mother nature: We have a daily visitor
- 12/27/18 06:16 PM
Every morning we have a visitor.
Sparky as I call him, waits every morning for his peanuts.
The first thing I do in the morning is to throw out a few in the shell peanuts.
When I am a short distance away, Sparky comes down and gathers a few up and runs for his nest.
Yes, some times these varmints are a pain, but this one seems content waiting for his nuts!
… (10 comments)
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mother nature: And the owls are happy.
- 09/23/18 09:36 PM
Over the last couple weeks we have heard the owls talking back and forth when we go outside.
Some say they sound haunting.
Others feel like is ti more soothing.
The truth is that each species of owl has it's own vocal sounds.
So depending on the sound you hear, will determine the specie of owls.
… (13 comments)
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mother nature: How many Bees are left in North Branch, Minnesota?
- 08/04/14 11:59 PM
The decline in the number of bees is a real concern in most all of the U. S.
Without the bees, no pollination and no fruit.
Minnesota will be doing a count of the number of bees in the state, not only in North Branch, over the next 2 years. I am wondering how they will get all those little guys and gals to stand still that long.
Sorry, thinking out loud.
This is a real concern. Many of us for years if we saw a bee of any kind we destroyed it.
But, for the last 5-6 years, if the … (11 comments)
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mother nature: Enjoy...there are here for only a while.
- 07/01/14 01:21 PM
These wildflowers showed up about 4 years ago.
In the area they are a sign was put up for No Spray8ing of the weeds and small trees under the power lines.
The result is all kinds of pretty flowers now lines many of the ditches.
But, enjoy them now for they will soon be gone.
… (3 comments)
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mother nature: It is the time of the year.
- 06/06/14 09:42 AM
The fuzzy things in this picture are Baby birds.
I was going to tear out some old shrubs and plant new ones.
Well, Momma bird thought that this shrub was still good enough to raise a family.
So, for now, she can stay, but once they are gone so is the bush.
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mother nature: The Robins are finally back.
- 04/02/14 11:27 PM
Yes they are back, finally. Yea, we have snow on the ground, but that doesn't seem to bother them.
For many years we have seen them back in early to mid March. Sometimes even late February. Now, the weatherman is saying I should polish up my shovel for the next snowfall.
10-14 inches.
Why Not, It is only April.
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mother nature: Yes, I fell for it...hook, line and sinker!
- 03/31/14 11:30 PM
Yes, it is April Fool's Day.
Yes I got hit right away and fell for it.
Mother Nature said it was spring.
She even melted 1/2 of the snow with 50+ weather.
I woke up this morning and this is what I saw...
I know it is not a blizzard like 200 miles North of us, but I was not looking for 15 degrees this morning either.
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mother nature: Wildlife in winter
- 03/22/14 01:51 AM
I took a walk out to my Deer Stand this morning.
It was beautiful, almost 5 above.
I sat quietly watching the woods come alive.
I was watching for a particular visitor.
After about a 1/2 hour here it came.
The Ruffed Grouse is a cool bird.
Very flighty and can fly at very high speeds in a dense woods and dodge all the trees.
This one flew up in a tree only about 15 feet from me and started eating the buds.
It looked at me several times wondering what I was.
In about 15 minutes and 50 photo's … (10 comments)
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mother nature: For you warm weather lovers...Get Ready!
- 01/02/14 05:51 AM
Well, sounds like a good storm moving in.
Most of the snow will miss Minnesota, but the East Coast has a big Bulls Eye on it.
Some people still don't havepower from the last storm.
In case you didn't learn from the last storm, RIGHT NOW is the time to stock up on essentials.
Water
Batteries
Non-Perishable foods...High in proteins.
Gasoline for those that have snow blowers and generators.
If you have used it in the last week you may need it again in the coming week so
STOCK up but don't hoard!
After the snow will be the cold. Minnesota … (5 comments)
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mother nature: Recycle, recycle, recycle!
- 10/20/13 10:22 AM
We hear it most every day. Cut waste and recycle.
We have been doing this for years and years. We even watch what we buy to cut down on wasteful packaging.
We do it for the environment.
But one thing we can't seem to find is a place to recycle small batteries.
You know the kind...AA,AAA,C,D and a host of others. I have found collection points but learned from employees that they just throw them in the trash.
