Shay Dam

Last Weekend I stopped at Shay Dam to look around.  I had been there before as a child but it was awhile ago.  The place hasn't changed much, it was buggy (where in the northwoods isn't) but very relaxing to be there.  Shay Dam is located on the Turtle River (Mercer Wisconsin Area) 

Driver directions from Mercer, Head east on County J in Mercer for 2.5 miles. Turn north (left) on Beaver Lodge Circle. Proceed 3.6 miles, passing Beaver Lake Road. Turn east (right) on Fisher Lake Road 1.2 miles to small side road on the left leading to Shay’s Dam. Watch for “Shay’s Dam” sign. Park with picnic area available.

 

 

Northwoods Lakeland Sunset

I had a wonder weekend - couldn't have asked for better weather.  I was out late in the boat and took these sunset pictures.  It was nice, maybe a little buggy.  I had a few issues figuring out the night setting on my camera.  So after the sun went down I was not able to take any more pictures.  I am slowly getting the hang of it though.

<------ This is my camera by the way.  Not the super high end but yet a little more that a point and shoot.  Again I am not a professional photographer.  I am an hobbyist at best. :)

 

Best Bug Sprays

I saw this today on Yahoo http://shopping.yahoo.com/articles/yshoppingarticles/631/best-insect-repellents it's really useful information.  I know last weekend when I was out - not even really deep in the woods.  I found 2 woods ticks on me, through out the day while my boyfriend - who wasn't wear any bug spray - didn't have any woods ticks on him.  Now I am not one of those girls that is 'afraid' of bug but I hate surprises and bug like to sneak up on me :)  that is what freaks me out, plus I don't like things crawling on me.

 

For the record I was using: Cutter Skinsations.  Which is # 9 on the list and listed as only 55% effective.  So guess who needs to go by new bug spray before this weekend?

 

On a side note - I will be checking my trail cam this weekend - we left it out all week.  I hope we got something.

Immature Eagle

I thought this needed it own post.  While we were out looking for the loon I came across this big guy.  At first I didn't know what it was. as it flew over us but when I followed it with my camera and zoomed in a little I could see that it was a 'baby' Eagle.  Well not so baby but it doesn't have it full Eagle feathers yet, but you can tell that it's close.  They say once the feathers turn that means the Eagle has reached maturity and is ready to look for a mate.  So maybe by next year this guy (or girl) will be looking to have some young of it's own.

And let me just say that when it flew over us, I was a little freaked out because I could tell that it was huge. There are not many birds this size that live in the northwoods.

Common Loon Baby

We went boating on a mission this weekend, there was rumor that the Loons on this one lake had been out with their baby.  Is a baby loon called a chick or a duckling?  Any way we found them.  The baby was so cute.  Late we were talking with a couple and they gave us the sad news that the loons had two babies but a neighbor saw them pushing it in the water trying to get it to swim but it was too late.  They weren't sure what had happened to it but they were very upset.  They were happy to see the photos of the surviving baby, they were worried something may have happened to it too.

Northwoods Common Loons

Northwoods Common Loon and Baby

Northwoods Common Loon and Baby

Northwoods Common Loon and Baby

Northwoods Common Loon and Baby

Baby Ducks and help id this animal

I had to share these, while boating we came across a mommy duck, we think it may have been a Wood Duck, and about six or so little baby ducks.  The mom kind of got separated from them but was trying to swim back to them as we went by.  I didn't get a very good shot of the mother, but here are the babies!  They are so cute.

Also while scouting for places to hang my new nature cam, we found this print.  It's not a wolf I know that, but I thought it was interesting.  My boyfriend said he thought it was a raccoon, but it doesn't seem long like a raccoon's print (i searched it on google)  You can see the claw marks and good friends on the DNR site say that raccoons, skunks, coyotes, foxes, and dogs will often leave claw marks.

American Eagle Video and more

I took some video footage of the American Eagle on it's nest.  It was really windy that day so I took the sound off so it wouldn't bother people.  It's such a pretty bird.  :)

I also thought that I would share this wonderful nature scene.  On our hike last weekend we came across this stream, it's so nice and peaceful.  I just love it out there in the woods.

American Eagles and Loons

American Bald Eagle -  Once endangered in Wisconsin, in 1997 the American bald eagle was taken off the list.  Females usually lay two, 3 inch-long white eggs in late March or early April. Both adults incubate the eggs. Within a month or so, the first egg will hatch with a fluffy white chick. Adults then feed the chicks bits of fish and protect them from severe weather and predators, like great horned owls, raccoons, and ravens. Active nests have been found both in inland nesting areas and along the major rivers in Wisconsin: the Chippewa, Lower Wisconsin, Wolf, and Mississippi. Eagles usually build their nests in tall trees, often a live white pine, with large sticks as shell and softer material as the lining. On average, the nests are about 4 feet in diameter and 3 feet deep, compare that to your height and you'll see how large they really are! Sometimes an eagle pair may just "refurbish" an old nest with new materials instead of building a new one. Just like fixing up an old house instead of building a new one. (from Wisconsin DNR Website)

Also for the record this Eagle is using a man made nest, which the DNR maintains for them to use each year.

Common Loon -   Loons are fast in the water, but have trouble walking on land. They don't spend much time on land, except to nest. Their nests are made of weeds and grass and are usually located in grass along the lake shoreline. A loon may use the same nest year after year. Two olive-brown eggs are laid. Both male and female loons take turns sitting on the eggs. The eggs hatch in about one month. Soon after birth the chicks are in the water swimming with their parents. Swimming in the cold water is hard on the chicks, so from time to time they hitch a ride on their parent's back. This also protects them from predators like snapping turtles and muskies. (from Wisconsin DNR Website)

Trail Cam

I ordered a new toy last Monday, a Swann OutbackCam.  It's a motion activated cam that runs on batteries and save videos (or) pictures to an SD card, making it easier for me to just swap them out each time I go up there.  Swann's SW361-OBC is specifically built to withstand the harshest weather conditions (aka Northwoods wind and rain lately), Swann's OutbackCam is the ideal security observation system for your front yard, back yard and any rural location.  (see image below)

I can't recommend or comment on how it works yet since I have yet to get it but I will give you my full report once we get it and try it out :) 

I was hoping that it would come before this weekend so that I could hang it up in the area that people (every one but me basically) has seen the wolf.  But sadly it has not came yet.  Fingers are crossed to it to make it for next weekend, I scouted the area this weekend I know where I want to hang it and there were signs that I wolf had been in the are recently. I got some great shots but I am still sorting through them.  I will post again tomorrow with pictures.  I saw some great stuff this weekend, Loons, eagles and flowers!  I think everything was in bloom this weekend in the Northwoods.  Which also by the way was the Lupine Festival in Mercer.  I did not go or take part but I did do some Lupine looking, they were very pretty.

Nature Blog Network

 Northwoods Nature Blog is now a member of the Nature Blog Network.

Welcome to the Nature Blog Network, a nexus for the very best nature blogs on the net. If you're looking for outstanding blogging about birds, bugs, plants, herps, hiking, oceans, ecosystems, or any other natural topic -- or if you blog on those topics yourself -- this is the place for you!

I listed it under Photography becuase it doesn't really fit into any other grouping right now.  Does it?  I plan to do nature videos too, but ther eis not 'video group'.

Relaxing rain

Is it odd that I found the rain a few weekends ago to be really relaxing?  SO I video taped it so I could watch it again.  But I didn't want to ruin my new camera so I didn't get too much footage.  I hope you enjoy it.  I will have more photos to share soon, still trying to sort and edit some stuff.  I Love Photoshop :)