White-Breasted Nuthatch

Year 7

Finches are unknown and unseen this winter. While I’ve had a few Goldfinch flocks visit my feeders, I do not know of anyone who has seen any Pine Siskins, Pine Grosbeaks or Common Redpolls except up near Grand Marais (some Bohemian Waxwings are also being seen in the municipal campground enjoying mountain ash berries). However, Grand Marais is 104 miles up the shore, and it’s becoming increasingly unlikely that these birds will work their way down Lake Superior’s shoreline this winter.

One bird which I always enjoy and may be found in abundance in my local pine forests are nuthatches. I particularly like the slate colored blue of the White-Breasted Nuthatches. Here are some images I took early this afternoon.

White-Breasted Nuthatch (my favorite pic of the bunch)

Two more images that better show off its plumage

Nuthatches move fast!

On the eyesight front, I had my first treatment this morning. The doctor is confident my treatments will be successful and gain my much of my vision back. However, it will take about seven days before I know the success of failure. In the meantime, wait and hope (and perhaps a Sax-Zim Bog excursion or two thanks to some friends).

Pond Hockey Fireworks

Year 6

Tomorrow is my big day. First eye treatment day! While waiting Molly are covering the Breezy Point Pond Hockey Tournament for the Lake Country Journal. As magazines like to have features that fit the season, our work will not appear till next winter. Pond hockey is a return to a simpler life when kids played pickup games in the afternoon on outdoor rinks. Everything was not organized and play was not supervised by adults. I am describing my own childhood of the 1960’s.

Here are just a couple images of Pond Hockey. The games actually were moved to a local outdoor rink as the ice on Gull Lake was slushy. I will be returning to this area in five weeks for another pond hockey event … should be better ice, ponds, and photographs.

Pond Hockey (Notice how the goal pockets are very small … no slap shots, body checking or goalies)

(Video Link … Pond Hockey!)

Thankfully the fireworks were not hampered by the poor ice conditions. However, the lake is still devoid of vehicles … the ice is not thick enough for trucks.

Fireworks Over Gull Lake

Top Raptors of 2019

Year 6

It is common to look back over a just completed year and reflect upon accomplishments. Readers of this blog should know by now I love raptors. Their majesty screams out upon finding them in the wild. I hope you enjoy this trip down memory lane. Hopefully I will be able to continue to spend quality time in the wilderness during 2020 and share these experiences with all of you. My first treatment for my vision disorder is early Monday morning, the 6th. Within seven days of the treatment I should start to understand what the future holds.

American Kestrel: I love this image because photographing Kestrels is so difficult. This species of bird is very shy, but I was able to hike into deep cover and watch this youngster screaming to be fed.

Northern Saw-whet Owl: I like a rare and easy find. This owl migrated through my neighborhood this fall, and a friend let me know of its whereabouts.

Cooper’s Hawk: When birds are in love and defending their territory, we humans often don’t exist. During a hike while on vacation in the Tucson area I found some Cooper’s Hawks having a strong disagreement. For over 15 minutes a screaming battle played out in the trees above me.

Great Horned Owl Family: Two of the five owls from this family that made the woods near my house their home this spring. I watched this family for almost two months. It appears the parents are back for another year!

Great Gray Owl … This juvenile which was practicing its hunting skills this past Fall almost appears to be praying. If you believe in God, please add me to your prayers this weekend. Thank you.

Snowy Owl Under a Crescent Moon: This image is special to me for several reasons. One aspect of my vision disorder, is my vision gets better in low light. After sunset on New Year’s Eve I found this owl on my own (huge thanks to my wife who drove me over to my owling grounds), and then I pulled off a once in a lifetime photograph.