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

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!

Their goose is not cooked...

I'm finally re-visiting Duluth and Hawk Ridge.  These birds are captured, but they don't end up on the Thanksgiving table.  They are banded and released.  Their goose is not cooked!

A volunteer showcases a blue jay's feathers.  This is an exciting (I'm joking.  Most people don't like Jays) part of the Hawk Weekend Festival September 14-16.  www.hawkridge.org   It celebrates the Fall migration of birds with bird adoptions, among other events. In short, Hawk ridge is such a great spot for banding because the birds don't want to fly over Lake Superior as they migrate.  I don't blame them one bit. And for a small fee you can hold and release a captured bird.  Jays are free.  Just kidding.

 A young Flicker.  We see these woodpeckers on the ground in the Fall.

An alert Kestrel.  

Wasn't it fun to see their feathers from all sides? A brief demo and off they go.  Where migration will take them no one knows. 

If you haven't checked out my giveaway either scroll down or click here  I'm giving away 2 signed copies (including musical cd's) of my first illustrated book.  It would make a great Christmas gift!