tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71293209461487144312024-02-12T09:36:42.861-05:00Enjoying all that Nature OffersEach time we venture off the beaten path we are amazed at the wonders of nature. Even from the seat of the car the beauty is apparent but for those that venture off the beaten path, the rewards are endless. We wanted to share our digital memories of the outdoors with others. These images may be of wildlife, or vistas or maybe just us enjoying the outdoors. We hope you enjoy what you see here and maybe get out there and see it for yourself.PaWingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04319593598322983193noreply@blogger.comBlogger131125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129320946148714431.post-3982752049064785092016-10-30T16:21:00.000-04:002016-10-30T16:22:03.546-04:00Woodring Farm Nature Hike<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It's been far too long since I have posted anything on this Blog and I felt this would be a worthy update. It's also my hope that within a few short months I will have more time to devote to this and my other Blog and still have time for my normal Facebook posts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Okay, let's get started. By now I would suppose anyone that has ventured around up on Winslow Hill has noticed some changes at Woodring Farm. Basically, this whole project began back in 2014 and was a joint effort between the Pa Game Commission (PGC) and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF). These two organizations joined forces to purchase the 81 acre Woodring Farm and expand Game Lands 311. At this point a large parking lot has been added on the farmhouse side and a smaller one has been graded and graveled on the side overlooking the big field. It is my hope that they continue to add places where the older folks can view the elk from their vehicles, either at this site or others. I can't even begin to tell you how many people have asked me why they took away the beautiful parking spots that ran down along Dewey Rd. So many folks really enjoyed sitting in their cars or their lawn chairs and looking out over the beautiful view, and the elk were just an added bonus. I am hopeful they will continue to keep this in mind for future projects.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Okay, now let's talk about the interpretive trail on the farmhouse side of the road. This is a really nice trail that has so much to offer, It's a fairly easy 1/4 mile hike to the observation deck and less than a mile to complete the loop trail. I will expand on the offerings of this trail as I move along on this blog entry. Before I get going on that I will also mention that the PGC is currently using the farmhouse for a headquarters and lodging for out of the area Game Commission personnel. At this time I do not know for sure if this building will remain or if it will be razed and replaced by a newer building.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I would hope that this post encourages others to take a walk up to the viewing platform and check out the amazing view. Do yourself a favor and walk the whole loop. If you really take your time and soak up the beauty you will find that there is so much more to Winslow Hill and Woodring Farm than just the elk. The beauty changes with every seasonal change, so check it out many times throughout the year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">There are several reasons for writing about Woodring Farm, one of them being to point out what it has to offer. The other very important reason was to talk about the interpretive signs that are along the hiking path. I very much wanted to call attention to the art work on the signs which is the handiwork of local students. I very much wanted to showcase these signs and give these students credit for their fine work.</span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG5xDeomhHQfsIEaQ9_fNFa9brZ9SvnR-SQ5M_yS0BfTAR7lo87Rj0_CXP7SukZ48d53a9xeqK1gXg66obAMUp52oQWuI25MUN9enXyx6QjP8lCvEY2qFZqaM5DzVpIaZSDksJYdOPLy1B/s1600/Moon%252C+Elk+and+Bluebirds+105+copy+%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG5xDeomhHQfsIEaQ9_fNFa9brZ9SvnR-SQ5M_yS0BfTAR7lo87Rj0_CXP7SukZ48d53a9xeqK1gXg66obAMUp52oQWuI25MUN9enXyx6QjP8lCvEY2qFZqaM5DzVpIaZSDksJYdOPLy1B/s640/Moon%252C+Elk+and+Bluebirds+105+copy+%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Artwork by Mykenna Zettle SMAHS 2016</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMXxUwVhAN078zmLUd0VrY_ba1XXXoKYU9TYr8vCgxtkdO0CumjtcN9HAg01S0v2exDfr9vl5tK-4edKLbOEhCtZ8hrW6t0pWKgFd83DA3qpfqdOOayOwlEShM2d3GZeq-govCPFqy-0c/s1600/Moon%252C+Elk+and+Bluebirds+071+copy+%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMXxUwVhAN078zmLUd0VrY_ba1XXXoKYU9TYr8vCgxtkdO0CumjtcN9HAg01S0v2exDfr9vl5tK-4edKLbOEhCtZ8hrW6t0pWKgFd83DA3qpfqdOOayOwlEShM2d3GZeq-govCPFqy-0c/s640/Moon%252C+Elk+and+Bluebirds+071+copy+%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Artwork by Melanie Shutters SMAHS 2016</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmzyKTWVKf6ZAQzDdlAHCC3ZvYvUI_ull5Iz1aJUaJTMIl7oVJsZmaUYw3RCayGURAksH7A0qgMicGQTmmBJYjMCUk-9bP3N5RFC55PwlF_RizSkEOw3Nx0noAHtQRdcwayUOhpDQcZr5z/s1600/Moon%252C+Elk+and+Bluebirds+072+copy+%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmzyKTWVKf6ZAQzDdlAHCC3ZvYvUI_ull5Iz1aJUaJTMIl7oVJsZmaUYw3RCayGURAksH7A0qgMicGQTmmBJYjMCUk-9bP3N5RFC55PwlF_RizSkEOw3Nx0noAHtQRdcwayUOhpDQcZr5z/s640/Moon%252C+Elk+and+Bluebirds+072+copy+%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Artwork by Paige Nicklas 2016 SMAHS</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZuAwJr__zFrQ2lrg5OsSbCmUuT76F6v9mGSY37owL2U0HcX0BTWQUpRuvb9YYwQBQNfnTWV7px8OZyzUlvxVTeEmKmRxRwCv1RkzcNbvgdSRpbhUgSbLXgd-eRHtrf8bAMh8dVHj2xpwE/s1600/Moon%252C+Elk+and+Bluebirds+073+copy+%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZuAwJr__zFrQ2lrg5OsSbCmUuT76F6v9mGSY37owL2U0HcX0BTWQUpRuvb9YYwQBQNfnTWV7px8OZyzUlvxVTeEmKmRxRwCv1RkzcNbvgdSRpbhUgSbLXgd-eRHtrf8bAMh8dVHj2xpwE/s640/Moon%252C+Elk+and+Bluebirds+073+copy+%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Artwork by Dawson Lion SMAHS 2016</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxGqKH_rfmaYC4aafKgDxctP5onTfgJAbxsKkLhD8Oz84C5lrBJ4NI63zI9EMxhlsiqwsxq7JKhNIIHjsgRdmp25U40oKiGz9L5Z8fszRIP1WJDd16rgjnqUNiqqczfJooxZWQ99PRPLs/s1600/Moon%252C+Elk+and+Bluebirds+084+copy+%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxGqKH_rfmaYC4aafKgDxctP5onTfgJAbxsKkLhD8Oz84C5lrBJ4NI63zI9EMxhlsiqwsxq7JKhNIIHjsgRdmp25U40oKiGz9L5Z8fszRIP1WJDd16rgjnqUNiqqczfJooxZWQ99PRPLs/s640/Moon%252C+Elk+and+Bluebirds+084+copy+%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Artwork by Paige Nicklas 2016 SMAHS</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqnrWYZE2ikF8LFwkAuprPbQ2I9r9jYcXIf_8yOpbDcUrVDWG0fouoJGHufzEibxIItFOL3HLe4B_oNEkp0oXjC427zjVuprYz0IyQEOtx1DJNxDW8VIWxZx91D_Hkx4-U82w5X_GQl6YF/s1600/Moon%252C+Elk+and+Bluebirds+085+copy+%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqnrWYZE2ikF8LFwkAuprPbQ2I9r9jYcXIf_8yOpbDcUrVDWG0fouoJGHufzEibxIItFOL3HLe4B_oNEkp0oXjC427zjVuprYz0IyQEOtx1DJNxDW8VIWxZx91D_Hkx4-U82w5X_GQl6YF/s640/Moon%252C+Elk+and+Bluebirds+085+copy+%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Artwork by Dawson Lion SMAHS 2016</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYIn5VqziAd7vBUX54zIYsb9cRwW134c9ZMuEFIpQmupNv8rbCRGay5FQvJnThrjeyFZ6zFGBswu36NlXLrkc3MB1FKt1u7dADoezbJTihAeN7hYpdO5RjSTfVTKAf5SnTzJfx8emS8uC/s1600/Moon%252C+Elk+and+Bluebirds+101+copy+%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYIn5VqziAd7vBUX54zIYsb9cRwW134c9ZMuEFIpQmupNv8rbCRGay5FQvJnThrjeyFZ6zFGBswu36NlXLrkc3MB1FKt1u7dADoezbJTihAeN7hYpdO5RjSTfVTKAf5SnTzJfx8emS8uC/s640/Moon%252C+Elk+and+Bluebirds+101+copy+%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Artwork by Breanna Marconi SMAHS 2016</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGKuIKAhbhWZrFskTvVtvocLf5vAWu2GEJSwOEps6Z7PwKy9IFpwCHWvZIpp_ZzO9K0Oxw0vcaGyKa-Qm4sbsOsJ53LLJMV0G4PftYhlCUGG8jYPD5yXA7pk_q8EdZSjMcdEq3lXYEFEq/s1600/Moon%252C+Elk+and+Bluebirds+104+copy+%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGKuIKAhbhWZrFskTvVtvocLf5vAWu2GEJSwOEps6Z7PwKy9IFpwCHWvZIpp_ZzO9K0Oxw0vcaGyKa-Qm4sbsOsJ53LLJMV0G4PftYhlCUGG8jYPD5yXA7pk_q8EdZSjMcdEq3lXYEFEq/s640/Moon%252C+Elk+and+Bluebirds+104+copy+%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Artwork by Rebecca Kleppinger SMAHS 2016</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8cHjT8pthFCgY76nhSGNtfNguUXG7ACMfRMuswdXBn4PdhxN4F2tHniReafFVxeW5yBshyMGC3YuUFIFmibYJF5YwSmaED_wnQRAcwgD5tCEvWRE3NMujM8DmXYRwZ_8y5gjFzoqYFE3/s1600/Moon%252C+Elk+and+Bluebirds+102+copy+%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8cHjT8pthFCgY76nhSGNtfNguUXG7ACMfRMuswdXBn4PdhxN4F2tHniReafFVxeW5yBshyMGC3YuUFIFmibYJF5YwSmaED_wnQRAcwgD5tCEvWRE3NMujM8DmXYRwZ_8y5gjFzoqYFE3/s640/Moon%252C+Elk+and+Bluebirds+102+copy+%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Artwork by Dawson Lion SMAHS 2016</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How's that for some really cool stuff from our area students! It's great too see our youth taking an interest in all that nature has to offer. I hope more people take a walk and check this trail out, you just never know what you might see. The trail will continually change due to the diversity of plant life up there. There is a small orchard, and a small wetland, with bluebird boxes as well as an American Kestrel nesting box. There are cold season and warm season grasses, wildflowers and clover. I am hoping the birds and butterflies will discover the treasures up there and make this an annual stopping place. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's a couple more images that should help to demonstrate all the cool things that you can see up on the trail if you just keep your eyes open.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbahfpgXmmrlTRi2FFqX-3AtZtcs-6_zrwoZxF8SR2HGgqCP4ku7X_-j19M4ZO40oSq0X-VZNzvUyrhqONssK_hDQ_Qrjji7sVVJEh2r_gosBMuzTfoi6Yv8BViMYmZEaG6AubX2g63RmH/s1600/Moon%252C+Elk+and+Bluebirds+082+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbahfpgXmmrlTRi2FFqX-3AtZtcs-6_zrwoZxF8SR2HGgqCP4ku7X_-j19M4ZO40oSq0X-VZNzvUyrhqONssK_hDQ_Qrjji7sVVJEh2r_gosBMuzTfoi6Yv8BViMYmZEaG6AubX2g63RmH/s640/Moon%252C+Elk+and+Bluebirds+082+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Like I said, you never know what you might see if you keep your eyes open. Look carefully at this picture and you will see what I mean.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMn4t9Y1P33E2cimezgD8j68RbnqCvPdJSpwmsQUqAnXCznzKM2SHEDKufgDRb8N7HVhEsDDaPruNvwK1PIcqS_w1v1coKLNP9WrIwWXJbF6Qx1IaprRJVdVjrTT50EGXgO8bcJ_7lrhhY/s1600/Moon%252C+Elk+and+Bluebirds+093+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMn4t9Y1P33E2cimezgD8j68RbnqCvPdJSpwmsQUqAnXCznzKM2SHEDKufgDRb8N7HVhEsDDaPruNvwK1PIcqS_w1v1coKLNP9WrIwWXJbF6Qx1IaprRJVdVjrTT50EGXgO8bcJ_7lrhhY/s640/Moon%252C+Elk+and+Bluebirds+093+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmk8cUA5wKGkm98FrdLUDO0HI5Slu6ZKUVAbvynqwI0IrypUBLp9w7W6ZaFOhi4lGu5hWUtJqGo7yw5el1djusav2NMM-fIFebxBonAuYmJdp8_R3RcTi9QFKri8wA4E3B75WTKJdCvI0c/s1600/Moon%252C+Elk+and+Bluebirds+097+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmk8cUA5wKGkm98FrdLUDO0HI5Slu6ZKUVAbvynqwI0IrypUBLp9w7W6ZaFOhi4lGu5hWUtJqGo7yw5el1djusav2NMM-fIFebxBonAuYmJdp8_R3RcTi9QFKri8wA4E3B75WTKJdCvI0c/s640/Moon%252C+Elk+and+Bluebirds+097+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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PaWingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04319593598322983193noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129320946148714431.post-48127569813861525702015-09-27T18:09:00.002-04:002015-10-02T11:40:04.193-04:00Rut Is Going On With Them Elk?