A Shot of Pelican Lake



Loon on Pelican Lake

Spent the weekend out on Pelican Lake, aboard a sailboat we bought for a song. Saw loads of wildlife including a congregation of six loons, several cormorants, what appeared to be a merganser, great blue and green heron.

Sailing has to be one of the most rewarding (and economical, and eco-friendly) modes of transportation; you only use your motor to tool around in harbors, and easily 80% of your time is spent utilizing one of the most renewable resources the planet has.

Bluebirds gone from the nest; so far we've put at least four back into the ecosystem this year. No sign of Monarch yet. Glade Mallow is almost out, while the Wild Bergamot is just starting to pop.

Cold this week with highs occasionaly only broaching the upper 60's; they say the coldest comparable week on record.

Our hundredth post arrived amidst a dusting of snow, high winds, and temps hovering in the teens. Snow is supposed to be moving in sometime tonight, with an alleged four inches by Wednesday afternoon.

Heard the cackle of a Pileated Woodpecker this morning, and saw a small flock of Blue Jays picking their way through the cherry trees along the road.

Wildlife Spotted this Week:

• Black-capped Chickadee
• Blue Jay
• Eastern Chipmunk
• Goldfinch
• Green Frog (Hibernating)
• Grey Squirrel
• Northern Cardinal
• Nuthatch
• Pileated Woodpecker
  
  A few shots from our Thanksgiving trip up to Nisswa, MN.

MN-95, NE of North Branch.


Lake Edna, Nov 23rd.

Overcast with sporadic drizzle; temps holding in the upper 60's. Goldfinch seem more active than usual, crowding the thistle feeder and bathing in the pond and waterlogged annuals pots.

Some photos from the weekend:




Fish in Pond Garden


Gull Lake


Round Lake


Pierz, MN


Pierz, MN



"Woolly Bear" Caterpillar


Wildlife Spotted in Garden this Week:

• American Toad
• Black-capped Chickadee
• Blue Jay
• Cedar Waxwing
• Eastern Chipmunk
• Goldfinch
• Green Frog
• Grey Squirrel
• Northern Cardinal
• Nuthatch
• Pileated Woodpecker
• Red-bellied Woodpecker
• Robin

Natives Blooming in Garden:

• Black-eyed Susan
• Daisy Fleabane
• Frost Aster
• Harebell
• Purple Coneflower
• Showy Goldenrod

Fall Color -- Forest Lake Area:

• American Elm
• Boxelder
• Cottonwood
• Paper Birch
• Quaking Aspen
• Smooth Sumac
• Sugar Maple