Saturday, May 29, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Princes

Prince Otto von Bismarck of Prussia. He engineered the unification of German States under the leadership of Prussia
Prince William, the future King of the United Kingdom

The Red Prince Weigela, guarding the entrance to Troutbirder Castle

Friday, May 21, 2010
Where Oh Where Have My Little....."
It been two years to the day since my introduction to birding. And what a day it was.....
May 21 2008. My birding mentor Mr. Science (Gary) had called the night before to suggest the weather (sunny and calm) would be conducive to some serious birding, well, I just couldn't say no. It was my first summer of real birding, We headed out early, west to Albert Lea and a state park called Myre-Big Island.
Throughout the entire area were bike and hiking trails heading through prairie, marshland and a big maple-basswood forest.
It was here along the willow and brush covered lake shoreline that we were literally engulfed by warblers. They were too fast and elusive to do any effective photography with my little "cheapo" camera so I concentrated on identifying (with the pros help) as many species as possible.
Here is what just one small part of the shoreline produced in less that two hours.
Warblers: Canada, Palm, Blackburnian, Yellow-Throated, Wilson's, BlackPoll, Myrtle, American Redstart, Magnolia, Yellow, Black & White and Ovenbird.
Later as we returned to our car, cutting through the heart of the forest, we came upon a vernal pond where both Swainson's and Gray-cheeked Thrushes were located. This area also produced a Great-Crested-Flycatcher.
What a morning!
Yesterday, two years later to the date, we returned to the same venue. This time the results weren’t so promising as we didn’t see a single warbler along the lakeshore. High above in the forest canopy an occasional flycatcher or vireo was to be heard but not seen. An early spring had the maples and basswood fully leafed out much to our chagrin. Later, we hiked a trail thru more open savanna like country. Here we encountered a number of prairie birds and more than 20 Yellow Warblers, but they were the only warblers to be seen. Many people are reporting on the local birding listservs this spring, a huge dearth of warblers here in southern Minnesota. Various theories and explanations usually follow. But truth to tell, nobody really knows for sure what is going on or why. As a long time fisherman, I usually told my fishing buddies when we got "skunked," you should have been here last week. I guess the moral on this occasion would be "you shoulda been here two years ago."
May 21 2008. My birding mentor Mr. Science (Gary) had called the night before to suggest the weather (sunny and calm) would be conducive to some serious birding, well, I just couldn't say no. It was my first summer of real birding, We headed out early, west to Albert Lea and a state park called Myre-Big Island.


Warblers: Canada, Palm, Blackburnian, Yellow-Throated, Wilson's, BlackPoll, Myrtle, American Redstart, Magnolia, Yellow, Black & White and Ovenbird.
Later as we returned to our car, cutting through the heart of the forest, we came upon a vernal pond where both Swainson's and Gray-cheeked Thrushes were located. This area also produced a Great-Crested-Flycatcher.
What a morning!
Yesterday, two years later to the date, we returned to the same venue. This time the results weren’t so promising as we didn’t see a single warbler along the lakeshore. High above in the forest canopy an occasional flycatcher or vireo was to be heard but not seen. An early spring had the maples and basswood fully leafed out much to our chagrin. Later, we hiked a trail thru more open savanna like country. Here we encountered a number of prairie birds and more than 20 Yellow Warblers, but they were the only warblers to be seen. Many people are reporting on the local birding listservs this spring, a huge dearth of warblers here in southern Minnesota. Various theories and explanations usually follow. But truth to tell, nobody really knows for sure what is going on or why. As a long time fisherman, I usually told my fishing buddies when we got "skunked," you should have been here last week. I guess the moral on this occasion would be "you shoulda been here two years ago."
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Equal Rights Issues


Just one new crises in twenty first century America.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Baron

Their was Ben. Ben was a big lovable goofus. He had a good nose but most of all liked to run and run and run. I think he was part horse and part greyhound. The running part eventually got him into big trouble.

He immediately showed he was not going to be a dog to be trifled with.... attacking my slippers.
Still, he zealously guarded Mrs T's property.
That first spring, he went to visit his cousin Hercules, who lives in Colorado. He swiped Herc's bone. Not good!
Baron was a problem child right from the start. I was so worried his ears would never stand up.
And proud when they did!
We decided he needed to go to class. Being German he was stubborn. Let's put it this way.... he was not a straight A student. Not being a highly trained hunting dog, he has been basically spoiled rotten.
And yet, now at three, he follows me everywhere.
We love adventure wherever we can find it. Going for a swim.
And fetching.
Meeting new friends.
Baron being a young studly guy now and me in the so-called "golden years," he walks and runs somewhat faster than I do these days. Yet, when he gets too far ahead, he will stop and wait for me to catch up. That's one of things that "best buds" do for each other.
Sweet tempered Muffy was my last hunting dog. She was also a Chesapeake. She was gentle and friendly. And a strong girl in the field.
After a year without a dog, we decided a companion guard dog would be just right for us. We named him Baron. He was a GSD.



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