<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Living just a short distance from Winslow Hill we tend to spend a lot of time up there soaking up the beauty and of course photographing the elk herd. While we do photograph them all times of the year, our favorite time happens in September when the elk rut goes full swing. This Blog Post will deal with the 2015 Elk Rut and anything related to that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Because of the recent changes up on the hill and surrounding areas we went into the 2015 rut with a lot of apprehension. In the spring of this year I gathered a select group of wildlife photographers and we met with the Pa Game Commission to discuss the subject of certain areas that would most likely become Restricted Areas. We met with them in the spring at the newly acquired Woodring Farm which was a joint purchase between the PGC and the RMEF. The plans for that property were not carved in stone at that time but there was discussion of a short hiking trail up to an overlook and possibly building a small building at the bottom for offices or headquarters. As it turned out they have constructed a viewing platform up at the overlook that is definitely awesome and worth checking out. Kudos to the PGC for this. At this meeting we also discussed the new parking lot project that was slated to be completed prior to the start of the rut. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In regard to the subject of new Restricted Areas up on the hill, emotions ran high but tempers were contained. We did appreciate the opportunity to discuss this and although we didn't change the world in regard to that subject, my opinion is that those changes didn't really negatively affect us to any great degree. Again, this is my opinion only! I believe we still have plenty of non restricted areas where we can photograph and I do believe that something had to be done up there because it was out of control.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Okay, I had mentioned that the other topic discussed was the Parking Lot project at the top of Dewey Road. I will not go into this at any length because I believe I have already been quite vocal on my feelings regarding this poor design which was very expensive and a complete failure. I will post a couple pictures to show what chaos this has caused and our fear is that someone is going to get hurt as a result of this botched design. Part of this plan was to eliminate the parking along Dewey Rd which was unnecessary and such a pity. This was the one place where older folks or people with disabilities could sit in their cars or by their cars and watch the elk. We will never understand why this was eliminated. While they say it was to reduce the chance of habituation of the elk, how does that explain making provisions for busses and how does that justify riding a wagon load of people through the elk herd up at the Visitor Center? And to add to this stupidity, they provide paved handicapped parking spots but yet gravel paths over to the viewing platform that most handicap people can't navigate. I just don't get it!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So enough about this, lets get to the pictures. I had posted on Facebook that I had some Elk Porn and I was on the fence whether I should post it on FB or not. It was suggested that I post those pics on my Blog so that is what I'm doing. If this offends anyone, scroll quickly past them. Thus far the 2015 rut has been a disappointment with a lot less bulls and very little competition for the cows. With the number of bull tags issued for this hunting season I suspect next year will be worse. We also have noticed a downturn in the number of calves this year. In my eyes, the future of Winslow Hill looks grim. I hope I'm wrong but I don't think so. The number of elk are way down up on the hill and the number of visitors are way up. I will also post pictures of stupid people with zero common sense.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Okay, here's some pics!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Se0d6mafTE6_3LnPTJV7Pr3v5JZ8sjBZ-mmhm6m2nJJdKNvFALZPxfZvE0cJ2FdVcPwdrr6r2gWvwOg3SgmuFnCS7-dUoRi7DUDJQvGBhPVP8wc4UG3LXyjAPQOM0sQXCrTkeaXK255M/s1600/pf0c2903+%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Se0d6mafTE6_3LnPTJV7Pr3v5JZ8sjBZ-mmhm6m2nJJdKNvFALZPxfZvE0cJ2FdVcPwdrr6r2gWvwOg3SgmuFnCS7-dUoRi7DUDJQvGBhPVP8wc4UG3LXyjAPQOM0sQXCrTkeaXK255M/s640/pf0c2903+%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here is a pic of the chaos that now exists at a place that used to be a nice setup. Our fear is that someone will get hit by a car because of this poorly designed project.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9NfMGc056fFU5SZGTCgcUna7WXykLlefenqh6Hx_-BxerU4C_4O8WTSJ5ovu5HkjqH57GGHYUdJViUHvEHyS7IU2wG7Mn30TxRkghHj2E4Eav0fQmBvmGPLztopM3OJuvwlgLwHFX8CEW/s1600/pf0c3003+%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9NfMGc056fFU5SZGTCgcUna7WXykLlefenqh6Hx_-BxerU4C_4O8WTSJ5ovu5HkjqH57GGHYUdJViUHvEHyS7IU2wG7Mn30TxRkghHj2E4Eav0fQmBvmGPLztopM3OJuvwlgLwHFX8CEW/s640/pf0c3003+%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This picture shows people with little kids walking down through a clearly signed Restricted Area.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX51sTipMa6y2kvPA6e1MdlAJDWwgnlBndweB_2W2CH2ZbDdBSAxfw9VAkGNMNfAZtTQMN_5QwqD0Z452yhwG1OoyuHOCY0gn_MP4QJxhYJokP92Xr7AIDOcjnx682QXDWv8gnB_Vw5LLp/s1600/2015+Sept+20+Elk+Rut+058+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX51sTipMa6y2kvPA6e1MdlAJDWwgnlBndweB_2W2CH2ZbDdBSAxfw9VAkGNMNfAZtTQMN_5QwqD0Z452yhwG1OoyuHOCY0gn_MP4QJxhYJokP92Xr7AIDOcjnx682QXDWv8gnB_Vw5LLp/s640/2015+Sept+20+Elk+Rut+058+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How's this for stupid! I was so afraid that this bull was going to go after this cell phone photographer. At one point this bull turned and headed toward this guy and I was afraid this was not going to be pretty.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRyTkWRb4XogKpXuVBA9a6VSv1i064lbbjihPps40jv8tv6Ddh4kFKRh5CcE2IkuVYM3zzwD21CvI8yxtqJf3t0LbpowsuWtyLnZGPzcNlt6XXdyfwyhAGfLmu7GvbHWhtmVuopzVTXqnN/s1600/2015+Sept+11+Winslow+Hill+050+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRyTkWRb4XogKpXuVBA9a6VSv1i064lbbjihPps40jv8tv6Ddh4kFKRh5CcE2IkuVYM3zzwD21CvI8yxtqJf3t0LbpowsuWtyLnZGPzcNlt6XXdyfwyhAGfLmu7GvbHWhtmVuopzVTXqnN/s640/2015+Sept+11+Winslow+Hill+050+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was the traffic situation at Woodring Farm.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBTbZ2cbR2LioLG-iE3KtND8qEyB_o1UE0BmukDcrAsyFCvTlSIpuo4MZjgVNZxvp7SWlbasWDCvE1fAHf-XmwpB2eX97Dr-1_1VMR55y7jkgkacVc5ZUdp9-3L__ebmHZDGlsCPW2rf56/s1600/2015+Sept+9+Viewing+Platform+001+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBTbZ2cbR2LioLG-iE3KtND8qEyB_o1UE0BmukDcrAsyFCvTlSIpuo4MZjgVNZxvp7SWlbasWDCvE1fAHf-XmwpB2eX97Dr-1_1VMR55y7jkgkacVc5ZUdp9-3L__ebmHZDGlsCPW2rf56/s640/2015+Sept+9+Viewing+Platform+001+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here is a picture that I contemplated whether I should post or not. If you watch the Live Elk Cam, this is the cam. I will not say where it is but we stumbled onto it by accident because we misinterpreted the Restricted Signs. We haven't checked to see if the signs have been changed but we still see people showing up on the Live Cam. We definitely will not go in there again.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2K42cfD0MVHthvEdvrKQmZWDuBlROa7mVlHeeaYVFQxOtOUAOgB536APb8JDXIEYse1jktUdG1ww_Wm1Y8C6gDpSjB9mmQd2b_Exp4vEMz-wn8Fp3bqSmx8yALJeXjId51oyx1ceWY7Ob/s1600/2015+Sept+9+Viewing+Platform+012+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2K42cfD0MVHthvEdvrKQmZWDuBlROa7mVlHeeaYVFQxOtOUAOgB536APb8JDXIEYse1jktUdG1ww_Wm1Y8C6gDpSjB9mmQd2b_Exp4vEMz-wn8Fp3bqSmx8yALJeXjId51oyx1ceWY7Ob/s640/2015+Sept+9+Viewing+Platform+012+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Do yourself a favor and walk up to this platform and enjoy the awesome view.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9CXPthtavVqQ9Idnkez6CwlSkaU4Yi8NW3ujJyH0aBIT70xZWQ6GDgyXQFCR0q5QQCz02j2HTJq8VZk0Rf1Z7xgG6os4bbJrVjFnRniabO2mqI7g8ZLqxN5zM8nNd2aXqUdeR_5W56FQu/s1600/2015+Sept+13+Goofy+Elk+004+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9CXPthtavVqQ9Idnkez6CwlSkaU4Yi8NW3ujJyH0aBIT70xZWQ6GDgyXQFCR0q5QQCz02j2HTJq8VZk0Rf1Z7xgG6os4bbJrVjFnRniabO2mqI7g8ZLqxN5zM8nNd2aXqUdeR_5W56FQu/s640/2015+Sept+13+Goofy+Elk+004+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We call this guy Goofy.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6qhiZg10_AclBmZBF6lmjxZIXztfyh92IK7-LfLrWJKD-kg39oQcvf7DLF_gzrPewADnBNdOxCIl-hlbQW63nJYMqJoJS_UdDY0KKP8vBxqiFHXWvEvmjJuyiBsWaRYM7eU6Ll-SVeCwj/s1600/2015+Sept+27+Winslow+Rut+027+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6qhiZg10_AclBmZBF6lmjxZIXztfyh92IK7-LfLrWJKD-kg39oQcvf7DLF_gzrPewADnBNdOxCIl-hlbQW63nJYMqJoJS_UdDY0KKP8vBxqiFHXWvEvmjJuyiBsWaRYM7eU6Ll-SVeCwj/s640/2015+Sept+27+Winslow+Rut+027+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> How about we swap a little spit big guy!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9CnA9OHlMQupINAsCgdsBTxF95VFxxKak6wVZKs0zz96OrZOFJxXXjrjdQbDINcC2sa3yH8ru4sFT2B9vic0e5sEl2Hvhkmjt3fQMOUTdRQA0-7dYQeUeJOscQFK9djdLqPdtZ1Q3Wrv/s1600/2015+Sept+27+Winslow+Rut+034+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9CnA9OHlMQupINAsCgdsBTxF95VFxxKak6wVZKs0zz96OrZOFJxXXjrjdQbDINcC2sa3yH8ru4sFT2B9vic0e5sEl2Hvhkmjt3fQMOUTdRQA0-7dYQeUeJOscQFK9djdLqPdtZ1Q3Wrv/s640/2015+Sept+27+Winslow+Rut+034+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Giddy up cowgirl!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-vbXkmZVVvlEFdp9YsfECQKNR2IalCkTrRmybLaHqF6yzc0_uGiwv5T2EUYVZLtOrtwfZV1cOXF6YLmeJAOcsgeZdVgs7h929kbffHHmoeMAVqgYqES_VDOtIa7rFfzRYwXa7EDcoOsY/s1600/2015+Sept+27+Winslow+Rut+060+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-vbXkmZVVvlEFdp9YsfECQKNR2IalCkTrRmybLaHqF6yzc0_uGiwv5T2EUYVZLtOrtwfZV1cOXF6YLmeJAOcsgeZdVgs7h929kbffHHmoeMAVqgYqES_VDOtIa7rFfzRYwXa7EDcoOsY/s640/2015+Sept+27+Winslow+Rut+060+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Okay, I promised Elk Porn, well here you be! Just so you don't think badly of this big fella, she did consent to this.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOPqyRgEfwOBrG27DTfZNMn6S7xZbwz_hAzAqWy5p7k-Y2dMCZAoByXeFTZ3C3oX2ETtG_xuSaOUr6oRaVr5UZP8_2O28qVzyuPVzW2VPmA8LcHOdQBZXrT2MS81BEPEjouXUUoFX5IdfA/s1600/12036961_1159836117377660_5323248033145741965_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOPqyRgEfwOBrG27DTfZNMn6S7xZbwz_hAzAqWy5p7k-Y2dMCZAoByXeFTZ3C3oX2ETtG_xuSaOUr6oRaVr5UZP8_2O28qVzyuPVzW2VPmA8LcHOdQBZXrT2MS81BEPEjouXUUoFX5IdfA/s640/12036961_1159836117377660_5323248033145741965_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I guess I couldn't resist taking a shot at Bruce Jenner.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvKGcG3xWpaGWk1IWuWYKEb7w6_iTDroc96YucCqbR_YzpSqFiw3EffqA7ZOZOZ2ZZ_4h5_iVPmV5yhmdmkSNqWLZcnF1cVp60mvK0gxhed_NIVIrVL6omO1hH_4lA10yaHVfanTKn_4-/s1600/2015+Sept+27+Winslow+Rut+061+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvKGcG3xWpaGWk1IWuWYKEb7w6_iTDroc96YucCqbR_YzpSqFiw3EffqA7ZOZOZ2ZZ_4h5_iVPmV5yhmdmkSNqWLZcnF1cVp60mvK0gxhed_NIVIrVL6omO1hH_4lA10yaHVfanTKn_4-/s640/2015+Sept+27+Winslow+Rut+061+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hello sweetheart!