Our Pond

Our pond glows in the moonlight.

It attracts mallards.

This year it was even visited by these Common Mergansers - fish ducks that we normally only see at Lake Superior.

Sandhill cranes.

It's a good place to learn how to  paddle a canoe.

When you're three years old.

Canoeing at the Sturgeon Slough

A warm April afternoon with a couple of friends and Tundra Swans.

Heading up the Snake River from the canal.  Marja wasn't able to come so I was paddling my solo canoe.

It was a warm, lazy day so I didn't have to work very hard to keep up with Carl and Chris.

Paddling a canoe through a tight turn the bow paddler draws the bow into the turn while the stern paddler draws the stern outward.  The further we got up the river the more ice and snags we encountered.

Finally we hit a thick mat of duckweed.

Breaking through this mat felt like paddling in mud.

Evidently all the duckweed in the river had floated downstream once the river had opened up and had gotten dammed up behind a snag.  The mat had a sour smell and was pretty disgusting stuff.

An otter watched us on our return.

Marja and I returned a couple of days later and saw this gal near the landing.  I had never seen a moose in the Copper Country before,  but apparently there are a few around.

After awhile the breeze shifted to the East and I found I wasn't dressed warmly enough for that cold air coming off the big lake, so we headed back in.

 

At the landing the beavers put on a show for us.

Swimming back and forth...

...and slapping their tails as they submerged.

This guy just chilled on the bank for awhile.

Spring Mornings

Nothing like a good apple to start your day.

Followed by a little reading.

A Norther Shrike showed up to watch the activity at our bird feeders.  Shrikes are somewhat unique - they are predatory songbirds that feed on small animals and birds.

Newly born lambs.  Momma has cleaned them both.

I finally wised up and came up with an easier way to haul sap.

My sled is basically a scaled down version of the old horse-drawn sleds carrying big sap barrels that I have seen in pictures.  It has a wide stance for stability and holds two five gallon buckets in the center.  It works like a charm on uneven snow and hillsides.

The train is about to leave the station.

It may be snowing, but when you see a bluebird you know that spring is here,

Time for picnics in the sun.

The proper way to eat a bagel is to eat the cream cheese first.  It's like eating an oreo cookie - you turn it on edge and eat the layers one at a time.  

The rock pile has emerged from under the snow.

More lambs.

A Polar Expedition

The spring thaw/freeze cycle often produces a solid crust that you can walk on.  It was time to do some exploring!

The polar expedition was properly equipped with winter clothing and lightweight sledges.

Into the pine plantation.

The youngest member was getting sleepy.

But the expedition leader forged onward.

Nearing the summit.

Into the valley.

When you are wearing good winter gear you can sleep anywhere.

The spring torrent.

Hot apple cider!   Mmmmm....good.

Banana bread is a staple on polar expeditions.

It's always good to have a log to sit on.

Time to pack up and head out.

The youngest member slept halfway home.