Bald Eagles

I saw these two American Bald Eagles sitting a in tree, probably looking for something to eat now that the lakes have finally opened up.

American Bald Eagles

American Bald Eagles

May Frogs

The frogs are out now.  My step son will be so happy to see them he loves catching them or at least trying to any way.

Northwoods frog

northwoods frog

May - Last Year

These are some shots from May of last year.  Wow what a difference from this year.  This time last year w were already at the lake and enjoying

Spring may 2012

Spring may 2012

Spring may 2012

Spring may 2012

Spring may 2012

Birds Return

I have heard them singing for awhile now, but finally was able to get out and get some pictures of the birds by the lake.  I can't wait to go boat riding again. 

Spring black bird

King Fisher

spring bird

Bear

Saturday while on our way to my parent house we saw two black bear club and their mother along the road.  The mother stayed back in the woods further but she didn't let the little guys out of her sight.  I can honestly say these are the first bears that I have gotten the chance to photograph.  I was so excited and a little scared.

Northwoods Black Bear Cub

Northwoods Black Bear Cub

Northwoods Black Bear Cub

Northwoods Black Bear Cub

Saw-whet Owl

The Northern Saw-whet Owl is a very small, short-bodied, Owl with a relatively short tail. The overly large head has no ear tufts and may appear distorted due to an asymmetrical skull. They look small when perched and tend to shuffle their feet, but in flight appear larger because of their broad wings.

The facial disk has brownish and whitish radials around the edge, which fade to a whitish area around the eyes. There is also a dark area from the base of the bill to the bottom inside edge of each eye. The rest of the head is brownish to grey-brown and densely covered with white streaks, especially on the forehead. The eyes are large and bright yellow-orange. The bill is black.

Plumage is quite fluffy and brownish or reddish brown overall streaked with white underneath and spotted on the back. Flight feathers are spotted white. The legs and feet are light buff and heavily feathered. The toes are lightly feathered and the claws are dark horn with blackish tips.

Spring Owl

We spotted this little guy while collecting sap, one of the guys with us said it was a Saw-whet Owl. The scientific description of one of the sub-species of this owl is attributed to the Rev. John Henry Keen who was a missionary in Canada in 1896. Adults are 17–22 cm (6.7–8.7 in) long with a 42–56.3 cm (17–22.2 in) wingspan. They can weigh from 54 to 151 g (1.9 to 5.3 oz) with an average of around 80 g (2.8 oz), making them one of the smallest owls in North America. In relative size to other owls they are close to the size of an American Robin.

Last April

These Photos are from last April but I thought since the snow is melting that we should take a look ahead to spring, which seems to be just around the corner.

Spring bird

Spring on lake

Canada Goose

Spring on Lake

Spring on Lake

Think Spring

The snow just keeps coming, which is great for the snow bunnies but I thought was would take a look back at spring, which will be here is just a few short months.

Purple Flowers

White flower

yellow flower

red flower

Spring Lake

These shots are from last spring - not that you could really tell a difference since the weather has been so warm in the Northwoods.  But I thought these would be a nice change from the snow that we don't have.

Spring time on the lake

Spring cat tails

Spring on the lake

Spring cat tails

Beaver Dam

There are been some debate for awhile, that these Beaver Dams can some times cause problems with some lake systems by stopping the nature flow of water making they lakes very weed and not ideal for some fish.

wisconsin beaver dam

wisconsin beaver dam

wisconsin beaver dam

wisconsin beaver dam

Spring Preview

Already thinking about warmer weather?  Well here are some shots from this past spring that I didn't get around to posting yet.  I do like the winter for snowmobiling and the peaces snow falls but I doo like the warmer weather.

Spring in the northwoods of Wisconsin

Spring in the northwoods of Wisconsin

Spring in the northwoods of Wisconsin

Spring in the northwoods of Wisconsin

Spring in the northwoods of Wisconsin

Spring in the northwoods of Wisconsin

Spring in the northwoods of Wisconsin