Snowy Owl Ready for Take-Off

Year 6

A good pilot always checks the wind speed and direction before take-off!
(photograph taken just before sunset this evening).

In addition, some very news from my eye doctor appointment today …

The prospect of going blind is very scary, and for the past few months I have been dealing with that strong possibility. When outside I was more often than not essentially blind. This morning I saw one of the top eye doctors in Minnesota, and discovered I have a rare neurological / eye disorder where my eyes are not communicating properly with my brain. Better yet, a treatment exists which should stop this nerve communication problem from occurring (not cure). My doctor is confident my treatment will return me to a normal life. Thus, Molly and I are cautiously optimistic that the new year will be very good. The treatment involves deadening certain nerves with Botox (essentially snake venom). Medicine is amazing. Learn more if interested … Blepharospasm.

It was a celebration today for me to find and photograph this Snowy Owl. I am already on new medication which is only manufactured at one location in Minnesota. Thank you for everyone’s kind words and prayers. Please keep me in your thoughts this Christmas season, but the trend is positive for the first time a long while. Happy Holidays.

The real treatment with the Botox does not start till next month. Thus, we have hope but it’s still a waiting game.

Bird Blindness

Year 6

Bird Blindness.

Posts will be a bit more infrequent over the weeks and months ahead. My vision continues to be a challenge, and I am working through many doctor’s appointments and tests of various eyeware. Tis a challenge, and I have good days and bad. On the good days I am out with my camera …

Thankfully I have a fantastic core group of family and friends who are helping me through this trying time. Many of these individuals are medical professionals. Just tonight my youngest son BBQ’d my favorite steak, and prepared accompanying great food. I am truly blessed.

Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays.

Snow Birds … Red and Gray!

Year 6,

As noted we had another winter storm earlier this week dumping eight additional inches of snow on the Northland. With over 3 feet of snow on the ground, birds have started using bird feeders in a BIG way. Find some bird feeders, and you will find lots of birds. I photographed these snow birds during two different excursions this week.

One interesting side note is a few years ago you would never have found cardinals in the Duluth area. These were not a bird of the Boreal forest. Cardinals have been expanding their range northward, and I now have friends 1/2 the way to Two Harbors from Duluth along the shore who have these red birds in their yard.

Northern Cardinal near my own feeders (during the snow storm)

Gray Jay near the Admiral Road feeders in Sax-Zim Bog (as a fyi … Boreal Chickadees have also been seen eating peanut butter at this remote feeder in the middle of the woods)