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwr1CnEIAyxqAOMxqTmCIkS62vq9bEhhpdQiv3MFV0KGmDG0Q0Y6a7GdD5Vs_kKar58SMy1Ww2tRI3wnDpbFyd0T_KK4e3rJlsunotbMp0URqQrJY0zvVlPCW9_4BW2OKRcdbYuLpjw1vQ/s1600/2015+Sept+27+Winslow+Rut+085+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwr1CnEIAyxqAOMxqTmCIkS62vq9bEhhpdQiv3MFV0KGmDG0Q0Y6a7GdD5Vs_kKar58SMy1Ww2tRI3wnDpbFyd0T_KK4e3rJlsunotbMp0URqQrJY0zvVlPCW9_4BW2OKRcdbYuLpjw1vQ/s640/2015+Sept+27+Winslow+Rut+085+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How about a little cuddling first?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3sFMNVXXvSFhGHBJzbpFCmUs7VJdb0fUOJ2qxcnFTxTYpvKhADoQJqUEyuk-AZ49YAaSJ7Dwjoql2rG2yJqlCEr9R6iJh_NA0Uo85Nbw4sYtEXgO5cziyMNVm1L-_f1mIZAxlIZDoamWY/s1600/2015+Sept+25+Elk+rut+021+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3sFMNVXXvSFhGHBJzbpFCmUs7VJdb0fUOJ2qxcnFTxTYpvKhADoQJqUEyuk-AZ49YAaSJ7Dwjoql2rG2yJqlCEr9R6iJh_NA0Uo85Nbw4sYtEXgO5cziyMNVm1L-_f1mIZAxlIZDoamWY/s640/2015+Sept+25+Elk+rut+021+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This fella is on a mission and the mission is romance.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN4PrlMBygm9cjyW64OIjyEa8tL4cHXxMZgyCpaJ_E4926y3KAlRaA8B29yM6LDdwKh_jHbx07cMD5wpTvFNTNc2QzyOWeajZBDgipJwc8cyA_ft0I77viNUNC0RrENkjI83KDfVDLlh-E/s1600/2015+Sept+25+Elk+rut+030+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN4PrlMBygm9cjyW64OIjyEa8tL4cHXxMZgyCpaJ_E4926y3KAlRaA8B29yM6LDdwKh_jHbx07cMD5wpTvFNTNc2QzyOWeajZBDgipJwc8cyA_ft0I77viNUNC0RrENkjI83KDfVDLlh-E/s640/2015+Sept+25+Elk+rut+030+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbkIrrDOXsWMglCSefcmpx5j_9v0jbbodMDsVV54BAfaKrOKU0G2QGAoHmjD1e96rwxuJchnsvsxk-refMuRAcOVu75g_9CigAqG6rWldBS2inObU9nYkL4PcDOzm217THUasTWr0ASN0M/s1600/2015+Sept+25+Elk+rut+047+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbkIrrDOXsWMglCSefcmpx5j_9v0jbbodMDsVV54BAfaKrOKU0G2QGAoHmjD1e96rwxuJchnsvsxk-refMuRAcOVu75g_9CigAqG6rWldBS2inObU9nYkL4PcDOzm217THUasTWr0ASN0M/s640/2015+Sept+25+Elk+rut+047+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMFNKo-MxUf76Kgqlh0syuoMYVUgPBMStpNF3zANZhXdY1Ps5NFsGRRKgdibJf2v3fzHgv7ioF5hqMSBXVv8QH-6J2Jm4Ybb0vqalbYOeITDWlcF3DAKlf-shfTh-ZJgo6FdKLTS6R2FPD/s1600/2015+Sept+25+Elk+rut+011+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMFNKo-MxUf76Kgqlh0syuoMYVUgPBMStpNF3zANZhXdY1Ps5NFsGRRKgdibJf2v3fzHgv7ioF5hqMSBXVv8QH-6J2Jm4Ybb0vqalbYOeITDWlcF3DAKlf-shfTh-ZJgo6FdKLTS6R2FPD/s640/2015+Sept+25+Elk+rut+011+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What an awesome rack! I fear he won't make it through the hunting season.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYsv20l_X9yKxy4Lu1gEiYsLWF0WrzFzQMUI-xNvHkTv105b7B7XN6ihI2QmAT7y9uR8B9uh0WXY9yM4ylSmL47J-7G4BrmuhHDBJ822lqsg4Q7WIxc9x5p8ZVBRo9zndjFe87JKyFkMj/s1600/2015+Sept+24+Winslow+Hill+Rut+017+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYsv20l_X9yKxy4Lu1gEiYsLWF0WrzFzQMUI-xNvHkTv105b7B7XN6ihI2QmAT7y9uR8B9uh0WXY9yM4ylSmL47J-7G4BrmuhHDBJ822lqsg4Q7WIxc9x5p8ZVBRo9zndjFe87JKyFkMj/s640/2015+Sept+24+Winslow+Hill+Rut+017+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Okay, everybody up!</span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLid6asPR2jxYPUohsM64iIUnovsQGzEzB1ZT7lKcew1DduShXHv_G7jb9l5_vr_XF68OX18_DvEgjGQ-WTXHmO_Q8qf7uDOWGCyG-TFqpDIqSvHla0mteDHOLKNeuIckIFo7to8dN3Elj/s1600/2015+Sept+24+Winslow+Hill+Rut+040+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLid6asPR2jxYPUohsM64iIUnovsQGzEzB1ZT7lKcew1DduShXHv_G7jb9l5_vr_XF68OX18_DvEgjGQ-WTXHmO_Q8qf7uDOWGCyG-TFqpDIqSvHla0mteDHOLKNeuIckIFo7to8dN3Elj/s640/2015+Sept+24+Winslow+Hill+Rut+040+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDJOw0-RhRYDnigLRrkb-5W3ysIcZLBPI7_VSEuUxB-cHcwaRqEmPjxKyuScA_C38xt4mAPoiaZsXVHUsHyJ44ynUyEbgdZZsk_HfGWYOX2k7RrXg3cXxUtdTqN77MBRkOwTv2YPASQvpp/s1600/2015+Sept+22+Elk+Rut+001+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDJOw0-RhRYDnigLRrkb-5W3ysIcZLBPI7_VSEuUxB-cHcwaRqEmPjxKyuScA_C38xt4mAPoiaZsXVHUsHyJ44ynUyEbgdZZsk_HfGWYOX2k7RrXg3cXxUtdTqN77MBRkOwTv2YPASQvpp/s640/2015+Sept+22+Elk+Rut+001+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">This big fella was a bit on the ornery side and went right after another bull that was trying to get away with stealing a couple cows.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9uTiC-ho6XljP0YqiMq8885min-UnGqhioS_j0-MAktMY04Ajsb3EJ7wcK9FMxozo-tTx8SBl5pCQh15-3OugN1elRcXI58jGez4rWiADNF_2Q9lN6_WWvic7HDOJLU5ZYn9dWbgQdMQ/s1600/2015+Sept+22+Elk+Rut+013+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9uTiC-ho6XljP0YqiMq8885min-UnGqhioS_j0-MAktMY04Ajsb3EJ7wcK9FMxozo-tTx8SBl5pCQh15-3OugN1elRcXI58jGez4rWiADNF_2Q9lN6_WWvic7HDOJLU5ZYn9dWbgQdMQ/s640/2015+Sept+22+Elk+Rut+013+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Check out the little decoration on his head.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt9vtiYmVQA1Zx8y_3lPeDp33YyvkstiUcrSmJ3T5S7YvrWG93Iw6fgBWcuJgSZrxo6enGwc4tO4LM_iDMqUPpJ7UyuAJ7Ui81xvlMN67-_PtQlJ9FtaPDp6OT_CUyL6Qq1BOE5oP7zVGO/s1600/2015+Sept+22+Elk+Rut+031+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt9vtiYmVQA1Zx8y_3lPeDp33YyvkstiUcrSmJ3T5S7YvrWG93Iw6fgBWcuJgSZrxo6enGwc4tO4LM_iDMqUPpJ7UyuAJ7Ui81xvlMN67-_PtQlJ9FtaPDp6OT_CUyL6Qq1BOE5oP7zVGO/s640/2015+Sept+22+Elk+Rut+031+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He's in charge mode!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6JreW4KBL5UaMOnjupHiKPOjqZjDoxBE2xJaa03dUXh3vtPsGVUahp5B32iOL-zT1k2qjo4emc_IB2zSgMFyee036AdOoBetHic8VhCOurojXhKVuZAByWbWuBoxKZaGwVwzIU-MUCr4o/s1600/2015+Sept+22+Elk+Rut+039+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6JreW4KBL5UaMOnjupHiKPOjqZjDoxBE2xJaa03dUXh3vtPsGVUahp5B32iOL-zT1k2qjo4emc_IB2zSgMFyee036AdOoBetHic8VhCOurojXhKVuZAByWbWuBoxKZaGwVwzIU-MUCr4o/s640/2015+Sept+22+Elk+Rut+039+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I actually think the green brings out my eyes.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-URqcxQ-pO7JZXBQTKFaNhHh3Jfmh2oFHzZFtCadCVvDUHt0-qyKvQpkGao_DUrOUe1_74_r3QoftGTkQhiIQx6zktnx6cSYatHdbgMjjgqeOa5GMEVLB7Xsq-XRehOsKMBZ2b7-G71wZ/s1600/2015+Sept+22+Elk+Rut+066+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-URqcxQ-pO7JZXBQTKFaNhHh3Jfmh2oFHzZFtCadCVvDUHt0-qyKvQpkGao_DUrOUe1_74_r3QoftGTkQhiIQx6zktnx6cSYatHdbgMjjgqeOa5GMEVLB7Xsq-XRehOsKMBZ2b7-G71wZ/s640/2015+Sept+22+Elk+Rut+066+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Typically the golden light is a photographers best friend but not always. I think it was my foe rather than my friend in this photo</span>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7CPziavQ4ANVD9wGpmCZYbTlNA_t1U5s5QAUYx5V6UsKSsr7gZfGjwqd0MVxpayziAiwmycbgpaUpIwmo9P3CfazKXWqwgTu2MY7a8Bv2QUhE8YWC0BX-iJWpMEGDNsR-svKCmIXQiOG5/s1600/2015+Sept+22+Elk+Rut+081+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7CPziavQ4ANVD9wGpmCZYbTlNA_t1U5s5QAUYx5V6UsKSsr7gZfGjwqd0MVxpayziAiwmycbgpaUpIwmo9P3CfazKXWqwgTu2MY7a8Bv2QUhE8YWC0BX-iJWpMEGDNsR-svKCmIXQiOG5/s640/2015+Sept+22+Elk+Rut+081+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Just a hint of the golden light helped to illuminate this scene.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNJBu13SeRYSEdrVdnzfNSab2fR8wNUAjuKHun1TGEWFlp1cW7ytDzGbNKp6Z4zPQmKMgRTYIoVbXJ9zPWqz1cNVI7QjulJHL3OWW7Xg54kpHNmIPdEmvloNDsyQJDeL_wpjOsYcudUXW/s1600/2015+Sept+22+Elk+Rut+086+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNJBu13SeRYSEdrVdnzfNSab2fR8wNUAjuKHun1TGEWFlp1cW7ytDzGbNKp6Z4zPQmKMgRTYIoVbXJ9zPWqz1cNVI7QjulJHL3OWW7Xg54kpHNmIPdEmvloNDsyQJDeL_wpjOsYcudUXW/s640/2015+Sept+22+Elk+Rut+086+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQFnCeWvq12BTlLEM1s2kBNs0bDXqeLXOvR6Nj0tNKzwdGHZeH5cz5rTWAUa1i6R0K-dry3zPkGtl1cWoFiCYD2uI53_z6UR2j0f2nFGqyfmqZYrg4yQgb-wkKoq8L4XXrHSiCQ-Zq95w/s1600/2015+Sept+22+Elk+Rut+098+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQFnCeWvq12BTlLEM1s2kBNs0bDXqeLXOvR6Nj0tNKzwdGHZeH5cz5rTWAUa1i6R0K-dry3zPkGtl1cWoFiCYD2uI53_z6UR2j0f2nFGqyfmqZYrg4yQgb-wkKoq8L4XXrHSiCQ-Zq95w/s640/2015+Sept+22+Elk+Rut+098+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He lets out the mighty bugle but he sure isn't a Limpy!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuylWqr2I03gDbsDmh8Rp50XO-6BY_OZzvUEWFkxA7WNcqkB7shLTXA-vNuRNEUE_RQsWvSEOP5slAoDKM_zKvF-BQymUdTy9kpvmRquHuYNTTii45Y2PlJE9I_FnOV6KPrswcShhp7XlJ/s1600/2015+Sept+22+Elk+Rut+103+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuylWqr2I03gDbsDmh8Rp50XO-6BY_OZzvUEWFkxA7WNcqkB7shLTXA-vNuRNEUE_RQsWvSEOP5slAoDKM_zKvF-BQymUdTy9kpvmRquHuYNTTii45Y2PlJE9I_FnOV6KPrswcShhp7XlJ/s640/2015+Sept+22+Elk+Rut+103+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Raking a little hay.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9HnBYBJj4zKH7qTxW5F_vM9umXuwQ17YmP331rHHd9z8HzSsPv0kkyvfbVEbuSXhYJYimz5k4NTqeLQzPRE3AXA6ejda7FtuYaqQui8ZFQzzd2Y9SNvv4j0imiALXdCntzfdt2hDUnSb/s1600/2015+Sept+22+Elk+Rut+104+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9HnBYBJj4zKH7qTxW5F_vM9umXuwQ17YmP331rHHd9z8HzSsPv0kkyvfbVEbuSXhYJYimz5k4NTqeLQzPRE3AXA6ejda7FtuYaqQui8ZFQzzd2Y9SNvv4j0imiALXdCntzfdt2hDUnSb/s640/2015+Sept+22+Elk+Rut+104+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I just couldn't resist posting this photo.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some photos need no words!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As the rut moves forward, broken antlers become a common sight.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgYi7tGtfVZQqHt2gyWTWsoE0GvyxLQVEpbzcZUsObCpMOWspX9_GWxk-zR5mqrCRRkEFdzGJWA3cMNdh7_9vJkYJ2fluuHc-vd_4WeTwNA_Od1uVtQAlYP60Qd1kuASMo1O4nK1kUZgb/s1600/2015+Sept+22+Elk+Rut+132+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgYi7tGtfVZQqHt2gyWTWsoE0GvyxLQVEpbzcZUsObCpMOWspX9_GWxk-zR5mqrCRRkEFdzGJWA3cMNdh7_9vJkYJ2fluuHc-vd_4WeTwNA_Od1uVtQAlYP60Qd1kuASMo1O4nK1kUZgb/s640/2015+Sept+22+Elk+Rut+132+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This big guy bid us goodnight and I said, see you in the morning.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I know I have mentioned this many times before but it bears repeating. Several of the pictures appear to have been taken at very close range but that is not the case at all. I shoot with long lenses that put me quite a distance form the animals. I do not condone trying to see how close I can get to the Elk or any wildlife that I photograph.</span></div>
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PaWingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04319593598322983193noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129320946148714431.post-38908776394442965682015-06-13T18:22:00.002-04:002015-06-13T18:22:21.148-04:00Exploring a New World<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">After a long hard winter, the snow melts away, a hint of green begins to color the hillsides, tiny flowers pop up from the forest floor and the woodlands are alive with new life. It's an exciting time for many, but for a wildlife photographer it can present a plethora of opportunities to capture images of young critters beginning their new life. These opportunities don't come knocking on your door and will require hours upon hours of sitting, waiting and watching. All the hours invested are more than worth it if you go home with even one keeper shot on your memory card. While all the tiny critters in nature are cuter than a button, Fox pups are one of our favorites. The cool thing about photographing Fox pups is that aside from taking their pictures, they are just an absolute riot to watch. This particular spring we spent countless hours watching a few different dens and were rewarded with lots of keeper photos. It is so cool to photograph them as they explore their new world. Hope you enjoy the photos. We sure enjoyed our time with these little pups and made all the hours more than worthwhile.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Gotta admit, Fox pups are pretty darn cute!!</span></div>
PaWingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04319593598322983193noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129320946148714431.post-17784304296611647042015-06-13T16:54:00.002-04:002015-06-13T17:20:23.909-04:00Marvels of the Marsh<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I contemplated naming this newest post in a different way by playing on the letter "M" but decided against it. It was going to be called "Multitudes of Marvels in Magee Marsh in Mid May". The more I thought about it the more it sounded silly and that just wouldn't be my style. Okay, the truth is I already gave it a title and I was too lazy to redo it. Alrighty then, let's get this post rolling downhill.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">In mid May, my wife and I headed to a place that had somehow escaped our attention thus far. We loaded up our gear and headed out to a location that is situated smack dab between Port Clinton and Toledo and on the shore of Lake Erie right along Rt 2. As we approached this area we couldn't help but notice that this has to be a hotbed of activity for all kinds of shorebirds, raptors and ducks. There appeared to be lakes, ponds and wetlands pretty much everywhere. While the whole area should provide opportunities for bird and wildlife opportunities, our destinations would be Magee Marsh and the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge and the main focus was to photograph the Warbler migration. We hadn't been long before it became apparent that there were many more photographic opportunities than just the Warblers. As you read this blog entry you will see this for yourself. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">One thing that we discovered immediately is that we would regret having only two days in this amazing area. The marsh area was huge and we only explored a small part of it. Magee Marsh encompasses 2200 acres and Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge has 9,000 acres of marsh, open water, and both wooded and coastal wetlands. We were absolutely in awe and used every minute of light in the short time that we had allotted ourselves. In fact, we actually used a little too much time on the first night and nearly got trapped behind a locked gate. That was a tense moment! We vowed to definitely visit this place again and can't wait.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Okay, at this point we'll get to posting some pictures and stop with the rambling. If there is anything real noteworthy on the pictures I will comment on them and try to identify what I can but we are very new at this Warbler thing. If you stick with me to the conclusion of this Blog entry you will read a bit of belly aching on my behalf in regard to a nearby eyesore in this place of beauty and possible accident waiting to happen. Now onto the Marvels of the Marsh.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEissiewpDlClFy9O-DZnHY-KE1fESRBUfCzbiDhiFXNlN4jRP0_zmgdbbgOu25xKmnoNjuNQjD1JMyt_qep9FE5Y7bumUamzPX_cMPtwOzWLQCcYMSZ3C1p8AIYaNYTV6tfNZ7eg9Y1WwWs/s1600/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+085+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEissiewpDlClFy9O-DZnHY-KE1fESRBUfCzbiDhiFXNlN4jRP0_zmgdbbgOu25xKmnoNjuNQjD1JMyt_qep9FE5Y7bumUamzPX_cMPtwOzWLQCcYMSZ3C1p8AIYaNYTV6tfNZ7eg9Y1WwWs/s640/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+085+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I know what you're thinking, these aren't Warblers and you would be right. These are Great White Egrets and since we typically might be lucky enough to see one per year, we couldn't pass them by without grabbing a few images. Most of the opportunities were toward sunset so action shots posed quite a challenge.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9C08xo7fYZFNw6bP0RbeUtRAO4fLd7UoDI2Fzvl-j_FG_-z5FKo0bx4EUFgJovR1Ivs41mQmjYP8vw5AmRZlDPUAlL0_z5pAL5kyO0u2ArDgE9dkasbwg3K8__wrI7_54APz6PuE7yoRJ/s1600/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+123+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9C08xo7fYZFNw6bP0RbeUtRAO4fLd7UoDI2Fzvl-j_FG_-z5FKo0bx4EUFgJovR1Ivs41mQmjYP8vw5AmRZlDPUAlL0_z5pAL5kyO0u2ArDgE9dkasbwg3K8__wrI7_54APz6PuE7yoRJ/s640/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+123+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I believe this is a Virginia Rail</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiQ4AtY3frDUBXB8o0_N1NiHP0sq08gw04lyAdrc6kSiIqw2oEi18OcVzFx5gtqm4WwNnqrsc2ueGQKgMkQFagGlTxZYSYmpXYITJGokcPh1jXK3qs82khLe9T6BwREa1tcLaXgDnW-juH/s1600/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+132+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiQ4AtY3frDUBXB8o0_N1NiHP0sq08gw04lyAdrc6kSiIqw2oEi18OcVzFx5gtqm4WwNnqrsc2ueGQKgMkQFagGlTxZYSYmpXYITJGokcPh1jXK3qs82khLe9T6BwREa1tcLaXgDnW-juH/s640/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+132+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> Muskrat</span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwt7adzgB1wMPGfhmjWeSMdK5r5NNXVekofsZ0ggo8UUE5GApklK91JhoqQQ_n751e3Sps6-QAJsnwvqmwarBKW-jKDiJVzNMUE0ZQYaY_gJddPI4Zn_-D3g_io6veTBbzLucT_0MM9pms/s1600/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+147+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwt7adzgB1wMPGfhmjWeSMdK5r5NNXVekofsZ0ggo8UUE5GApklK91JhoqQQ_n751e3Sps6-QAJsnwvqmwarBKW-jKDiJVzNMUE0ZQYaY_gJddPI4Zn_-D3g_io6veTBbzLucT_0MM9pms/s640/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+147+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="446" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I thought this was cool.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6v1gCLJVCr3fuCmY5Uaz5DxWrcTLio98tJ5A5VvVx7MscZc47pjUrxRJ18ACVDyyRbxvJNLJseWSjHN1Aqyd8NZzFTJbLSzPtNR2mKfFlrj99QD_c-w7pp0uuFuFHBQO0FDD5u-NQ8FLH/s1600/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+155+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6v1gCLJVCr3fuCmY5Uaz5DxWrcTLio98tJ5A5VvVx7MscZc47pjUrxRJ18ACVDyyRbxvJNLJseWSjHN1Aqyd8NZzFTJbLSzPtNR2mKfFlrj99QD_c-w7pp0uuFuFHBQO0FDD5u-NQ8FLH/s640/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+155+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Snapping Turtle out for a jog</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHiBJCgiugQAbOmCHPYN-PzGtCscAoKo4jCA2AOf9a0rc7C26ZC0WdwgaMoM-7aOTtcx-ch6gUPx7KDEHWyQkqyQdHDZftrGUt1y3BmWK6PFVYPlPoFEvzzk6eJrQsVTxDjF9NuGUpgZYj/s1600/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+160+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHiBJCgiugQAbOmCHPYN-PzGtCscAoKo4jCA2AOf9a0rc7C26ZC0WdwgaMoM-7aOTtcx-ch6gUPx7KDEHWyQkqyQdHDZftrGUt1y3BmWK6PFVYPlPoFEvzzk6eJrQsVTxDjF9NuGUpgZYj/s640/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+160+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">These shorebirds are rather common and are called Dunlins.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGF_tVi4rpRQpfriBMsTv6N6S7sr0LkSWTpMFm0VOoqLmax_V0iMd3Q1gRu_Jz8R0ro9iifYrFm7HR0BfXJZdONUOrXjG5tw7PdzdO1KIC2Uu_5VjZzeg6QWmugXr7jqKRXVoOvoLdbECu/s1600/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+304+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGF_tVi4rpRQpfriBMsTv6N6S7sr0LkSWTpMFm0VOoqLmax_V0iMd3Q1gRu_Jz8R0ro9iifYrFm7HR0BfXJZdONUOrXjG5tw7PdzdO1KIC2Uu_5VjZzeg6QWmugXr7jqKRXVoOvoLdbECu/s640/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+304+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There was lots of Poison Ivy</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlr1XEntlDpCcw3ms7_7J3eG2lhVRyr_qzQr67UdXBTjTqrzcavD04dtiuFpthodEaM1KBQLHEXIpE8rQ86SQPc0RfLqddGY7U128BxvWI6FfV0rKWvBexu1Pk-JQejgN2tZ8wjpSxWjYQ/s1600/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+572+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlr1XEntlDpCcw3ms7_7J3eG2lhVRyr_qzQr67UdXBTjTqrzcavD04dtiuFpthodEaM1KBQLHEXIpE8rQ86SQPc0RfLqddGY7U128BxvWI6FfV0rKWvBexu1Pk-JQejgN2tZ8wjpSxWjYQ/s640/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+572+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPx43xDipXedP58mS_TFXqd-5c-FOcEF03obe9EOtc8d9RjJUYbpGWPRHlCunCO1R2jlHehbuLy2iQHrLqnQsjO89VKyrPC8_4weFm0Tnbs4WRmpjgFwOYZNcr6H4u1Pz8tCxK88QTEggP/s1600/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+655+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPx43xDipXedP58mS_TFXqd-5c-FOcEF03obe9EOtc8d9RjJUYbpGWPRHlCunCO1R2jlHehbuLy2iQHrLqnQsjO89VKyrPC8_4weFm0Tnbs4WRmpjgFwOYZNcr6H4u1Pz8tCxK88QTEggP/s640/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+655+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Painted Turtles sunning on a log</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMrqdC7AXQEsY_WMa1gOHiMnMcRw5AdQhumDKxiTFsXTTaYVfKf0bzgURx9A8VBr-AvjhHvlmOxE6omcQv2VLJtKHbt2GJCgGR3lgrV4lXR2xb1PMhgOf89SgMrSsZGHu7CaI36K4a-mFX/s1600/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+660+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMrqdC7AXQEsY_WMa1gOHiMnMcRw5AdQhumDKxiTFsXTTaYVfKf0bzgURx9A8VBr-AvjhHvlmOxE6omcQv2VLJtKHbt2GJCgGR3lgrV4lXR2xb1PMhgOf89SgMrSsZGHu7CaI36K4a-mFX/s640/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+660+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is a Trumpeter Swan sitting on the nest.</span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv3Z6cOOsiTfyYoRdGjCX0IigqRs8edfuUno25Lzy2L-whd95QORpnSO79MeRjHKNPASfYBkln4UaX6AyKKUrJO4HGErLnP7kj2j7Ys1HdAhoxhfCSCK-FgkYgPu96bRjVianvQ9YpPHsZ/s1600/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+148+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv3Z6cOOsiTfyYoRdGjCX0IigqRs8edfuUno25Lzy2L-whd95QORpnSO79MeRjHKNPASfYBkln4UaX6AyKKUrJO4HGErLnP7kj2j7Ys1HdAhoxhfCSCK-FgkYgPu96bRjVianvQ9YpPHsZ/s640/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+148+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yellow Warbler</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSODMZYDnYSNIQEB-mcOvm8H9oBbPev6fC8HDLebLHBIAat_fxUD8itlAJ3-CmJeHwwRgOi8nxZIdZlcT4bHMqGqwClfw8hNCL30fIHHt1H_l2x1K8iQC__PybSVyHOtq4l8Gm8EuTpe6/s1600/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+277+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSODMZYDnYSNIQEB-mcOvm8H9oBbPev6fC8HDLebLHBIAat_fxUD8itlAJ3-CmJeHwwRgOi8nxZIdZlcT4bHMqGqwClfw8hNCL30fIHHt1H_l2x1K8iQC__PybSVyHOtq4l8Gm8EuTpe6/s640/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+277+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> American Redstart</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7w_Riatd4fJslpBPJ6jjxh3p6DmvAqPqinrScadjAEU-xdTYyX_sNf1x1w-1s9nb2Vi_kI3bAFrj879hU1HVidTwfYfgFAbTy9jyAi4cAdOfQV4hHjhDSNx0BzLUuBqeSi1FfwZnxaANx/s1600/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+333+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7w_Riatd4fJslpBPJ6jjxh3p6DmvAqPqinrScadjAEU-xdTYyX_sNf1x1w-1s9nb2Vi_kI3bAFrj879hU1HVidTwfYfgFAbTy9jyAi4cAdOfQV4hHjhDSNx0BzLUuBqeSi1FfwZnxaANx/s640/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+333+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> Black Throated Green