Purple Power!

Year 7

Although a winter storm is in the works for tomorrow, some Purple Finches have arrived back in the Northland. It’s fantastic to hear the finches singing from the treetops outside my home. This individual has started visiting my feeders.

I hope everyone is staying healthy and safe. I said my first wilderness prayers yesterday, and am continuing them daily (request a prayer). In addition I am trying to come up with other ideas for this extended period when most of us will be homebound. Obviously, get out into the woods and enjoy nature. It is very easy to maintain a six foot distance when outdoors. We are already scheduling hikes with other couples. We meet up with another duo and walk.

One idea I am toying with is some more online seminars … I am thinking about a basic photograph editing session demonstrating my techniques using Photoshop Elements.

Stay sane! Your ideas for how to keep this community engaged are welcome and encouraged.

Wilderness Prayers

Year 7

I believe in the power of prayer. When I lost my vision, many, many of you reached out to me during my time of need … often telling me I would be remembered in your prayers. I want to help all of you. Starting today I promise to take a daily hike out into the forest near my home and pray for any and all of you. Use the “Contact Rich” form found via “Contact / About Rich” page linked in the menubar at the top of this page to send me your prayer request. Your request is private via my form. The prayer will be repeated daily until we suceessfully weather the Coronavirus … no need to resubmit.

This Northern Saw-Whet Owl which I saw about one month ago seemed to be praying.

Birding … A Great Social Distancer!

Year 7

Not to make light of the problems of the present Coronavirus crisis, but outdoor activities are a fantastic way to take a breather from the constant news cycle. When one walks in the woods under a warm sun, the problems of the world are a bit further removed.

I practice what I preach. Molly and I are down in the Twin Cities for a few days. We were supposed to be attending the first Nordic Skiing World Cup event to be held in America in years. However, not to surprisingly the ski race was cancelled. Rather than mope about this situation, I decided I needed to enjoy a climate which is much warmer than northern Minnesota. Spring tends to arrived in the Minneapolis area three weeks prior to northeastern Minnesota. I know from past experience, if I can find bits and pieces of open water when most streams and lakes are still ice covered, birding can be fantastic. Ducks will often let you stand closer than normal. Waterfowl want to lay dibs on preferred habitat, and other areas of open water are often far away. Thus, the duck which would normally fly when you get within 100 yards, will let you stand only 15 yards distant.

I found 100 yards of open water in a suburban stream. In addition to the ever present mallards, I watched a pair of Hooded Mergansers with love on their mind! One side note, raptors will often hunt these small stretches of water. Ducks in love are easy prey. Thus, keep your eyes also scanning the branches and trees above.

Early Season Hooded Mergansers