the fire place and large leather couches were very inviting unfortunately there was a ferry to catch. That last one off the island for the day.

Four or five eagle day. I'll explain.

These top two photos are of the same eagle. The photos were taken from the Bayfield Coast Guard Station landing. This would be eagle 1. Madeline Island in the background.


This mid air confrontation was photographed over the channel between Bayfield and Madeline Island. This photograph was taken about 2.5 hours after the top photos. This is either eagle 1 and eagle 2 (I suspect it is eagle 1 again) or eagle 2 and 3. Before the second eagle (2nd year) approached the first eagle (adult) was sitting on the ice with two crows. Bayfield (south) in the background.



These two eagles were photographed at the intersection of US Hwy 2 and WI Hwy 13. This would be eagle 3 (4) and eagle 4 (5). I couldn't resist posting the distant shot with the sun. Look close you can see the two eagles sitting in the tree directly below the sun.

Sunday at the ski hill.

Visit the Mt Ashwabay Ski Area website (see link to the right) to see more Sunday racing photos.

Mt. Ashwabay from the North,

This photo was taken from the same location as the photo of the barns below. It was a beautiful sunny but windy day in Bayfield WI. There is ice between Bayfield and Madeline Island. The ferry is still running but it is pushing ice.

Hillside barns.

This photo was taken on the hill behind Bayfield WI. Apple orchard country.

Race Night. 10th Annual Book Across the Bay.

Time and temp.


The course is lit and set to go.





The bonfire at the start was a popular feature.


The start at 6:00 P.M.


Twelve minutes after the start.

Click on each photo for a larger version

Notice how stretched out the line of skiers is at this point 12 minutes after the race started.

It was one cold night to be out on Chequamegon Bay. The race started at 6:00 P.M. it was a 10K race that weaved back and forth between Ashland and Washburn.

Book Across the Bay. Prep day whiteout conditions minus 7 below.

Conditions on shore.


Setting out signage and firewood for the bonfires.


Bonfire wood.


Notice the shoreline "showing up" as the whiteout dies down. View looking NW.


View looking south toward Ashland power plant. Full whiteout conditions.


Notice the smoke rising from the power plant in the center of photo as the whiteout dies down.