Warbler</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXPOjt4WSBwD8z4XEnEU3at0ILIlxZtCUHjTVjuZEBhkwmZydPjX09-Lm6H4Kw1y-ddchC5BMJicfdlArDV0xIyRs9s77_GVfizf2OaIwoGxqI9OBhpSVYPEc-dChiWAKU85-1XOKp3r8n/s1600/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+334+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXPOjt4WSBwD8z4XEnEU3at0ILIlxZtCUHjTVjuZEBhkwmZydPjX09-Lm6H4Kw1y-ddchC5BMJicfdlArDV0xIyRs9s77_GVfizf2OaIwoGxqI9OBhpSVYPEc-dChiWAKU85-1XOKp3r8n/s640/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+334+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ7T74iF-LHScYa4b_tLm5bDn5g02O4yQf3veYVlAQ76s_yoezl8VL0ayVp1bdIpBe_8yjVp06q8KJ1DK7ihaUYz3UDonXjV_n2S6SbTXS-Ec52kxz7AQDF9A2zgNvkDCG12T3S68FvKjQ/s1600/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+356+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ7T74iF-LHScYa4b_tLm5bDn5g02O4yQf3veYVlAQ76s_yoezl8VL0ayVp1bdIpBe_8yjVp06q8KJ1DK7ihaUYz3UDonXjV_n2S6SbTXS-Ec52kxz7AQDF9A2zgNvkDCG12T3S68FvKjQ/s640/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+356+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHjKovJhHU-ywJWYiZBeD3hoBXZ6fFm636-wKH41mIh5B6_auVCDtqVuK8TBknIjCZ3vNVt7Lgd6SfV1t5KIry_W86s2qp9aUYpy-SGwgy0wG3bGTaapDHDkOT5RVJhsVYvrJDxB3HhP4o/s1600/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+384+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHjKovJhHU-ywJWYiZBeD3hoBXZ6fFm636-wKH41mIh5B6_auVCDtqVuK8TBknIjCZ3vNVt7Lgd6SfV1t5KIry_W86s2qp9aUYpy-SGwgy0wG3bGTaapDHDkOT5RVJhsVYvrJDxB3HhP4o/s640/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+384+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> American Redstart butt</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDN6_aNduZDTE9-UooAgUnkBi3zuOFr42LW9rSBexOz1X4wZF33Cr0hTv1zEGrJkMzxt3unB_a8-MFXrg3ndLCKbSixycffST4cHiYbPjpckkR13S6COzi6QRwAX8RBNjkULnaGiIcLtcF/s1600/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+408+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDN6_aNduZDTE9-UooAgUnkBi3zuOFr42LW9rSBexOz1X4wZF33Cr0hTv1zEGrJkMzxt3unB_a8-MFXrg3ndLCKbSixycffST4cHiYbPjpckkR13S6COzi6QRwAX8RBNjkULnaGiIcLtcF/s640/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+408+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJgWW8D0tdmCZlXup7JCF7LhzOeT6Co-3KsYZKPk4vmBeMmajyNgXBqQKK7GpJAaRQpVD9dutmFA6haaDqVx7pIv9hJA9TnfpyBXWJDZ3YHZjCASbIEjkSZ4vfDSKUIyhhET2ksOotUZ3/s1600/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+470+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJgWW8D0tdmCZlXup7JCF7LhzOeT6Co-3KsYZKPk4vmBeMmajyNgXBqQKK7GpJAaRQpVD9dutmFA6haaDqVx7pIv9hJA9TnfpyBXWJDZ3YHZjCASbIEjkSZ4vfDSKUIyhhET2ksOotUZ3/s640/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+470+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Chestnut Sided Warbler</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88zKT4t28yxnSRf8-JsZQScr6tQ92jd43BK2u00tvHyFWoYmrZN59D6817umaCZB44o2OsxH8ofHqKIUsrsx5gvToTtn-2651FmyNqtDydKMXnEumYsW74igDwGW19X646wOWrD9w-Woc/s1600/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+471+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88zKT4t28yxnSRf8-JsZQScr6tQ92jd43BK2u00tvHyFWoYmrZN59D6817umaCZB44o2OsxH8ofHqKIUsrsx5gvToTtn-2651FmyNqtDydKMXnEumYsW74igDwGW19X646wOWrD9w-Woc/s640/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+471+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODnMbD1v92gmAvn7b3g9GT1yYyoxu1FDyXHN2ZsabnAl9p-wQjJHQ6o8HXCso5GzCTY5GBGBr87WWtrzwZ97HecPCOWHqD6UdLrN1Qw6MONsN3C-V7hvfH-StdiUeIljVi3kdTmyClYeM/s1600/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+473+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODnMbD1v92gmAvn7b3g9GT1yYyoxu1FDyXHN2ZsabnAl9p-wQjJHQ6o8HXCso5GzCTY5GBGBr87WWtrzwZ97HecPCOWHqD6UdLrN1Qw6MONsN3C-V7hvfH-StdiUeIljVi3kdTmyClYeM/s640/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+473+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj15pTqnO7e7O2TgwV2F3AkA02JyHTdvPNUqM02GB38dGwLKYoccAu2qI9IfwskddzCfVpOvoiM6GIhEAKa3-8VHUgp35uXzYKIKZHU1VGs1y-Zzs8uFRL1p_3AX8uCAXxRBzfZbwVkUuxQ/s1600/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+477+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj15pTqnO7e7O2TgwV2F3AkA02JyHTdvPNUqM02GB38dGwLKYoccAu2qI9IfwskddzCfVpOvoiM6GIhEAKa3-8VHUgp35uXzYKIKZHU1VGs1y-Zzs8uFRL1p_3AX8uCAXxRBzfZbwVkUuxQ/s640/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+477+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ZXMRIJt1hLdWSOB447ElXBQeQE1p5nKIBG7Hq9oLBoE8RskpcPNkvfC3rJ94UuA3I_zyjSie9wKbQoHd-TlHpOHx2-FMyVCPAGf5ss8uTdv70VRG7_NQATwHGGEXeP9vj9veXfNsJPte/s1600/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+482+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ZXMRIJt1hLdWSOB447ElXBQeQE1p5nKIBG7Hq9oLBoE8RskpcPNkvfC3rJ94UuA3I_zyjSie9wKbQoHd-TlHpOHx2-FMyVCPAGf5ss8uTdv70VRG7_NQATwHGGEXeP9vj9veXfNsJPte/s640/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+482+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDbSjJ3MY7HiPql4KtoXOMC_Vj5T5TzrUf6_a-CHHMlGedDVObpabxE1HKF1P8qqJ-eNogt9RyTLVRqxtd6YY75mZhwuc1or80wIfI-5EvWcdfz13WPZCcTVnwsIkRtHjB6_Sdrx5EqmR/s1600/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+516+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDbSjJ3MY7HiPql4KtoXOMC_Vj5T5TzrUf6_a-CHHMlGedDVObpabxE1HKF1P8qqJ-eNogt9RyTLVRqxtd6YY75mZhwuc1or80wIfI-5EvWcdfz13WPZCcTVnwsIkRtHjB6_Sdrx5EqmR/s640/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+516+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVC-_YPFHEhzMskV3bxP3OYZCyzmv15akNcSBwaZMSc3qxQUHKJovYlDN4acIdHeZvULK-IjGS5MsURbX6bT3NrRQp8YY5Bn7g3ZbMZnAXAwD_y9iVaDsKwDv_ZVxhTBVhuvb_kdIiC5K/s1600/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+614+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVC-_YPFHEhzMskV3bxP3OYZCyzmv15akNcSBwaZMSc3qxQUHKJovYlDN4acIdHeZvULK-IjGS5MsURbX6bT3NrRQp8YY5Bn7g3ZbMZnAXAwD_y9iVaDsKwDv_ZVxhTBVhuvb_kdIiC5K/s640/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+614+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJB91xGrCrJmBLLa_kU6Ue5VOv9SNMZNpyWaAjwWvPdQOXKIps5sMcUYonQwJIh08G-aPCroO0sgahKDjhUImfxwYFcaW2DRJhRfPIfRRpTCzi8A_n5B1qDQCbGW6-zQl8hC9-LiZn_kXZ/s1600/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+615+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJB91xGrCrJmBLLa_kU6Ue5VOv9SNMZNpyWaAjwWvPdQOXKIps5sMcUYonQwJIh08G-aPCroO0sgahKDjhUImfxwYFcaW2DRJhRfPIfRRpTCzi8A_n5B1qDQCbGW6-zQl8hC9-LiZn_kXZ/s640/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+615+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwRDkBLuXnGubLf4xXIJsVnJBspja7PvhOgJ92DKYNesZx9_YKeJmHkqecMrXIXHViMTLw6oQiUECs-Cxsv8s5h6mWiP5KTQU_JS3rmjn4UGe8b3n-t_p0y3SoIx9cIkYmWRLSj0kdd-Xb/s1600/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+619+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwRDkBLuXnGubLf4xXIJsVnJBspja7PvhOgJ92DKYNesZx9_YKeJmHkqecMrXIXHViMTLw6oQiUECs-Cxsv8s5h6mWiP5KTQU_JS3rmjn4UGe8b3n-t_p0y3SoIx9cIkYmWRLSj0kdd-Xb/s640/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+619+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="510" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Kingbird</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7MeA0G8bqzoYK1nRQSnENMcaeEniSh2kZ2KSXbz8-G7ubylOAJ6AiWYtd8Mpltqbzu5ItIHX0cTfhFzJKvjRYOXkPjtz7E1LCLoF99LQllYAITlo0HLUgjrtE01BbvhN3Gnxk1RLcIZXI/s1600/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7MeA0G8bqzoYK1nRQSnENMcaeEniSh2kZ2KSXbz8-G7ubylOAJ6AiWYtd8Mpltqbzu5ItIHX0cTfhFzJKvjRYOXkPjtz7E1LCLoF99LQllYAITlo0HLUgjrtE01BbvhN3Gnxk1RLcIZXI/s640/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+641.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">American Coot. Check out the crazy lobed feet.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXr9JJCdDxgVoznS3Lr2CzLQ8KUoWaCGgFULpqc5pcY0q2aso7iTG54wRVoeKun_tA4JeY300a9F_wQ966UJA0RgcNZqu5gdspCs7i_uKO0iK3JIej90TOEZDml_3_0hs5YzZsooUAjsj/s1600/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+675+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXr9JJCdDxgVoznS3Lr2CzLQ8KUoWaCGgFULpqc5pcY0q2aso7iTG54wRVoeKun_tA4JeY300a9F_wQ966UJA0RgcNZqu5gdspCs7i_uKO0iK3JIej90TOEZDml_3_0hs5YzZsooUAjsj/s640/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+675+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURVMex1SLRoPMdrkpRGVP-TONjQu5Bp0WJmJ38h29VFZlWO8GhRVdf7csu_5zy1OK3fgGSNcWn-OSn8y8atPqvkbWjl-J79jyp_qI7OKMOGB6x1ZHcxAxMuc6eUzW3SNGpzpf-qulK1_u/s1600/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+415+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURVMex1SLRoPMdrkpRGVP-TONjQu5Bp0WJmJ38h29VFZlWO8GhRVdf7csu_5zy1OK3fgGSNcWn-OSn8y8atPqvkbWjl-J79jyp_qI7OKMOGB6x1ZHcxAxMuc6eUzW3SNGpzpf-qulK1_u/s640/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+415+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">This tiny Yellow Warbler nest was really tucked up into the thick foliage and was difficult to photograph.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNjz1aa3lhRzHCNX5aa8hBjKa24kJ1NH6PWgzOU_2sBOzyLZObcyGshWA_wb6sP6nxC971h2pHwF58Cv6HDAHfGOo-8n_kucFvfbdTeoc5kEDGWngTmKwmamjkHLb7BZAZ8QgDdv5qA54v/s1600/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNjz1aa3lhRzHCNX5aa8hBjKa24kJ1NH6PWgzOU_2sBOzyLZObcyGshWA_wb6sP6nxC971h2pHwF58Cv6HDAHfGOo-8n_kucFvfbdTeoc5kEDGWngTmKwmamjkHLb7BZAZ8QgDdv5qA54v/s640/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+635.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Pied Bill Grebe</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkw8R-KAMFsG2edGK3tePzTvQXA6Gr6UoJv_U4zDIrOdouB5j6FgZL4XhQML1bQd-RExlFhPwWChhuFOkR84eqmOZBEUJqIjzBhqdwvjkkjjKs7ceUZYqbrZfwo207uRt9NjnXm4wafevj/s1600/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkw8R-KAMFsG2edGK3tePzTvQXA6Gr6UoJv_U4zDIrOdouB5j6FgZL4XhQML1bQd-RExlFhPwWChhuFOkR84eqmOZBEUJqIjzBhqdwvjkkjjKs7ceUZYqbrZfwo207uRt9NjnXm4wafevj/s640/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+680.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">This good looking fella is a Moorhen</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiw8_zP-Qqcuz_MYCKn6OfuqmOH_cR5vCcJBQyedd5oPHK_wTdRlSILjLtJR6rTFnYhKaOVAPoeSuY4HlQXOWTN4aWwYqHPSFckaTMw1v5vpFxHCe4kdIamRYHcakLj8_i1Hhj25VeuNZF/s1600/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+766+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiw8_zP-Qqcuz_MYCKn6OfuqmOH_cR5vCcJBQyedd5oPHK_wTdRlSILjLtJR6rTFnYhKaOVAPoeSuY4HlQXOWTN4aWwYqHPSFckaTMw1v5vpFxHCe4kdIamRYHcakLj8_i1Hhj25VeuNZF/s640/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+766+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">These Orioles were really skittish</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Red Eyed Vireo. Amazing red eyes!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0niYdDbBgNCtg8Rl-hfdEOEveWwbiys12JqAXtvbDm9FpCVjyKS2CTjb9hZ7PQjwmwGnl6whBv8FEm_V98J_7D58O3X2xs02hyGPR5u9pkb6j4Jbg84nweRwNurVMxI89GZr2l6Zby05R/s1600/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+734+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0niYdDbBgNCtg8Rl-hfdEOEveWwbiys12JqAXtvbDm9FpCVjyKS2CTjb9hZ7PQjwmwGnl6whBv8FEm_V98J_7D58O3X2xs02hyGPR5u9pkb6j4Jbg84nweRwNurVMxI89GZr2l6Zby05R/s640/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+734+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How about those eyes!!!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNAvdvODtPjxCdMZ90fSJ-UORkO7qW1leaqJxgTjDtx5GpXMhQD3wqY_TEIuO-OYq05T1_3cTCA_GFPUeY3lFWfftJPcvCje6g2pCnI1JeWwWLb_QoadDPsr09H0zahj4ur7_fFM0H2fok/s1600/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+234+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNAvdvODtPjxCdMZ90fSJ-UORkO7qW1leaqJxgTjDtx5GpXMhQD3wqY_TEIuO-OYq05T1_3cTCA_GFPUeY3lFWfftJPcvCje6g2pCnI1JeWwWLb_QoadDPsr09H0zahj4ur7_fFM0H2fok/s640/2015+May+17+Magee+Marsh+234+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Toward the beginning of this post I mentioned that there was something nearby that was rather disturbing to me. Well, this is what I was referring to. This is the Davis Besse Nuclear Power Station. This nuclear power station came online in 1978 and as much as I hate to say it, it has been plagued with events or reportable incidents. This is of great concern to me both for the safety of the nearby residents but also the tremendous amount of wildlife that make these wetlands their home. I'm sure this site was selected because of the sparse population but seeing the nuclear alert sirens for miles around this plant are a harsh reminder of how quickly things could go badly and the harm would be far reaching. If you want a reality check, do some research on this Nuclear Power Station. It's very easy to research and see the Incident History including in 2002 when a hole the size of a football was discovered in the reactor head going unnoticed until it reached that size. This closed the plant for two years and cost the company millions of dollars in fines. Or what about 2010 when they replaced the reactor head from a mothballed plant. Yes, that would be a used reactor head. The facilities original operating license expires in April of 2017 and my research has found that it quite possibly will not be renewed. So what will happen then! Research this First Energy Nuclear Power Station yourself and you may see the source of my concern.</span> </div>
PaWingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04319593598322983193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129320946148714431.post-52230685739270710912015-06-13T13:59:00.001-04:002015-06-13T13:59:50.332-04:00Gotta Love Hooters!<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Okay, I know some of you sicko's clicked on this link figuring you were going to see something other than Owls. I know you are disappointed and might be a bit upset with me and feel you were tricked. I would like to apologize for this but probably won't. Actually it was a cheap trick because not every Owl will hoot for their vocalizing, in fact few of them do. They make all different sounds, take for instance the Snowy Owl which will hoot, whistle and hiss. Then there is the Barred Owl which has a very distinctive call. It's an 8 or 9 note call and sounds like they are saying, "who cooks for you.......who cooks for you all". During the mating season they will make a riotous duet of cackles, hoots, caws and gurgles. Then there is the Great Horned Owl that are hooters but really don't have the "t" at the end. It's more like, <em>hoo-h’HOO-hoo-hoo! </em></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">A mature will make lots of other sounds including whistles, barks, shrieks, hisses, coos, and wavering cries. That will send shivers down your spine on a dark night in the woods. To the unsuspecting hiker it could possibly cause you to soil your britches.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Over the past 6 months we have had the opportunity to observe and photograph three different species of Owls and in some cases their young ones also. This has been such an exciting 6 months and we consider ourselves privileged to have this amazing opportunity. Two of the Owls featured in this post are the Great Horned and the Barred. These two Owls are residents of our area and while they are commonly heard they are less commonly seen. The Snowy Owl is by no means a resident of North America but instead calls the Arctic it's home. The Snowy Owl will at times venture this far south during an event known as an "irruption". I have discussed this term at great length in a previous post so I promise to not bore you again in that regard. Instead I will bore you with new ramblings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Okay, before I scare off the few readers that follow my Blog, I have some good news. The good news is that this post will be more pictures and less writing. How's that for good news! The truth of the matter is that Owls are awesome but they don't juggle, they can't be trained to ride a bike and they can't balance a chair on their chin. Yes, they are amazing but there isn't a lot I wanted to write about them. Let's just say they are amazing to photograph but to write about..... not so much. So here are the Owls I promised. The first series of pics are of Great Horned Owls, including a mature female and the young owlets.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBDzyDUD0KQeBobSitr5bB8WwfVXVud6mV33WAsrpJ3ULCch8LyeleiFlAFS5IqyklwY3s0V-nBKdHuOWbxs9Zda1zBltb0KgflXO5_SRiYzWaCeDLtQAoP0sXPKi70GYJI7meQUbxEVsx/s1600/2015+May+10+Great+Horned+Owl+004+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBDzyDUD0KQeBobSitr5bB8WwfVXVud6mV33WAsrpJ3ULCch8LyeleiFlAFS5IqyklwY3s0V-nBKdHuOWbxs9Zda1zBltb0KgflXO5_SRiYzWaCeDLtQAoP0sXPKi70GYJI7meQUbxEVsx/s640/2015+May+10+Great+Horned+Owl+004+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4LpKc2l0ZmON8R-kevM9Vf_hPMosalPy9yqfiKGWHvaOX-cc2nnTfsPpuz5zhglc53IPIYyn73k5N9Rq8dAkKJ6rVHSlS26r4xCXZgGGtroKn831ZEgb4herGE-GQxuecR9qI2xZTsnQ/s1600/2015+May+10+Great+Horned+Owl+040+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4LpKc2l0ZmON8R-kevM9Vf_hPMosalPy9yqfiKGWHvaOX-cc2nnTfsPpuz5zhglc53IPIYyn73k5N9Rq8dAkKJ6rVHSlS26r4xCXZgGGtroKn831ZEgb4herGE-GQxuecR9qI2xZTsnQ/s640/2015+May+10+Great+Horned+Owl+040+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdZja9HmWasyxX7jL8SsKQVUAGrZ7ZIew3uTCIxLnmNalkw206RDyb7BEvFtwxZus2MAkvZ67KD4tEA92or4nCOTuUE_JHyw_nny80nlO39VSWvFk56XjQNmpv_HombtgPpSJLVg286-h/s1600/2015+May+10+Great+Horned+Owl+068+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdZja9HmWasyxX7jL8SsKQVUAGrZ7ZIew3uTCIxLnmNalkw206RDyb7BEvFtwxZus2MAkvZ67KD4tEA92or4nCOTuUE_JHyw_nny80nlO39VSWvFk56XjQNmpv_HombtgPpSJLVg286-h/s640/2015+May+10+Great+Horned+Owl+068+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2eEx4ln8vqEc7AKPNGkaIR-kjDnZAqbmryeHNMXusO9QKj1jWO5pD4VRjXLso2GMzWzIrAcdZFcZJcUHipMMeYk7BfZMdrhNtf5w4NJL9511zLCj8XVrCoAD7GfW1UGwhlu0QU9aDp2N3/s1600/2015+May+10+Great+Horned+Owl+077+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2eEx4ln8vqEc7AKPNGkaIR-kjDnZAqbmryeHNMXusO9QKj1jWO5pD4VRjXLso2GMzWzIrAcdZFcZJcUHipMMeYk7BfZMdrhNtf5w4NJL9511zLCj8XVrCoAD7GfW1UGwhlu0QU9aDp2N3/s640/2015+May+10+Great+Horned+Owl+077+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The images above were taken in early May 2015. I wanted to include the mature female watching the nest from a distance. As you can see in my pictures, sometimes she is wide awake and watching with both eyes open. Then there are other times she closes one eye to take a little rest. In another picture, you can see that her eyes are closed and she appears to be napping but I bet she's a real light sleeper and keeps constant vigil over the nest. The last picture shows one of the Owlets looking out of the nest which is the top of a rotted tree. There are actually two of them in there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The picture above was taken in early June and they will be fledging very soon. Unlike Eagles, Owls will fledge the nest before they are able to fly. I imagine they kinda' just plop to the ground. I think they ought to give some thought to doing what the Eagles do as it would be a whole lot safer and probably not hurt as much.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9HhHD3uZKvimDsjVPfu0LKaU5U6p1Pq3pruQg8apALk_iUo0K420BtrHG5Pfyrqz2fIGdOzfkFdKhoICruJu56KuVFVwzOvoqPsa8wiN1wizm0uxv8DjPUxO771i3DONx90BXlVKl6ME/s1600/2015+May+30+Presgue+Isle+Owls+079+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9HhHD3uZKvimDsjVPfu0LKaU5U6p1Pq3pruQg8apALk_iUo0K420BtrHG5Pfyrqz2fIGdOzfkFdKhoICruJu56KuVFVwzOvoqPsa8wiN1wizm0uxv8DjPUxO771i3DONx90BXlVKl6ME/s640/2015+May+30+Presgue+Isle+Owls+079+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2X0VachAHC3Q9gEvtw2bLwCw-6yLAp1uBtBQHSmjXPLyBYIkCCaMjGiV41aiDglZXVUse2p2H94pWP62hRjmkwA7URqONk-l03Byq1-SjZxDSwtjhc4oJxaelKQecqXpez7hUC9H8dcT/s1600/2015+May+30+Presgue+Isle+Owls+107+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2X0VachAHC3Q9gEvtw2bLwCw-6yLAp1uBtBQHSmjXPLyBYIkCCaMjGiV41aiDglZXVUse2p2H94pWP62hRjmkwA7URqONk-l03Byq1-SjZxDSwtjhc4oJxaelKQecqXpez7hUC9H8dcT/s640/2015+May+30+Presgue+Isle+Owls+107+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The three pictures above were taken very shortly after one young Owlet fledged the nest. We missed this even by possibly minutes but no more than two hours. He's got this look on his face like, "holy crap, that was a rush". Or possibly, "maybe we should give some thought to learning to fly before we leave the nest". Or possibly, "okay, now what". At any rate, he looks nervous about being away from the safety of the nest high up in the tree. We shot these pics from a considerable distance and they are cropped significantly. It's important to not stress the critters.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The next pictures will be of Barred Owls. I am only posting a couple pictures because they were taken on two different nights as darkness was approaching. The first night we found the Momma but didn't locate the nest. The next night we located the nest but only one of the three babies would pose for a picture. Unfortunately, by the time we got back into the area again, the Owls had fledged. Bummer for sure but we were happy for the opportunity we had to photograph them. Hope you enjoy!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh77kzVVEjMONndX0abI5nLjV_bqkT_laOCMyrJE6h_5mxG8roY_Q4zsbucZt2Rds3VMFUIhm4XCcxUTTjgEubtpGujNUnVjyawRIBUWkzuUlTifc9FzeNoQQ66NKQgMCLxfBjg9xHZYXrD/s1600/2015+May+13+Barred+Owl-Winslow+Hill+014+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh77kzVVEjMONndX0abI5nLjV_bqkT_laOCMyrJE6h_5mxG8roY_Q4zsbucZt2Rds3VMFUIhm4XCcxUTTjgEubtpGujNUnVjyawRIBUWkzuUlTifc9FzeNoQQ66NKQgMCLxfBjg9xHZYXrD/s640/2015+May+13+Barred+Owl-Winslow+Hill+014+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Here's the little baby Barred Owl that I had promised to show.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwjD9EVadVeilac6nicH1tS8GypWP1hboIs7Jr91Z-VGHeqcXZsXhMRnAabrYv-sqtx2h_3oBji28Ejx_ZePxeOSej2Xi57DKIxGGmiArwgIAPNc-BdFGxi3RJ6KpHhxfbcPwGsqXHbUz2/s1600/2015+May+14+Barred+Owl+003+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwjD9EVadVeilac6nicH1tS8GypWP1hboIs7Jr91Z-VGHeqcXZsXhMRnAabrYv-sqtx2h_3oBji28Ejx_ZePxeOSej2Xi57DKIxGGmiArwgIAPNc-BdFGxi3RJ6KpHhxfbcPwGsqXHbUz2/s640/2015+May+14+Barred+Owl+003+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Last but not least, here are a couple Snowy Owls that visited Gull Point for awhile. I had previously written a post on Snowy Owls so I'm just including a couple recent images taken this winter.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1oKgDpqzpjcRkArKeZ97vq9ohHhhCFOv6z-i1Stj_g6puQcqkQ5Qc3_vOcejF_xpOjmn01UaOXVAgqd5DwqJC74Os06xPcfYY-lUGzH8jdeHDu5PZPCc2UK5rdOEAZE2kIE2mbdSt3QEJ/s1600/2015+Jan+2+Snowy+Owls+157+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1oKgDpqzpjcRkArKeZ97vq9ohHhhCFOv6z-i1Stj_g6puQcqkQ5Qc3_vOcejF_xpOjmn01UaOXVAgqd5DwqJC74Os06xPcfYY-lUGzH8jdeHDu5PZPCc2UK5rdOEAZE2kIE2mbdSt3QEJ/s640/2015+Jan+2+Snowy+Owls+157+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHl95RkkQjEWU2sFu52mn8UwUe8ImC6GCuTMNX9zWHFSLKPxBT21hpgo_T9C0VduMo7UqtM70Pio5BU54_xPaMkAAMACkuz7QHdME-I1JpJFvkPXliK7G4UcIvFOQ0i6TMlDIvuZlN52U/s1600/2014+December+26+Snowy+Owls+187+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHl95RkkQjEWU2sFu52mn8UwUe8ImC6GCuTMNX9zWHFSLKPxBT21hpgo_T9C0VduMo7UqtM70Pio5BU54_xPaMkAAMACkuz7QHdME-I1JpJFvkPXliK7G4UcIvFOQ0i6TMlDIvuZlN52U/s640/2014+December+26+Snowy+Owls+187+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="502" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Hope you enjoyed your time with the Owls and forgot all about the Hooters you had hoped for.</span></div>
