Category Archives: Year 7

Corona Virus Clips!

Background, Year 7

Occasionally during this health crisis I will add light hearted posts about dealing with the everyday chores of life. This is one of those posts … the #CoronaVirusClip

I will admit I was not quick on the pick up in terms of buying toilet paper, but I was all over the rush to purchase a home hair cutting kit! On Amazon the kit I ordered is now out of stock till late April. Both my youngest grandchild (Michael … age 2) and I had our first home hair cuts last week.  Neither of us were happy during the experience! Thus, I present you the Corona Virus Clips.

Michael (and his Mom, my daughter) during his haircut … not happy!

The little guy a bit later on … happy!

Giving myself my first ever “selfie cut” a few days ago … not happy!

One year ago while bike touring in Texas … happy!

Keep faith, friends. We have to laugh to prevent crying.  Staying in touch with family and friends is critical during this crisis.  Like the rest of you , visiting my children and grandchildren is not allowed. Molly and I have learned to live by our virtual tools:

  • Virtual Happy Hours via Zoom
  • Family charades / games nights via Skype
  • An ongoing family group text
  • And much more …

Spring Color & Song: Eastern Meadowlark

Year 7,

It may be April Fool’s Day, but I saw my first Meadowlark of the season … no fooling! I know from experience that Spring comes much earlier along the south shore of Lake Superior. In fact the grasslands near Cloverland have warmer temperatures almost three weeks on average (according to me) before my northeastern Boreal forest. The absolute distance between the two habitats is small, but almost all winds which blow across the big lake keep the boreal forest much cooler. Ice out for the ponds and lakes near my house is still a long time off. However, only 20 miles away the world is waking up.

I found this Eastern Meadowlark advertising its presence this morning. In addition I saw Red-Winged Blackbirds and heard a Killdeer. The number of birds that have arrived back in the Northland is still small, and only a fraction so far of these three kinds of birds, but how nice it was to see this color and hear their song!

Meanwhile back at the ranch … the Great Horned Owl chicks were sound asleep just before noon, and the Red-Bellied Woodpecker just would not come out completely from behind its favorite drumming tree.

New Life in the Northland!

Year 7,

I was lazy this morning. Rather than getting up to Sax-Zim Bog at sunrise (about 6:50 am), I did not even leave home till 7:10.  I decided today would NOT be a morning to hang out with Great Gray Owls (shortly after sunrise these birds call it quits till near sundown). Instead I was hoping some Spring weather patterns might bring early migrants.

While I was somewhat successful, the number of birds in the Bog was small. I finally found this pair of Trumpeter Swans at the only open water present, and that was not much (about 30 x 100 yards at an outlet to a lake). When another flocked of swans flew overhead these two birds made it obvious more swans was not a desirable outcome. This was their territory.

Upon getting home I took my daily hike over to my Great Horned Owl family. It is amazing to see how fast the owlettes are growing. This youngster posed for me with Mom. No problem maintain my social distance. I was by myself the entire time.