Up North

If you're visiting Duluth and are looking for an easy trail that's just as pretty as its brethrens up north, then the Chester Creek trail is for you. Plus, it starts across the street from Burrito Union. You can't beat that. 

Alice would like the mushrooms here. 

Even cats like it.

This sparrow is thinking, "If only I was eating rice at Chipotle. Those were happy days. Woe is me."

Hawk Ridge was counting migrating birds and doing a release party of Hawks and Kestrels. At least those were the birds on the menu that day. 

"You talk'in to me?"

"Caw. That's the spot. Caw. Now I eat your fingers."

Duluth's Rose Garden in Leif Erikson Park.

And of course stacked rocks. I heart Duluth.

Do you want to take a bizarre nocturnal pilgrimage with me? Then head over to www.thechorusofthecrows.blogspot.com

Saturday's Critters

Bird d'Pot

Wild Bird Wednesday

My World Wednesday

Image-in-ing

Red Tailed Hawk

We were leaving the Richfield Farmer's Market this summer when we spotted this hawk. He really found a regal and lofty post to hunt from.

This little bird was sitting on a near by branch. Do you know what he is?

An itch or a scratch.

There's only room for one foot hold at a time.

What an intense and beautiful raptor.

P.S. Be sure to head over to my new writing link. The Chorus of the Crows You can follow my path to publication from the very beginning. And if you are a writer (and many bloggers would consider themselves as such) or know of an aspiring or seasoned writer, please share this new link. I'm hoping to highlight guest writers that might have some good tips to share about their own journey. 

Saturday's Critters

Bird d'Pot

Wild Bird Wednesday

My World Wednesday

Image-in-ing

The Raptor Report

The teaching birds. Who will get released this year?

We saw these amazing Raptors during the Release at Carpenter Nature Center last Fall. It was exactly a year ago today. Because they are having another one later this afternoon! My favorite photo is the Kestrel.  He looks so curious with his head cocked.  Just like he is thinking, "Me so pretty!"  He'd be right. 

But my favorite bird is the owl.  Just look at those eyes. Here's a newspaper clipping with some raptor facts.  I thought it might be of interest to my birding friends.

click to enlarge

The Stone Barn www.nelsonstonebarn.com

So where were we really going to when we stopped at the Rapture Release last Fall? Why, the Nelson Stone Barn for some rustic pizza of course. It's closing time again for 2015. See you later this afternoon beloved pizza in a corn field... 

Saturday's Critters

Bird d'Pot

Wild Bird Wednesday

My World Wednesday

Shake Those Tail Feathers!

The Road to the Nesting Tree

We drove out into cow country on a mission to find the fondly remembered Scarlet Macaw nesting tree near Puerto Jimenez. We discovered this special tree years earlier during our stay in the remote and wonderful Osa Penninsula of Costa Rica.  

Osa is situated off the Southern Pacific Coast of Costa Rica.  The nearby Corcovado park has been called the most ecologically intense place on earth. Osa is a refuge for the nature lover that likes things wild and well off the heavily rutted tourist track.

 So did we find the tree?  Yes.  But the Macaws weren't nesting there yet.  We did decide that these floppy eared cows were enjoying some prime ocean side real estate though.

Here's the tree photo from the previous trip.  The Scarlet Macaw couples were trying to decide who would get this prime nesting site.

Eucalyptus trees always add a touch of wonderland to the scene.  This is how it looked on one side of the road.

And the ocean side was pasture.  Pasture that is prime ocean front property.  That's what I love about Osa.  It's one of the only places I've visited in Costa Rica where you can still get a quiet and rustic experience away from lots of tourists and construction. There's more monkeys and birds here than people! I like how the cattle egret is hidden in the center of this photo.

This white hawk has found a lazy friend. And a soft perch to spot potential victims.

We may not have found new nesting macaws, but we found some curious cows enjoying some shade and tranquility.  I'm glad we're older and wiser too.  The last time we drove down this bumpy road we were heading for a remote beach.  This time the road was our destination. 

Saturday's Critters

Bird d'Pot

Wild Bird Wednesday

Stems

I wasn't sure what we would see after all the leaves had fallen on this hike.  But look at the splendid contrast.  I think most of it was due to dreaded buck thorn growth.  Do you see the hawk in this photo?

Now you can see him.  I love the layers of fall color.

The sun sparkles.

Meanwhile the hawk hunts...

He thought maybe the view would be better from here before he finally flew off into the forest.

A splendid stem.

A fuzzy fall flower.

A splendid Fall day at Richardson Nature Center. Priceless.

Saturday's Critters

Bird d'Pot

Wild Bird Wednesday

Classic Corkscrew

I've been taking photos of Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary for years.  And every time I snap a photo of the morning light shining down on the boardwalk I intend to do a painting of it.  So far I haven't.  But it is on my bucket list.

A green gecko was hanging around.

There were magic orbs.

A hawk looked down from above.

The swamp was in bloom.

Lettuce Lakes was ready for dressing.  (It really is called Lettuce Lakes)

A little Blue Heron was selecting a snack.

Lunch!  I love this shot!

Another beautiful morning in good old Florida.

Saturday's Critters

Wild Bird Wednesday