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<br />PaWingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04319593598322983193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129320946148714431.post-44699585980879545142015-06-13T11:58:00.000-04:002015-06-13T12:06:45.562-04:00Chaos at the Rookery<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Throughout the years of observing wildlife through a lens or a pair of binoculars, we have had the pleasure of learning the habits of many different critters. It's absolutely amazing to watch them and to note the similarities in their habits but also the differences. Often as you watch them, you think to yourself, "well, that's logical behavior". Other times you just can't make sense of it and wonder how they ever come to adopt this universal behavior among their species. In this post I will be mainly talking about Great Blue Herons but will also briefly point out how they differ from other birds and mammals.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">To get this discussion underway, lets talk about the term used in the title of this post, "rookery". Many of you may have never heard of the term and quite possibly saw one or more than one, but didn't realize that you just drove by a hotbed of wildlife activity. A rookery is colony of nesting animals but generally birds. Often you may have ridden by a group of trees sitting back from the road and while you did notice a number of nests or piles of sticks scattered among the branches, you just rode on by and gave it no more thought. Chances are you just passed by a "rookery" which we consider a wonder of nature or maternity ward of the animal kingdom.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">In this particular post I will be talking about Heron rookeries but this term is by no means limited to just Great Blue Herons because there are other birds and animals that colonize in their nesting sites. One thing we have observed over the years is that typically Great Blue Herons will chose a site for their rookery that is difficult to access by humans and is often in a wet swampy area. One thing for certain, it is always located very close to a wildlife supermarket, which is a stream, river or lake. This is absolutely vital so that they have a steady source of fish and aquatic life to keep themselves nourished during this time of breeding, nesting and feeding the newborns up until the time of fledging. Fledging is the day that the young Great Blue Herons step to the edge of the nest and start their own life and adventures.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I had mentioned that there are similarities and differences in the behavior of animals but motherly love with the young is strong and universal and amazing to observe and photograph. In my eyes, a rookery is an amazing occurrence in nature. When you think about so many animals and think about how they have their young, it's so different from the Great Blue Heron. Think about a deer or bear or even an elk. In the bird world, look at the Bald Eagle for instance. All of these just mentioned will pick a secluded spot to have their young and certainly not at all like a colony of Herons. A Bald Eagle will nest in the trees often in the same spot for many years just as the Herons do but they are alone and not in a rookery environment. It does seem to be a common occurrence though, where a Bald Eagle will take over a Heron nesting area, and chase the Herons out. But even when they do this, it's a lone Eagle and not a colony like Herons. It's interesting to me how the Herons will nest in great numbers and often their nests are only a couple feet away from each other.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Most of the pictures in this post were taken at a rookery out in the Cuyahoga Valley in Ohio. What's cool about this particular rookery is the fact that it is quite close to a road and very easy to photograph which is quite unusual for a Heron nesting area. It is my understanding that this rookery has been re-used for a number of years. Each year the Herons return and either build or rebuild their nest. Building or rebuilding may take 3 days to a couple weeks. The Herons fly in with sticks and weave them into a strong nest where they can lay their eggs which can be as few as three or as many as seven or eight. As you can imagine, the nest can get quite crowded by fledging time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">As we photographed this nesting area we tried to count the nests but foliage made it difficult. This one giant Sycamore had at least 40 - 50 nests and each nest appeared to have at least 3 young Herons. Just this one tree will most likely produce 150 young Great Blue Herons. Just amazing isn't it! Now let's rewind to 2003 when there were approximately 176 nests. Back in 2013 there were 110 nests which produced about 251 young Herons. In this area this year there are easily 100 plus nests. It's absolutely amazing to see and to listen to all the vocalizations coming from the nests. It's equally amazing to photograph and observe the activity in the nests. Our last trip to this location was early June and the Herons are getting quite large and seemed to be getting tired of sharing the small nests with their brothers and sisters. This becomes quite evident by their actions as they bite at each other and push each other around in the nest. Because it is only a few weeks from fledging time they are constantly spreading their wings as they get the feel for the wind trying to give them lift in preparation for their first flight. Activity in a rookery begins as early as late February - early March and will continue into July. Depending on when you visit, the activity will continually change. Early on you will witness the nest construction or re-construction. Next will be the partnering up and breeding. After that it will be the laying of the eggs and sitting on them for about 28 days. After the eggs are hatched, the feeding becomes a steady ritual and will continue until late June to early July when the young Herons fledge the nest.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMx0TrIWxPeBPM-Nhq-x42S3CCnK21hAicmuZvu8IZAuFsQhGTqJAblNsiiq6VBlJm9ptOYFuauJpyhMsiIdhXSGGrhSUAPoMKF3KiEFd9mUiPPnqtHJMo3D2T-bkAq5PrTgCFkNxuARb/s1600/2015+June+6+Cayahoga+Valley+200+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMx0TrIWxPeBPM-Nhq-x42S3CCnK21hAicmuZvu8IZAuFsQhGTqJAblNsiiq6VBlJm9ptOYFuauJpyhMsiIdhXSGGrhSUAPoMKF3KiEFd9mUiPPnqtHJMo3D2T-bkAq5PrTgCFkNxuARb/s640/2015+June+6+Cayahoga+Valley+200+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">While I don't really know if it is true, I believe the male and female parent will be a couple for just this nesting period. It's also been said that the courtship forms in quite an unusual way. The male Heron will choose a stick for the nest building and present it to the female and this act strengthens the bond between the male and female for that season. Such is life in the outdoors, one amazing thing after another! See it for yourself and witness the dynamics of nature as you watch these prehistoric appearing raptors of North America. You may be surprised at what you see and get hooked on nature such as we are.</span><br />
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PaWingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04319593598322983193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129320946148714431.post-52034999393488549432014-04-07T20:04:00.003-04:002014-04-07T21:01:12.771-04:00Rockland Tunnel<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">If you happen to be a bicyclist and enjoy a great ride along a beautiful river, you definitely need to check out the Allegheny River Trail. On a recent ride we started our ride from the trailhead at Emlenton and pedaled upriver toward Franklin. This is a paved trail through a relatively desolate and unpopulated area other than an occasional small gathering of camps here and there. Riding this trail will offer you beautiful wooded scenery to the one side and a river view to the other. So you may wonder if that is all this trail has to offer and I might say, what more do you want! But there is more and that added bonus would be two awesome train tunnels. The first tunnel from the Emlenton side would be the Rockland Tunnel. This tunnel is 2700 feet long and definitely requires a headlight. I promise you that as you near the center of this tunnel you would not be able to see your own hand in front of your face because it is pitch dark in there. There is a slight curve in this tunnel which adds to the darkness factor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Rockland Tunnel was built in 1915 and it's age is definitely showing. It's very evident that stone and brick occasionally falls to the trail surface and also there are places that you may encounter some running water dripping or maybe running down through the ceiling. In the winter this water creates some beautiful ice formations. We rode this trail in early April and the southern end of the tunnel for about 250 feet had a surprising amount of ice blocking the trail. These ice formations were 2-4 feet high and forced us to pretty much hug the east wall to get around the ice. Aside from the ice, there was a also a good stream of ice cold water running from the ceiling right onto the center of the trail. On our return trip from upriver and beyond the Kennerdell Tunnel we passed back through the Rockland Tunnel once again and paused to capture a few photos of this awesome tunnel with the ice formations.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIj5qq_s29SOdM2Yn7rjJEBECShgit4p_kBqjhJZ_F9KF3d47zKE4tivLof0m1cJyBvpwo-crJCX1Old1GuYRJpYS9l4uJDeqNWDYoKZdfcWJZQ3dKf01SbiUScx3R3O_l0LSyF1IhSTv9/s1600/2014+April+6+Emlenton+Trail+Biking+082+copy+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIj5qq_s29SOdM2Yn7rjJEBECShgit4p_kBqjhJZ_F9KF3d47zKE4tivLof0m1cJyBvpwo-crJCX1Old1GuYRJpYS9l4uJDeqNWDYoKZdfcWJZQ3dKf01SbiUScx3R3O_l0LSyF1IhSTv9/s1600/2014+April+6+Emlenton+Trail+Biking+082+copy+(Large).jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In a few weeks this trail will be colored up and shaded by the beautiful colors of summer.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisseVSyvd8YFQ8AFhwPuy5JGOGVjBDdCIICXniRKq1TDHk1y9cteapZG3PqO_iqMeg3RJPOnegLAdcHnjtkCTWMlk3Ad8VLrQ0TjejlRB8CxpyVGpIbcqZbiCQxht5q8OYP23cncI1j3ZJ/s1600/2014+April+6+Emlenton+Trail+Biking+027_edited-1+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisseVSyvd8YFQ8AFhwPuy5JGOGVjBDdCIICXniRKq1TDHk1y9cteapZG3PqO_iqMeg3RJPOnegLAdcHnjtkCTWMlk3Ad8VLrQ0TjejlRB8CxpyVGpIbcqZbiCQxht5q8OYP23cncI1j3ZJ/s1600/2014+April+6+Emlenton+Trail+Biking+027_edited-1+(Large).jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Below is a picture of one of the many safety alcoves that are very common in the old tunnels. These small archways provided a place for workers or hobos to tuck into and be safe from a passing train. We have been in many old tunnels and this is a very common practice. These alcoves are staggered from one wall to the opposite wall and a person wouldn't have but a short distance to get to the nearest alcove. These are large enough for a couple people to seek safety.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFGNwmjLpiJ9IHawCESK7C2Bxzd0iD6pE_KOWIF0cUeTAFWoK2e5chknybyCnCLjn0Zu3k3CCXBFzZoeNqTgcFD-84UD2BzzB_Exp2TrM3nDo8YYOUXRuc2Vl_dzBTJFDBHx2eKqJmJVaF/s1600/2014+April+6+Emlenton+Trail+Biking+051+(Large).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFGNwmjLpiJ9IHawCESK7C2Bxzd0iD6pE_KOWIF0cUeTAFWoK2e5chknybyCnCLjn0Zu3k3CCXBFzZoeNqTgcFD-84UD2BzzB_Exp2TrM3nDo8YYOUXRuc2Vl_dzBTJFDBHx2eKqJmJVaF/s1600/2014+April+6+Emlenton+Trail+Biking+051+(Large).JPG" height="640" width="502" /></a></div>
