Don't you love this season?

I never think of raking leaves until they are well used by young kids like these.

Stop! Listen to the rustling sounds and giggling laughter, breathe in the familiar aroma and watch the fading colors.

Pigeon Lake reflections.

This photo was taken at Pigeon Lake which is southwest of Drummond WI.

Red-tailed Hawk

This Red-tailed Hawk flew right over the hood of my pickup truck. If it were a little lower and a little slower we would have collided. It crossed U.S. 2 and landed on a billboard. I stopped backed up and managed to get these shots.

One of my favorite views.

This is one of my favorite views. I pass this way twice a day (workday). Any season any weather this is a spectular view. I'll bet most of the local readers will know the spot. The bottom shot is zoomed in to 100%

Boo!

Chapple Ave is in preparation for Halloween. Chapple Ave is "Halloween Central". Hundreds of Trick or Treaters descend on an eight block area of Chapple. If your trick or treating you have to be on Chapple Ave.

Mute Swan display.

Or should it be labeled: Mute Swan indifference (L) and display (R). The approaching gesse (out of the frame to the right) sure got one swans attention.

Common Snipe

This Common snipe was photographed at the head of the bay. The water levels were exceptionally low today.

Lingering colors along the Washburn WI shore.

It was a fairly gloomy day today. Although it wasn't an ideal day to take pictures it sure was great to get out and about. To many hours sitting in front of a computer this week.

Is it Friday yet? I feel a full out photo trip coming on.

A couple of days with two cameras, three lens, four CF cards and plenty of batteries.

Hopefully, a little sun and a couple of dozen good photos to show for the day(s)and maybe just maybe one "great" photo for the portfolio.

Remember great is in the eye of the beholder.

Landing at Ashland's JFK Airport

I dug into the photo archives to find a photo of this airplane. Planes and flight are one of the many hobbies of the Minnesota Geek. Visit his website.

If you're an Apple Mac user do yourself a favor and visit his site for the great Tech Tips.

Duck hunting season! No hunting license required.

Bald Eagle circling the bay. Looking southwest. Bodin's on the Lake in the background.


Circling back toward the east. Notice the ducks in the lower right corner.


Talons out and striking the water. Missing it's target.


Recovering from the "near' miss.


Flying off to recircle and try several more times. Finally giving up and flying off.

No guns, duck blinds, decoys, dogs and camo here.

I watched this Bald eagle circle the bay narrowing his circle until it focused in on a small flock of ducks.

It made several passes and then finally dove on the flock.

I watched this from about 1/4 mile away.

The photos aren't the best but I thought it was an unusual event worth posting.

Several times I started to move to get closer but worried about missing the show even though it was at a distance.

Pileated Woodpecker

Early week road trip to Minneapolis, St. Paul

These photographs were taken in the Grantsburg Wi area. I counted 50+ sandhill's in this field.

NO! Not yet please.

Well it's here. The top two photos were taken in the Drummond WI area. The bottom photo is a snow squall in the Mason WI area.

Minoqua WI area lake. Resident eagles.

A bike along the "West" trail.

The bike trail headed west. This trail follows the old railroad grade. It stretches from Ashland to Superior Wisconsin. Someday I hope to ride the entire trail with a little overnite camping along the way.



I missed most of the summer bike riding time. But views like this along the way help make up for it.

ShutterWi one year old today. Thanks to all!

Some stats. Five hundred thirty nine (539) posts. Ten thousand visits. 1207 photos. One million great memories. Priceless!

Northern Redbelly Snake. Storeria occipitomaculata

This little guy must have read the textbook regarding it's habitat and behavior. See this DNR site. This is one of several I saw today on my bike ride.

Why we live here.

The 5 year old's birthday party.

Big sister (aka the birthday girl) waiting to "catch" her brother at the bottom of the slide.



Her brother demonstrates his unique method of getting to the bottom.



Lining up.


Fall colors.


A watchful eye.


Youthful curiosity.