Brown Trout and small Northern Pike

Northern Cardinal

This male Cardinal was very unhappy about me being out in the yard. I believe it was mad because I got between it and the bird feeder. I've heard this sharp short chirp before. Usually in the summer when we are in the yard around the grapevine. Again between it and the food. This video was shot with a DroidX Smartphone.

Downy Woodpecker vs Hairy Woodpecker

Downy is smaller in size with a smaller beak. Hairy is larger and has a "tuft" of hair just in front of the eyes. It really helps to see them together for an easier comparison.

Smelt fry ahead. "Film to follow...."

Well at least the smelt were biting. Checkout the 10" smelt. The first time I saw it under the ice I thought it was a coho. 

Checkout the teeth. Imagine if this were a 5 lb. game fish.

Activity at the bird feeder.

Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center Sleigh & Cutter Rally

First driving trip for 2011 onto the bay.

Six of us fished. The day started with the usual early season problems. A little water in the auger fuel lines didn't help the start of the day for me. A jammed starter cord on the second auger compounded the problems. No auger...no holes...no holes...no fish...no fish...no fun.  Cloudy, windy and blowing snow at the start of the day was quickly replaced with bright sunlight and calming winds. We all caught fish and ended up having a great day. 

New feeder option. New visitors.

We just added a suet station to our backyard kitchen window feeder. It went untouched for about 7 days. I'm not sure if it was out of fear, or the suet was to new or what. But at some point the birds started to visit it. For the last few days the Grackles and at least one Hairy Woodpecker have been regular visitors.

Hairy Woodpecker

The tale of the Carmel Coated Chickadee. With lessons learned.

Starting with these lessons. 

(1) Be careful what you put in your feeders. 

(2) Not all "foods" are bird foods. 

(3) Sticky is very sticky if you have feathers. 

(4) Chickadees don't like sponge baths. 

(5) Chickadees have sharp pointed beaks. 

(6) Chickadees are not passive cute little song birds when getting a sponge bath. 

(7) Chickadee beaks will draw blood when wielded by a mad Chickadee,

(8) You won't be hearing "Chick..a..dee..dee..dee" when they are getting a bath.

(9)Band-Aids should be applied after drying your hands.

(10) For expert advise look here, here and here.