Posts from the ‘Nature’ category

Two walks

A bleak day… but as always, some beauty to be found. From this morning’s walk at the state park on Flathead Lake:

Below are from an afternoon walk at “home”. I believe Karl would title the first: “My mama dresses me funny”.

It is deer (gun) season. And although the land we walk is private and posted “No Hunting”, it is adjacent to 40 acres of state land which is huntable. I choose to be cautious. My personal vanity prohibits showing my own “hunter orange outfit”…I have a “one size fits all” vest made to go over winter jackets. It has been alternately rainy/snowy so I’ve been wearing raingear over fleece. With the gigantic orange vest I look like the great pumpkin in a cowboy hat. I have a felt, waterproof cowboy hat that has ear flaps that fold down for real cold. The thing keeps water off my face AND neck – my ears warm when it is very cold. I’ve had it a number of years so it has a somewhat odd shape at this point… However, vanity aside, I am warm and dry and both Karl and I are visible – which is the point.

to see what we could see

We had to get a bit more creative with our walk location yesterday. The neighbors on our “scenic” route were briefly in residence. It is deer season so I prefer to avoid the adjacent state land. We could have gone to the state park but the sky had cleared between forecast storm fronts and I thought it might be a good day to get what might be the last look at fall color on a sunny day. We went over the hill (my road) which drops down to Echo Lake, a small lake that is beautiful, although a bit crowded and noisy during the summer. This day, though, it was quiet and peaceful. When we arrived there was not even a breeze ruffling the water…

We took the “long way” home and passed by a favorite view of the Swan River…

and the Swan Range with a bit of powdery snow on some of the peaks…

It was an idyllic hour break – I had reached a good point to stop working, the sun was out and we went. Shortly after we returned, things clouded over and the afternoon was gray. All afternoon as I worked I kept thinking how glad I was that we went when we did.

Another bonus last evening – the sky cleared again and the waxing moon lit the old garden area enough for Karl and I to play a bit of soccer by the “light of the silvery moon” …and when we were done, it stayed around long enough for me to take its picture.

Ornithology 101

Alrighty then!! I have heard from some readers, done a lot of googling and I believe that both the bird in On Eagle’s Wings and in yesterday’s not a ornithologist are actually immature bald eagles! – yes!!! – Eagles! Nothing against the Osprey who is a gorgeous raptor also, but there is a certain mystique about seeing eagles and the post title and theme: On Eagles Wings – really needed an eagle photo – and I had seen the bird that day! Bald eagles are fairly common here but not where I grew up in northwest Ohio – it always thrills me to see them….

To check for yourself, here is a great link:

From Heidi Rettig (her blog is Two Kitties ) Immature Bald Eagle . Heidi lives on Flathead Lake, within 20 or so miles of me. We just “met” via Pioneer Woman’s blog – and she is also from the midwest – Minnesota…or at least lived there – funny, small world sometimes.

Ok, back to birds….I found an article that talks about how often people mistake immature bald eagles for golden eagles. …AND the kicker is that my mother got out HER bird book and emailed me – immature bald eagle is her call!

My Mama says so – so…

from yesterday’s “not an ornithologist” (photo taken in Wayfarer’s Park 10/28/2008)

and

from July’s “On Eagle’s Wings” (photo taken June 30, 2008 Wayfarer’s Park)…

Young (immature) bald eagles.

Not an ornithologist…

In early July, I wrote a very dramatic post titled “On Eagles Wings” – it even has its own page. I identified a beautiful bird as a Golden Eagle. I had been leaning towards Osprey because of the white, but the head…had my bird book out and everything. And seeing the bird, identifying it as an eagle – it helped me formulate what I wanted to say…

This morning, I started the work day very early so as to be able to take some time mid-morning for an errand run and a walk with Karl in the State Park by Flathead Lake. It was a gorgeous day – warming up into the 50’s.

No ice on the roads yet…

We dawdled and enjoyed the sunshine, the smells (Karl) and the views. As we approached the summit of the walk where the trail has views out to the lake, we saw a large bird on a dead tree.

I think it is an Osprey…a couple who came up while I was taking photos said it was an Osprey…and if it is, so is the bird I identified as a “Golden Eagle” in my post “On Eagle’s Wings”. Oh, well – he or she is beautiful and I feel fortunate to have had a close look at such a magnificent bird. I think I will quit identifying birds and just show the photos – I am 0 for 4 on bird id’s on this blog…

***See October 29th correction to an Immature Bald Eagle.

EXTRA! EXTRA! …read all about it!

In July ( Opportunity aka Taking a Chance ), I wrote about 13 year old Owen Ford’s site H.O.P.E.S. which is dedicated to raising money for the World Wildlife Fund. H.O.P.E.S. stands for Helping Our Planet’s Endangered Species.

Shortly after the start, with the site on a roll and meeting 3 mini-goals of $500 on it’s way to the main goal of $4000, some glitches with non-profit, PayPal, WWF and ??? forced a pause in the action. But Owen, with the help of her Mom and friends perservered and all is now well. The re-Grand Opening is TODAY! Owen, her mother and friends are making items that are being auctioned on eBay – animal themed items like the gorgeous tiger themed bookmark that is starting things off today. Direct donations are acceptable also.

I hope you will visit the site and leave a comment of encouragement and support for Owen. And if you are moved to bid on an item or give a donation – that would be wonderful also.

Karl and Bob support the World Wildlife Fund and they hope you might like to do that also. Go Owen! H.O.P.E.S. – just a click away!