Showing posts with label spring. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spring. Show all posts

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Searching for left overs on Chequamegon Bay.

This Coyote was searching the remaining ice at West End Beach on the west of Ashland Wisconsin. At the time of the photo the Coyote was about 150 yards offshore. It eventually turned and headed northwest toward Barksdale WI.

This Eagle was luckier than the Coyote it scored the remains of a fish just 50 feet from the edge of the Hot Pond. Less than a week ago this area was covered with snow and was occupied by several ice fishermen.

Monday, April 25, 2011

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.

 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.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Wildlife and sanity seem to be returning to my world.



The days are getting longer. The migratory birds are returning and passing through the Chequamegon Bay area. It's great to have "new subjects" to photograph. Some colors are popping out from under the snow. This time last year ice fishing was just about over. All of the landings were inaccessible. This year seems to be on a similar time line.




I was met by this male Cardinal this morning as I was leaving the yard. I had the camera and the 400mm lens.. but did not have a tripod or a monopod. I found the best rest I could and at least managed to get it's wonderful song. I would suggest closing your eyes and just listening.

For those who suffer with motion sickness you might want to hold on and take a dramamine.... just kidding.  Enjoy the song if not the ride.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

First bike ride of 2010.

A little tune up. Check the tire pressures. Add some "shopping baskets" to the the rack. Find the helmets and off we went for the first bike ride of 2010. The 5th street corridor is open and being used. Lots of people out walking and biking on March 17th 2010.

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

There is a theme in the last two posts. Guesses?

Hint: It's not the falls.


Superior Falls Saxon Harbor WI region.
Superior Falls



Lake Superior at Superior Falls. Looking east on the Michigan side of the falls.


Additional hint.




Copperfalls State Park Mellen WI. One of the several falls in this state park.
Copperfalls

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Coyotes.




These Coyotes were photographed at the back edge of an 80 acre field with a 400 mm lens. This field has been one of the best place I know for seeing and photographing wildlife. I've seen and photographed eagles, coyotes, bear, hawks, turkeys, sandhill cranes, harriers and deer to name a few. In fact I've decide to add a new label to use with these photos...hwy118

Bald Eagles and Bald Eagles and .......






My wife and I were treated to a rare sight for us. First and Adult Bald Eagle perched along US 2 in Maple Wisconsin and then as we were leaving we spotted the rare sight of 10+ (we counted 13 at one point) eagles all with a few hundred feet of each other. Unfortunately the gathering was at the back edge of an 80 acre field. These shots were taken with a 400 mm lens. Still a great sight. It's starting to feel like spring is not far off.

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

"Ice cube" in the bay. Cocktails anyone? coldh2o?


10 minutes after I took this photo this "ice cube" broke up and wash to the shore. Notice the white caps in the photo and the "reddish" color of the water. It is common for the bay to turn red from the spring thaw run off of the red clay in this area.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Song Birds at Long Bridge.




Baywatch!


Here we are April 23, 2008 and the ice is still in the bay. At least 2 days late. It's usually out by April 21.


There is some open water which is a welcome site.


Push ice as it's called in these parts.


Push ice is a common sight at this time of the year near Westend beach. As the ice breaks up in the bay it moves in and out depending on the wind direction. If the wind is from the north, northeast it pushes the ice to the south shore of the bay where it piles up.



Tuesday, April 22, 2008

First long bike ride of 2008. Boy did it feel great.



A new section of the bike path has been finished. This new section is in front of the "Round House Well" It's great! With this section completed it leaves only the section in front of the Chequamegon Hotel undone. Hopefully this last section will be completed during the summer construction season. I took these photos with my cellphone camera.



With the new section there is also a new bridge.

This first ride was a slight milestone for me. This past October I had heart surgery. For several months I have looked forward to getting out on my mountain bike yet I worried about how long it would take to be able to manage the 10+ mile rides. Well today it was 11.5 miles along the Ashland City bike path and it felt great. I will have to see how my butt feels tommorrow. Slightly sore I would guess.

Some more Spring highlights.






What a great day in the northwoods. Sunny and warm with a slightly cool breeze from the West. What a difference 11 days make. Eleven days ago we had a major winter storm that closed schools. Today all the snow is gone and it really feels like Spring.

Saturday, April 19, 2008

2008 Sandhill Crane Count.

Today was the annual Sandhill Crane count. My wife and I spent two hours at the same location we watched last year. This years the count was Sandhill Cranes (0)(2007 was 2), Turkeys (3), Deer (6), Sea Gulls (10+), Crows (6). The local land owner did stop by and report that he had seen five Sandhills in the field two days earlier.



Three turkeys and whitetail deer.


Turkeys on the march.


Turkeys.


Turkey tracks.


Five deer at the back of the "watch" field.