Trout hunting in Fennimore

Drove 3.5 hrs up to Fennimore, WI at 3am so we'd have a full Saturday there. I think I'd prefer to be well-rested next time :\ Saw some birds, not a ton. Had a staring contest with a woodchuck (groundhog). Trout were caught, but not by me. I'd rather see critters and take pics :)




The Cedar Waxwings were loving this cloud of midge flies? above them. You can't tell from the picture, but they are truly stunning birds. Check out the face mask... They are summer and winter residents, although may migrate if berries are less abundant.





You have to sneak up on the trout...




Wasp or fly larvae living inside galls..

BWCA - Northern Minnesota

There were no motor boats allowed where were paddling to. They dropped us off along the edge of this Wilderness Preserve.

Loons, the most captivating sound of the North Woods. Listen to the "pair wail".




Northern Pike, had him for dinner.




Blueberries were in season :D


Mystery scat:

Somebody who eats ants wuz here:

Ecology Club Camping Trip - Viroqua, WI

Orchard Oriole


Baltimore Oriole

Rose-breasted Grosbeak


Eastern Bluebird

Palos Woodpecker Workshop

Sean had unwavering confidence (arrogance?) about his birdability today. And I have to say it was justified. Took me to where he knew there were Red-headed Woodpeckers nesting...

He spotted Sandhill cranes whilst there.

Then he asked if I'd like him to show me a Pileated Woodpecker. First time ever - watched a nesting pair for a good half hour. Saw them drumming, MATING, nest excavating, eating, and flying from tree to tree.

North Park Nature Center

Common Ones:
Robins, RW Blackbirds, Grackles, Cardinals, Mallards, Geese

1st Sighting Ever!
Kentucky Warbler (very rare here I guess), Blue-winged Teal, Rough-winged Swallow, White-crowned Sparrow

Warblers:
Yellow, Yellow-rumped, Palm

Others:
Chipping Sparrow, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, White-breasted nuthatch, Blue-gray gnatcatcher, Baltimore Oriole, House finches, Tree swallow, Red-bellied woodpeckers, Great Blue Heron, Wood duck, Sharp-shinned hawk, juvie Red-tailed hawk

Plants:
Lots of Ohio Buckeye leafing out and blooming, maple blooms, box elder blooms.

Eagle Cam 2011 Tragedy

Yesterday the eagle mom got hit by an incoming airplane in Norfolk, Virginia. I've been watching these sweeties since they hatched about a month ago.

Palos Squirrels

This one's for Juji...

Still no Pileated Woodpecker :( But got some shots of a mama squirrel relocating her little one! In Illinois we have Grey Squirrels and Fox Squirrels - here's how to tell the difference. A birder passer-by told me that the "drink-your-tea" songs were male Eastern Towhees.