Does anyone know of a national collection of these things. There are all kinds of warnings on the batteries themselves and the packaging, … (8 comments)
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mother nature: A wonderful fall evening.
- 09/25/13 11:25 AM
It is a beautiful night here in the Nort land.
Upper 60's with a very light breeze.
My wife and I chose to take a walk instead of watching the boob tube.
Yes, it was dark, but there is still alot to see.
That stars are bright and the moon is growing smaler in it's last quarter. We even saw a shooting star ever so briefly.
Yes, a walk was much more enjoyable than the tube!
And a fire to round the evening out.
… (7 comments)
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mother nature: These trees had a bumper crop!
- 09/19/13 10:33 AM
No, it wasn't the apple although they did well.
It was the Oak Trees.
There are many differnet varities of Oak trees in my area and they all seem to have produced a bumper corp of Acorns.
Many of the forest animals use the Acorn as a staple in their winter fattening diet.
Deer, Bear, Squirrels and other rodents. Wild Turkey's are also a big consumer of Acorn's
The bumper crop will ensure that much of the wildlife have good eating into the winter .
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mother nature: We have waited a long time.
- 09/14/13 09:10 AM
We have been waiting for a long time for this rain.
I watched as the rain clouds slowly made their way over me. Once the rain started...I stay for a while and is still raining.
Although the 1/4 inch we have so far doesn't get us out of the drought, it does help in the short term.
Now, if it would rain all night!
… (4 comments)
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mother nature: Where are all the Butterfly's?
- 09/12/13 09:26 AM
Early this spring, I had heard that there would not be many Monarch butterfly's this year.
They were right. I have seen 4. At this time of the year I usually see 8-10 and more.
But, I am surprised that we jusat are not seeing hardly any Butterfly's this year of any type.
I saw this one today but it is a rarity.
So where are all the Butterfly's?
… (5 comments)
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mother nature: Another dawn has come.
- 09/07/13 10:38 PM
AS I awaken this morning, the sun was coming up on the horizon.
We need rain, but it will come.
So, for this morning my wish for you is that tha sun shines down and grants you a wonderful day.
And for those lucky enough to have clouds and rain, here is a bit of sunshine to brighten your day also.
… (6 comments)
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mother nature: Minnesota likes many states is in a drought...
- 09/05/13 10:47 AM
One of the big issues with a drought is that we forget about our trees.
Yes, if you planted within a couple of years you may be out there with the hose.
That is great, but even larger trees may need a drink also.
I lost a very nice Maple Tree last year during the drought. I was taking care of the smaller trees but didn't get to the Maple. This spring there were no leaves..
It takes a lot of water and the best way is to put the hose about two feet from the trunk and let the water … (5 comments)
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mother nature: Fall is coming and so are the special colors.
- 09/04/13 09:46 AM
Fall has all kinds of colors.
The leaves of very tree, bush and weed will take on a different color than when they are growing.
Mushrooms also come in a variety of colors.
This group of orange mushrooms caught my eye the other day. Fall colors can appear in many different forms.
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mother nature: Not quite invisible.
- 08/21/13 08:28 AM
Watering my garden I see many creatures at different times.
Today It was a tree frog. These guys do blend into the surrounding area really well going from this great green color to medium grey.
This one is sitting on a cucumber leaf. I took several shots up close before he got nervous and moved on.
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mother nature: It's not always the fish that makes a great fishing trip.
- 08/11/13 10:27 AM
I had one morning to take a fast trip to the lake.
Fish were biting, but mostly small. They kept me amused at least.
But then something appeared at the side of my boat.
An American Loon and her baby.
These very wary birds usually move away when you approach them. Not this time. 10 feet from the boat and Mom kept fishing and feeding the baby. What a sight and so close.
Made for some great photo's.
These photo's were taken early morning and the lighting wasn't so great.
Mom with a minnow going to fee jr.
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mother nature: I love our flowers this time of the year.
- 07/12/13 10:06 AM
Our hard work pays off at this time of the year.
Some of my favorite ones bloom now.
We have many different lilies that bloom now. Many are still just budding.
I love the dark colored ones the most.
Most butterfly's will show up best on this yellow one.
Ok, so it isn't a flower, but it still holds some of Natures beauty.
… (7 comments)
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Every morning we have a visitor.
;)
;)
;)
