Mayflower or trailing arbutus (Epigaea repens).

This is a new early spring flower to me.  I photographed it eariler today on the sandy shore of a small Bayfield County WI lake. The plant was in a zone higher than the probable historical high watermark. It was on the edge of a pine and scrub oak forest line. Growing in sandy soil.

More information here.

 Mrs. Shutterwi without hesitation IDed it as Mayflower or trailing arbutus, Epigaea repens.  She has memories of her mom searching it out on the Cape Cod shoreline in early spring.

If anyone can confirm the ID or has an alternative ID please leave a comment.

Easter offerings. A case of right place right moment in time.

As I was standing along the roadside photographing the nesting Bald Eagle. Mrs. Shutterwi spotted a large bird approaching from the west.  This was one of those right place at the right moments.  

Imagine this your watching a nesting eagle on a north - south road when at that very moment an west - east in flight sandhill crane pass directly overhead. Several hundred feet above. And.... your holding your camera with a 100-400 mm zoom lens.

Two bonus offerings below. 

The first one is a great opportunity to watch two adult bald eagles nesting and raising three eaglets. 

Happy Easter 

Outdoor West African Drumming performance at Northland College's fire ring.

This video (above) is the full performance.

For shorter individual pieces see the videos below.

Northland College West African Drumming Class. Last class day performance. Performance took place in the campus outdoor fire ring and was enjoyed by family and friends.

Smelting 2011. Chequamegon Bay spring tradition.

The yearly early spring smelting season is on. For a few days each spring hopefully after "ice out" the smelt run will be on. Smelters flock to the Chequamegon Bay shoreline from all over the midwest. Smelting season may last for a few days or if we are lucky over two weekends. On a successful night smelters can "pull" hundreds of pound of the little guys. Service organizations, church groups and families take the opportunity to have "Smelt Fries". Some to raise money some as part of a yearly tradition.

When you can't watch the birds watch the birdwatcher.

This is what retirement looks like. I've been told this guy has some experience in this area. Notice his "subject" in the lower right corner of the photo. Ross's Goose.

Getting setup. Notice his "subject" in the lower center of the photo. Ross's Goose.

Getting the photo.

Heading back to the car. And down the bay.
How was your day Matt?

The annual first sign of spring. The Croci not the snow.

Imagine this in it's hay days.

Ross's Goose

Ross's Goose on west end beach. This is a good time for me to pass on thanks to the "pro" bird watchers in our community. It is a dedicated group of folks who spend time nearly everyday watching and spotting birds. Now here is a tip to all of my loyal readers.  Follow this link and join the local bird watchers group. You will get daily emails (if you choose) telling you what birds are in our area.  These photos of the Ross's Goose are possible because of todays emails from the ashlandbirders@yahoogroups.com

Sandhill Cranes. Grandview Wisconsin

This is the long version of the video. The short version is below.

Ice out on Chequamegon Bay 2011 edition.

For the most part today was "ice out day" on Chequamegon Bay. Some years the right wind will completely clear the bay. This year although the majority of the bay is clear and open the southern shores of the bay have "cocktail" ice floating along the shore.

This video is a little longer than usual but give us a break... after 5 months of ice it is nice to see open water. Real nice to see open water. So sit back and enjoy. The last couple of minutes of this video are here by special request. For one of my loyal reader. Enjoy the sounds. Enjoy the thoughts.

Hail. A somewhat rare weather occurrence in Ashland.

 We had a quick weather front pass through Ashland yesterday. For less than five minutes we had a hail shower.

Adult female Northern Harrier. Thanks to Ryan Brady's ID

 Thanks to Ryan Brady for IDing this Northern Harrier.

These photo were taken on WI Hwy 63 south of Clayton WI.  They were taken yesterday on a quick trip down to the Twin Cities. Saturday night we slept in our Little Guy camper. First trip out this year.  Thanks to Joe and Barb for "hosting" our overnight stay. Saturday night we had some thunderstorms pass through. Lots of lightening, thunder and rain. What followed was warm temperatures. 

On our trip back this morning we rode with windows open from River Falls to just south of Grand View. Temps drop from mid sixties to mid forties in about a five mile stretch. Fog from 118 and 63 intersection to Ashland.

First camping trip 2011

We took a quick overnight camping trip to the Twin Cities. Saturday night we slept in our Little Guy camper. First trip out this year. Thanks to Joe and Barb for "hosting" our overnight stay in River Falls WI. Saturday night we had some thunderstorms pass through. Lots of lightening, thunder and rain. What followed was warm temperatures. 

On our trip back this morning we rode with windows open from River Falls to just south of Grand View. Temps drop from mid sixties to mid forties in about a five mile stretch. Fog from 118 and 63 intersection to Ashland.

Packed and ready.

Animal Farm's  "Old Major" heading  home to the Twin Cities.

Eastern Meadowlark.

This and one other Meadowlark were spotted in an open field on Colby Rd and Franzel Rd. West of Ashland.

Somedays the best bird watching is in the backyard.

First Robin for 2011.  One-half a block away.

First Kestrel for 2011.  55 miles away Popular WI.