Fall seems to be closing in. Woke up to much cooler temperatures. 43℉. Evidence of a hard frost. Time to put up food.

Well the good news is we did get an Apple crop. The bad news is the apples were not the best of quality. There was a fair amount of insect / disease / cold weather damage. These five apple were better than most.

Picked and ready to process.

Last batch waiting to be processed later this week.

This is our food dehydrator. It does a great job dehydrating fruits and vegetables.  Notice that it has 10 stackable trays.

Here is one of the stackable trays with apple slices dehydrating.

Apple chips nearly ready for storage.

This will be the next crop we will pick and process. Maybe later this week or the beginning of next week.

This is what a nice bunch of grapes looks like. Although they all tend to start out this way many  unfortunately don't end up looking like this.  Between the birds, squirrels, and raccoons we loose a lot of the best fruit to the wildlife.  

Some get away with it.

SOME DO NOT and GET A TRIP TO THE COUNTRY

This guy is waiting for transportation. Heading out to "the summer home" to spend time with the first two that took the trip earlier in the week. Three trapped this year 4 trapped last year.

This how I found him early in the morning. Just lounging around waiting for someone to show up. Although they might look cute and friendly they are NOT.

This guy just charged me as I approached. Snarling, growling and baring his teeth. NOT friendly NOT friendly at all.

Spotted Tussock Moth Caterpillar

Spotted Tussock Moth Caterpillar

For additional information visit here and here.

Cora. Soccer, Camping, Caterpillar and Grampa Dan

Cora with Grampa Dan

Soccer training with Grampa Dan.

Campground wildlife.

Wow...wow!

Camping near Two Harbors MN.

Moquah Barrens Sharp-tailed Grouse Viewing Opportunities - 2012

I just received and email from Brian Heeringa, Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Biological Science Technician reminding the outdoor wildlife lovers that the Sharp-tailed Grouse viewing blind will soon be available for viewing the Moquah Barrens Lek

Brian Heeringa's email points out - "The blind will be set up near a lek (a lek is a gathering of males, of certain animal species, for the purposes of competitive mating display) and will be opened to the public from April 14 thru May 5, 2012."

For additional information or to signup to use the blind visit the Washburn Ranger District of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in Washburn Wisconsin or call 715-373-2667

The following video and photos were shot last year on May 5th.

It is spring and the local bird watchers are out and about. We are lucky here in northern Wisconsin to have a population of Sharp-tailed Grouse in the Moquah Barrens that are monitored by Washburn Ranger District of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. They maintain a blind that they invite wildlife lovers to use to observe spring Sharp-tailed Grouse mating behavior.

Look close. Nesting behavior.

Guess what bird?

It's _______ egg blue.

Guess what bird?

It's the "love" Dove.

Sharp-Tailed Grouse. Bayfield County WI.

Sharp-Tailed Grouse

Sharp-Tailed Grouse                                                         Ruffed Grouse

Comparison Sharp-Tailed vs. Ruffed Grouse

This video was shot earlier today from a blind setup by the U.S. Forest Service, Washburn WI office. 

Thank You to all for the opportunity to see this great wildlife display.  For additional information about Sharp-Tailed Grouse courting rituals visit this website.

Sharp-Tailed Grouse

Sharp-Tailed Grouse

Sharp-Tailed Grouse

Sharp-Tailed Grouse

Sharp-Tailed Grouse

Sharp-Tailed Grouse

This photo is notable as it was the first photo I took at about 5:40 A.M. today.

When we received the basic guide for viewing the Sharp-Tailed Grouse from the blind in the Moquah Barrens,  Bayfield County WI. The guide suggested early arrival before sunrise... which we did.

I would suggest really early arrival. We had barely got settled in the blind (zipper shut) when the display started.

It was quite the sight and sound in the blind. With little or no light we fumbled around like a couple of beginners with a new camera we had never used before. I would have like to have been a little bird sitting in a tree watching and listening to the ruckus in the black cube sitting at the open site. 

After switching several camera settings and locating the grouse mostly by sound... a point and shoot.

The  photo above is the photo I got.... well maybe not exactly... actually it was more like the one below.
It was the one below.  Look at the red "beady eyes" which were staring back.

PHOTOSHOP it's a wonderful thing.
Suggestions for future visits ... arrive at the blind really really early and be ready.
Thanks to the U.S. Forest Service, Washburn, WI office for providing this great opportunity.

Wildlife photography day. Hawks, Grouse and Elk.

More photos, video and IDs coming soon.

Clam Lake Wisconsin Route 77 

Clam Lake Wisconsin Route 77. With small mouse or vole. 

Clam Lake Wisconsin Route 77

Clam Lake Wisconsin Route 77

Clam Lake Wisconsin Route 77

Clam Lake Wisconsin Route 77

Clam Lake Wisconsin Route 77

Clam Lake Wisconsin Route 77

Clam Lake Wisconsin Route 77

Grouse along Old Grade Road Atkins Lake

Old Grade Road Atkins Lake

Bibon Swamp 

Bibon Swamp

Bibon Swamp

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

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.

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.