Grassland Shorebirds

Year 10

Sounds like a naming conflict, but not! On this last day of Spring I drove over to the Wisconsin Grasslands (quite different habitat from the Boreal Forest near my home). I enjoyed seeing the bug eating grassland birds which are normally the last to arrive in the Northland, and the first to leave. While most shorebirds hang out near bodies of water, a smaller number of species call the grasslands their home. The Upland Sandpiper and Killdeer are two such birds. Unfortunately as grasslands have disappeared across North America, the Upland Sandpiper is becoming more rare.

Thus, I was thrilled this morning when not one, but two sandpipers perched on fence posts only ten yards from my car (see map for location … must be a nesting pair). In addition, there were lots of Killdeer at the Cloverland Town Hall area. In fact, driving any back road slowly in this region will yield fun finds. I saw Indigo Buntings, Eastern Meadowlarks, Bobolinks and many, many more species. Take Wisconsin Hwy 13 towards Bayfield, which is the first exit after you leave Superior on US Hwy 53/2.

 

Killdeer at Cloverland Town Hall

Upland Sandpiper

TakeOff and Flight (I thought I had perhaps spooked the bird, but it actually flew over to within ten yards of me, and then its mate flew up from the grass and landed on the next nearest fencepost. Some years I am lucky to see even one of these birds, and today I had the happy couple within ten yards!)

E is for Encyclopedia, L is for Lupine!

Background, Year 10

Yes, E is for Encyclopedia and L is for Lupine! With that preamble, I will now show my archaic interests and announce I just purchased a set of encyclopedias. This in turn leads to the question in this era of the internet and Wikipedia, why would one ever spend money for an encyclopedia?  My answer is … because!

Okay, perhaps I should give a more involved answer. While growing up and into my adulthood I often liked to pull an encyclopedia volume off the shelf, perhaps “B”, or “R”, and read/browse that particular book. Normally I just opened the book to a random page and started reading.  When my Dad died eight years ago, and we sold my childhood home, I lost that option. After all, at the time who wanted (including me??) a 1960 copy of the World Book Encyclopedia?

I was mistaken in allowing the encyclopedia to be deep sixed. Although one may read Wikipedia in “random mode“, this capability is just not the same or particularly relaxing. In fact, Wikipedia describes their random mode in this manner: “The Special:Random page is a link which will automatically (and randomly) take you to any article on Wikipedia. It is useful for random page patrollers, curious readers and bored people (my italics and bolding). I like to think of myself as curious person, but not bored!  LOL.

Earlier this week while reading “H”, quite by accident I learned about Hannibal’s father, Hamilcar Barca. Apparently both father and son Carthaginian generals had a name beginning with “H”. I certainly knew about Hannibal, but definitely not his Dad. You might ask what difference it makes? The obvious answer is not much, but I enjoy learning about the world!

I did use a bit of restraint with my purchase. Molly and I have a rule that any extra money we make through writing or photography may be spent as that individual desires … no questions asked. In my case, recently I have written a a few articles for some regional magazines. Thus, I had money burning a hole in my pocket (not much … writing does not pay very well). Anyhow, as the 2023 edition of World Book Encyclopedia is about to be released (price will be over $1,000), I was able to purchase the 2021 edition for only $350 … such a deal! Apparently World Book is the only encyclopedia still in print … sorry Encyclopedia Britannica lovers.

Yup … E is for Encyclopedia and L is for Lupine!

Which leads me to one of today’s photographs … Lupines in our yard. The vantage point is about 15 yards from our dining area. If the opportunity arise, drive some Northeastern Minnesota back roads right now. The lupines are drop dead gorgeous.

Oh yes … I did find the owl family yesterday. They have moved away from the nest area and my home. It took a decent hike to find the owls, both hiking on and off trail, but here is Momma Great Horned Owl on the hunt.

Separated at 1 Month … Reunited at 2 Months: Owlets!

Year 10,

Reunited!

For over two weeks FuzzBall, the Great Horned Owlet, used the owl platform I built for the little guy after it fell out of its own nest. The real nest was way up high in the same White Pine, but not safely reachable. FuzzBall’s parent owls accepted my new platform and fed the bird nightly.

When FuzzBall took a walkabout one day, I thought it had met its demise to a local fox. There was an explosion of feathers where I had seen the owlet just 20 minutes earlier. However, one week ago while hiking the woods near my house I discovered that FuzzBall was very much alive and branching. It must have been living down in Amity Creek Ravine. Four days ago FuzzBall flew for the first time.

I wondered whether the two owlets after being separated for one month would start perching together. This morning answered that question!

Yesterday Evening at Sunset

  • Mom Guards
  • Mom gets bombed by a crow
  • The Owlets … near but not together

This Morning … Reunited!

And more images from this morning. I was exploring some Bog Habitat not to far from my home (not Sax-Zim Bog)

Artichoke River (with a touch of ground fog)

Great Horned Owl at an Abandoned Farm