GAIA. American Kestrel

GAIA an American Kestrel. Thanks to Steve Hoecker for showing GAIA at the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center.

Sioux flats highway 13 eagle.

This immature eagle was soaring over the Sioux flats area along highway 13.

The Day of the Raptors. Part 1

The photos of this rough-legged hawk were taken this morning on highway 63 north of Grandview WI in the Bibon swamp. The photos below were taken on the way home from work. I love (most days) the trip to and from Drummond. Many of the photos on this website were taken along the 30 mile stretch of highway 63 between highway 2 and Drummond. Some days it's hard getting to work and for that matter hard getting home. One final note: Additionally I managed to see a Snowy Owl just south of Ashland through binoculars way out of reach of the camera lens. Thanks to Tim O. for pointing it out.

The Day of the Raptors. Part 2

Afternoon trip home along highway 63 just north of Mason WI. The two bottom photos were taken while the eagle circled overhead. It finally perched in a tree out of camera reach. Click on all of the photos for a larger version.

Eagle. U.S. 2 Brule WI

Right time right place thanks to my guide for this trip Joe S. This eagle was very patient while I took this shot. It's not very often you can get close enough to see the pupil in their eye. Click on the photo to see a larger version. In fact click on any photo to see a larger version.

One of six.

This partridge was one of six sitting in a crabapple tree and feeding. This is a good thing. I didn't think there were six in all of Ashland County. And....no Skip I won't give you the GPS coordinates.

Additional color for the day.

Bayfield WI art work.

Sunset? IS this a sunset?

Yes a sunset. It's been nearly three weeks since we have seen the sun in northern Wisconsin.

Copper Peak Ski Flying Hill. Ironwood MI.

This is one serious hunk of hardware! Note the size of the fire tower in the lower left of the bottom photo. This ski jump is the largest in the western hemisphere. Built in 1969 it is 241 feet about the top of a 365 foot hill. It is 1782 feet above sea level. The run is 469 feet long with a 35 degree pitch. No skier has flown from Copper peak since 1994. Supporters hope to get a future meet scheduled on the hill. Until then volunteers maintain the equipment. Copper Peak's web site

The Copper Peak Eagle

Took a road trip to Ironwood MI today. COLDH2O was the tour guide. Came across this eagle feeding on a deer carcass in a posted "no shooting" sand pit. Makes no difference how often I see one of these birds I always have the same reaction. DAMN! that's a BIG bird.