Summer Eagles 2021

 Summer Eagles 2021

 My wife and I took two short trips in June-July 2021 to the Trempealeau, Wisconsin area along the Mississippi in search of nesting eagles to photograph. The first place we stopped was at the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, Minnesota.  (where Grumpy Old Men was filmed). A friendly worker there was kind enough to give us a list of places where eagle nests had been spotted in Minnesota and Wisconsin. 

One of the locations was on Badland Road, Alma, Wisconsin and our first attempt at spotting a nest was unsuccessful. But my wife soon alerted me that she saw an eagle in a tree some distance from us. (I should tell you that my wife can spot a gravy stain on my polo shirt from a distance of 50 yards, so I trusted that she saw an eagle.)

 

 

 Not a good photo because of the distance.

In short order, we heard the distinct screeching cry of an eagle and saw it landing in a tree within a few yards of us.

It was obvious that this great bird was warning us that we were in its territory, probably near its nest, although we never did see it. Luckily, I speak Eagle, having taken an elective course at the John Denver School of Bird Conversation. In no time, we agreed to leave the area without disturbing the nest (which we never did locate).

So the eagle happily went on its way without removing one of my eyes.

We then traveled on to the Village of Trempealeau, Wisconsin with no specific location in mind, but little did I know we would find the best eagle sighting ever. Some local residents told us of a nearby house where a pair of eagles returned to their nest almost every year. The nest was in a tree in a resident's back yard, and these are the photos I took.

 

 The adult and its eaglet presented me with the best photo op I ever had of a Bald Eagle and its young, albeit a very unattractive youngster.

 

 

 

 

 

 We waited for some time in case the second adult returned with a fish, but to no avail and we left that day to return home.

A little over three weeks later, we returned to Trempealeau to see how our eagles were doing. As we approached the nest we were surprised by an adult eagle leaving the nest with a fish in its talons, apparently surprised by our presence.

 That eagle did not return with the fish, and I assume that he ate it without sharing.    (Like I am with a gift of dark chocolate.)

As I looked into the nest I was surprised to see two eaglets, considerably larger that the one I saw in June. I was able to get these photos of the two.

Just before we were preparing to leave, I took this photo of the adult eagle returning to the nest.

It circled around a few times and then landed in a nearby tree where it could keep an eye on its two eaglets.

We watched the adult standing guard over the kids for a while and then left, probably for the rest of this nesting period, because the eaglets were certain to become fledglings soon and would test their wings for future flights. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blue Heron family, etc.

 I'm back! Sorry it's taken so long, but I've been very busy arranging my socks in alphabetical order, memorizing all of my 1400 passwords (I've done 6 so far), searching for the escapees from my rare snail collection (they can't get very far), and other extremely pressing business. 

First, allow me to get my seldom-used ego in gear. This is the photo that earned a Blue Ribbon this year at the Ozaukee County Art Exhibit at the Cedarburg Cultural Center. I didn't like it very much but my wife did, so now she's been wearing the ribbon every day at the gym.

There's a Blue Heron heronry on the west side of Wasaukee Road, just north of Donges Bay Road. (And, yes, Wasaukee is the correct spelling.) Anyway, as of today, May 21st., I counted 8 nests containing chicks. The scene is really prehistoric looking, especially since the baby chicks look a lot like their pterodactyl ancestors.

    See what I mean?

 

            

                                                      The happy couple! Just wait!

                                                                           

   Nest-building begins. Furniture from Cheepo Depot.

                             In about 38 days, the chicks arrived, and they grew very fast.

                           By the way, you don't see the male, do you?

                                             Family portrait. I know, adorable, right?

                                        Following photos are from the "etc" collection.

                                       Sandhill Cranes dancing at Horicon marsh.

 

 

Near the heronry one day I saw this innocent Sandhill being attacked by a war-like Canadian Goose. They're very angry birds, those Canadians!

                                                     

                                                       Escape!

A rare encounter with two Whooping Cranes at Horicon marsh.

 

 

Note the ID band on the left ankle.

                                   They left when they spotted my bird cookbook.

Epilogue: 

It's getting warmer every day in Wisconsin, so get out there and enjoy the beautiful sights and sounds of the birds in your neighborhood or at one of the many parks like Lions Den or the Greenfield Park lagoon. But watch out for the Canadians! Geese, that is.

Enhanced Photos

I've been experimenting with the process of enhancing photos using software that allows me to apply presets from the software to my photos. The result, in my opinion, produces "photo art" that ranges from simple exposure changes to fanciful, more artistic effects.

The following photos are examples of  what this software can produce. For the first photo of a snowy owl, I included the actual photo so that you can see the dramatic results that can take place. The remaining photos are the enhanced product.

                                    
                                                                         Original

                                                                      
                                                                       Enhanced

                                                                                                                               

                                    
                                                         Cedarburg Street in December

                         Painted Bunting

                                                                         Ibises

 

               Great Egret                      

                                                                             Wood Stork                                   

                               Two Wood Storks

                                                                 Great Egret

                                                                Great Blue Heron

                                                                   Sandhill Crane

                                                               Trumpeter Swans

                                                                   Great Horned Owlet

                                                              Great Blue Heron

                                                           Sandhill Crane Family

                           Wood Storks

                                                                                                  Cedarburg Mill

     Trumpeter Swan 

 

                                                                                             Great Blue Heron

                                       Great Egret

 

                                                                                      American Bald Eagle

                                                                          Connection
                                                            (Dead Horse State Park, Utah)

Ospreys, Swans, Landscapes.

It's been about nine months since my last post and all I can say is, "You can run, but you can't hide!" Since I don't have any toilet paper to offer you, I thought maybe a few photos will do to lift your spirits. Well, not in the way you're thinking.

My wife and I have both been busy, working, traveling, hobbying, and lately, for me, eating, eating, eating. The world of nature still exists out there, and within the last week the weather has cooperated, and I saw my first bluebird yesterday! Unfortunately, she was coughing and sneezing---but at an approved social distance. Also spotted a lone Osprey re-habbing the nest at the Thiensville dam, so they'll soon be there in full force.

Since the subject is Ospreys, here are some photos taken last year. I stayed with them since they were eggs in the nest to the time in the fall when they were hunting in the river and preparing for their migration.

Three eggs hatched and somehow Mom and Dad fed them what they needed. They're teens in this pic.

   Waiting for their lunch--Hot Dogs, Mac and Cheese,and Cokes.

The Osprey usually finds a perch above the river and patiently waits for a hunting opportunity.

                                          They're not always successful but they persevere.
                                               Time to get back to the tree and dry off.

                                                    

             

                                                  Success at last! Now for some sushi.






A short trip to Horicon Marsh last week was generally not productive until I came across two lovey-dovey swans. Warning: The photo below is x-rated!





                                                                           

                                                       "What? No foreplay?"






                                                                 

                                                                        
                                            "I did it! I did it! I'm a SWAN-MAN, baby!"
                                               "Fifteen seconds of paradise, baby!"


                                                        
                                                   The female acted more mature.
                                                                        

                                                                          

                                                              "Now, scram, mac!"


                                 
                                           The three photos below were taken in Cedarburg:

                            

  

 Cedarburg Mill taken from the pedestrian bridge.

                        A Cedarburg silent night.          

                                                  I call this one, "Cosmic Vision."
                                                            (You figure it out)

                                 

                                       

There's no better time than now to get out to nature and appreciate its beautiful healing power.