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PaWingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04319593598322983193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129320946148714431.post-60829728662805552172014-03-25T21:00:00.000-04:002014-03-25T21:03:12.129-04:00Capturing the Memories<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It's hard to imagine a bad day outdoors. I've spent countless hours in brutal cold temperatures with driving winds and still called it a great day. Even rain does little to dampen my spirits. Now that's not saying that I wouldn't choose a mild day with comfortable temperatures to be outdoors, but I'll take what ever Mother Nature dishes out and still enjoy it. After all, critters are funny and unpredictable and some of the worst weather days proved to be the most productive for wildlife. You just never know about critters so if you want to increase the odds of great photographic opportunities, you need to weather the storm, endure the cold and embrace the elements. It's all about capturing the memories. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The images below are just random shots that I decided to post in my blog so that readers can enjoy the memories that I have captured from the comfort and warmth of their home. Typically I would have a long story to go with the images I post but that won't be the case this time. I bet this will make a lot of people quite happy. The cool thing about wildlife photography is that aside from hopefully going home with a card filled with decent images you also go home with some amazing memories. Years later you can look at many of your pictures and experience some of the same feelings that you experienced the moment you pressed the shutter and captured the image. Okay, on to the pictures!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlsfxGZGpGh8OH5own-faHMwN7vYNzmMIw8BwCi8oZfhpBbHdzJmc1OufPoYAlfBs5QKAJgxOFfyYqHwb1PqRZcT3jDwtmKeCnWrFJNdfFg5pTRW3ssYMkpNvLltsYVUfAKTyq9_tXoYFd/s1600/2014+Porky+and+Eagle+013+copy+(Medium).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlsfxGZGpGh8OH5own-faHMwN7vYNzmMIw8BwCi8oZfhpBbHdzJmc1OufPoYAlfBs5QKAJgxOFfyYqHwb1PqRZcT3jDwtmKeCnWrFJNdfFg5pTRW3ssYMkpNvLltsYVUfAKTyq9_tXoYFd/s1600/2014+Porky+and+Eagle+013+copy+(Medium).jpg" height="502" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Porky's seem slow and sluggish but don't think for a moment that it's easy to get a decent picture of their face. Typically when you get close enough to capture their face they will quickly turn with their butts toward you since that is their first line of defense. Contrary to beliefs, they cannot fling the quills at you and I'm quite thankful for that.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsQcEJVzqVFpMu6bwOdQ48mGd5kahZLzFRmf4Z08PFyy8Tu0Zf1N1YJYJsLy7EphpBcdok-MVQJhsTYgKb62LTo7vUNjCT7X_CTuZBMzsYZJP3Z-LASwdr_TC6215vq5MKt0BhBbh8Bfa/s1600/2014+Porky+and+Eagle+042+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsQcEJVzqVFpMu6bwOdQ48mGd5kahZLzFRmf4Z08PFyy8Tu0Zf1N1YJYJsLy7EphpBcdok-MVQJhsTYgKb62LTo7vUNjCT7X_CTuZBMzsYZJP3Z-LASwdr_TC6215vq5MKt0BhBbh8Bfa/s1600/2014+Porky+and+Eagle+042+copy.jpg" height="640" width="502" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPk9KvFqn2S78dAeszpNGScfgqcwF6yLEeX2U1LCE6NwE5NvIHP5_ZbUY0uK-h7s6SVXEMIhySYY1I5O8VeoGG1u-FmxMT8es1IA9A-B07m4jZ_rH3huF2ziIuXYK3-eF2taD4ZKwafSU/s1600/2014+Porky+and+Eagle+082+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPk9KvFqn2S78dAeszpNGScfgqcwF6yLEeX2U1LCE6NwE5NvIHP5_ZbUY0uK-h7s6SVXEMIhySYY1I5O8VeoGG1u-FmxMT8es1IA9A-B07m4jZ_rH3huF2ziIuXYK3-eF2taD4ZKwafSU/s1600/2014+Porky+and+Eagle+082+copy.jpg" height="502" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The three images above were taken mid March 2014. This mature Bald Eagle was very aware of our presence but did sit still long enough for a few shots. It was a very windy morning and even though the Eagle was stationary, the branch he was on was bobbing like crazy and therefore required a fast shutter.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5avsQ8GwClJ6wS-aPU8LFBR5vgK7qmOki0d3GstvZDNFNV12PZ3qcMVIdc6XIquNcQZW76LjltcRvfadzcjD2f9MukXEvAHM6yk2E0clxlX1GzmJL4Ebjg3W3lGZen2FIQurAmIz_cdGj/s1600/2014+March+22+Sabula+Lake+004a+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5avsQ8GwClJ6wS-aPU8LFBR5vgK7qmOki0d3GstvZDNFNV12PZ3qcMVIdc6XIquNcQZW76LjltcRvfadzcjD2f9MukXEvAHM6yk2E0clxlX1GzmJL4Ebjg3W3lGZen2FIQurAmIz_cdGj/s1600/2014+March+22+Sabula+Lake+004a+copy.jpg" height="502" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The spring migration is always an exciting time for us as we try to locate and photograph a new species of ducks. Here is a Green Winged Teal that posed nicely but wasn't too keen about letting us get close so we took what we could get.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhguCOGmj9I9xWinu0WOq6Q-XrNran7WsPwVqveDaQLsw7MYPm7dYRTcXjF5_a8Wl3g6sdBhmuu09ptfe8NNAgzPv5wtl-5X-qVZNxl-eRwHqXTmnJ-SLawhlXPi5ub0cAM1X4823Xr8BCP/s1600/2014+March+16+Ice+and+Turkeys+053+copy+(Medium).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhguCOGmj9I9xWinu0WOq6Q-XrNran7WsPwVqveDaQLsw7MYPm7dYRTcXjF5_a8Wl3g6sdBhmuu09ptfe8NNAgzPv5wtl-5X-qVZNxl-eRwHqXTmnJ-SLawhlXPi5ub0cAM1X4823Xr8BCP/s1600/2014+March+16+Ice+and+Turkeys+053+copy+(Medium).jpg" height="502" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9-H5BKp54FMEEswkVzYjAskSSvlX8TaM87Yemko4R41q2ohfXfc_NAzpHwrpKZOQnD8GJlw126gIIERvr_BRHqmsiohfjVBa48bW8N_1AmcNZwXvUlEJZcjv2Msw6uIZNWo4VFY4D0rx/s1600/2014+March+16+Ice+and+Turkeys+065+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9-H5BKp54FMEEswkVzYjAskSSvlX8TaM87Yemko4R41q2ohfXfc_NAzpHwrpKZOQnD8GJlw126gIIERvr_BRHqmsiohfjVBa48bW8N_1AmcNZwXvUlEJZcjv2Msw6uIZNWo4VFY4D0rx/s1600/2014+March+16+Ice+and+Turkeys+065+copy.jpg" height="502" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Spring is an exciting time if you happen to be a big bold Gobbler. Photographing them when they are all fanned out is like winning the lottery. Well, almost like winning the lottery.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYTzJrObk68XSDJZyT44wgj-wFnDOeRypSqsEh4Mcg2Rska01_y8QeL7EgVXcof47y5wc_B7iejRKyH0nZZy3JYeH6D8kgB9K-OzJoVso1y3Ytmq2tUtSliIp8L7zSuTobFbWNhPEDfKp/s1600/2014+March+16+Ice+and+Turkeys+215+copy+(Medium).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYTzJrObk68XSDJZyT44wgj-wFnDOeRypSqsEh4Mcg2Rska01_y8QeL7EgVXcof47y5wc_B7iejRKyH0nZZy3JYeH6D8kgB9K-OzJoVso1y3Ytmq2tUtSliIp8L7zSuTobFbWNhPEDfKp/s1600/2014+March+16+Ice+and+Turkeys+215+copy+(Medium).jpg" height="502" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Walk along any waterway on a sunny day in the winter and you will be treated to mother natures jewelry box.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHWvSGP8eqYVidCHCzPNPEGYoUyPaTfT13LQ9l9POHIl-xWt3x949g2YswTXxwdicqMcPXhPbEGOJImagBCZ6611qPWoZc2xFSTDVABlfMz4ZcGpd9dxSC1fZeA8VVWEBo4ElfobhKlrq/s1600/2014+March+14+Moon+and+Ducks+105+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHWvSGP8eqYVidCHCzPNPEGYoUyPaTfT13LQ9l9POHIl-xWt3x949g2YswTXxwdicqMcPXhPbEGOJImagBCZ6611qPWoZc2xFSTDVABlfMz4ZcGpd9dxSC1fZeA8VVWEBo4ElfobhKlrq/s1600/2014+March+14+Moon+and+Ducks+105+copy.jpg" height="502" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It doesn't always have to be dark to capture interesting shots of the moon. This image required some significant underexposing to bring out the lunar detail.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir0sSyvMkszmZS1UEzvL2EF9DJNHegiwFFkzO7uzlo7pWoJ8ZiKJY8_yn1UnJ_asr7h7yIfxROR-OgbzkGfmeV8BBGl83EE63nt-izBYLPtmay95nilk4qxOaKQTyFvMXAB2mFOmFqM1aS/s1600/2014+March+9+Clarion+River+Morning+036+copy+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir0sSyvMkszmZS1UEzvL2EF9DJNHegiwFFkzO7uzlo7pWoJ8ZiKJY8_yn1UnJ_asr7h7yIfxROR-OgbzkGfmeV8BBGl83EE63nt-izBYLPtmay95nilk4qxOaKQTyFvMXAB2mFOmFqM1aS/s1600/2014+March+9+Clarion+River+Morning+036+copy+(Large).jpg" height="502" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> On this day I was watching for Eagles along the river when this family of deer stepped out of the woods and seemed to be checking out the thick slabs of ice that lined the banks of the Clarion.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW8hhacqrt4RzWN5hoDQj_f3GuQs2aCxsQxggweqVJzdsjxMblyzY8HFhnkRBonWu1NCWQr6DBivEDNJOfkODo_de5YUozYuo_ZLHU_tv75XvJDjOdHj8QK2GsDzQEuo89B65fMYYUEQHE/s1600/2014+March+1+Duck+Migration+081+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW8hhacqrt4RzWN5hoDQj_f3GuQs2aCxsQxggweqVJzdsjxMblyzY8HFhnkRBonWu1NCWQr6DBivEDNJOfkODo_de5YUozYuo_ZLHU_tv75XvJDjOdHj8QK2GsDzQEuo89B65fMYYUEQHE/s1600/2014+March+1+Duck+Migration+081+copy.jpg" height="512" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In this image it appears as though the American Coot and the Redhead Duck were engaged in a pretty serious conversation.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNRtpzNnJKZBEIIgHynMyjUKUp7JIPWGo7JxaUqPtJ1SBY5iKvI3Egtmyd6BqXnQWd-_UWQt2xq-OZKMvx0kh2LyP-lue1HvA94buTlD5vq3naLDsA7LuzHAHJp4dTjmvF0pco9UND6I7/s1600/2014+March+1+Duck+Migration+126+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNRtpzNnJKZBEIIgHynMyjUKUp7JIPWGo7JxaUqPtJ1SBY5iKvI3Egtmyd6BqXnQWd-_UWQt2xq-OZKMvx0kh2LyP-lue1HvA94buTlD5vq3naLDsA7LuzHAHJp4dTjmvF0pco9UND6I7/s1600/2014+March+1+Duck+Migration+126+copy.jpg" height="502" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We watched for hours as the American Coots would dive to the bottom and bring up a rock covered with Zebra Mussels. Apparently they were quite tasty because they would clean off one rock and then dive down and bring up another.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhffBV7EC2KRYxWAqXyTAH7Nx85M-38I0snqMIr1mCunRORTfP_IAa2RYt8-mcFfPFpX809N44LaGN_sdh41b-K_guICEgMY_AsA7HhnSgoiBWAwZ1TpuQQP2nsqKD-UbxXr5Lpa3gSqPoL/s1600/2014+March+1+Duck+Migration+208+copy+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhffBV7EC2KRYxWAqXyTAH7Nx85M-38I0snqMIr1mCunRORTfP_IAa2RYt8-mcFfPFpX809N44LaGN_sdh41b-K_guICEgMY_AsA7HhnSgoiBWAwZ1TpuQQP2nsqKD-UbxXr5Lpa3gSqPoL/s1600/2014+March+1+Duck+Migration+208+copy+(Large).jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lots of different ducks.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZFanB0cpgKdF2irzbZhZbHpj-oPW3xFUMhigm0axZVhyphenhyphen4xlFfp5MJrSmMUrC8P9WwmDBmdErUl22hSsqzxbVpi_nTf_8M4szKNN5PjRCRKFNKbrbiAunCNq-NSR-UmdAt-nFQg3HdWci/s1600/2014+March+1+Duck+Migration+210+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZFanB0cpgKdF2irzbZhZbHpj-oPW3xFUMhigm0axZVhyphenhyphen4xlFfp5MJrSmMUrC8P9WwmDBmdErUl22hSsqzxbVpi_nTf_8M4szKNN5PjRCRKFNKbrbiAunCNq-NSR-UmdAt-nFQg3HdWci/s1600/2014+March+1+Duck+Migration+210+copy.jpg" height="502" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Canvasback, Redhead and Scaups.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0bqwI754liVAlxu60K0hB9Sp1WIe1QeXwWQTbwDlU_AlCjR3csdC128uIS6E9wFlI3Aw23u9guRQdq_KRLHa0ff6Dp4jgkMAXMumyZzsLhDKN5zyRcHIrJA3Di2IvHAPy_UHTkibPI4n/s1600/2014+March+1+Duck+Migration+231+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0bqwI754liVAlxu60K0hB9Sp1WIe1QeXwWQTbwDlU_AlCjR3csdC128uIS6E9wFlI3Aw23u9guRQdq_KRLHa0ff6Dp4jgkMAXMumyZzsLhDKN5zyRcHIrJA3Di2IvHAPy_UHTkibPI4n/s1600/2014+March+1+Duck+Migration+231+copy.jpg" height="502" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Canvasbacks are often confused with Redheads but truthfully they are quite different.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCTbSH7j8QI9d_LuM0SCc_niaQhAW6ZA3grMrHkt9NRu2i-LlDpofLYnah-ZwMxDHUl5yxe0aPv43kCQg_75Rv5kaEzJwfPIPui3lFWWzk9OcT5rzAxzVS3AOAOkY-l777Gupwb-6TIRD9/s1600/2014+March+1+Duck+Migration+232+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCTbSH7j8QI9d_LuM0SCc_niaQhAW6ZA3grMrHkt9NRu2i-LlDpofLYnah-ZwMxDHUl5yxe0aPv43kCQg_75Rv5kaEzJwfPIPui3lFWWzk9OcT5rzAxzVS3AOAOkY-l777Gupwb-6TIRD9/s1600/2014+March+1+Duck+Migration+232+copy.jpg" height="502" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpC6TOc7IrQSQ6owc0kyy6YRbBUVQjOnUA9X066exePSzwnRlhS_NAl-h6JNmiinUQ91G7QOgfWMTbNKTrjiTDttXvSjZXdJ-uBrpb7PtncdA-bwgkGQpnj0htQtLoJ8t73K1G5IE6-tVN/s1600/2014+March+1+Duck+Migration+404+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpC6TOc7IrQSQ6owc0kyy6YRbBUVQjOnUA9X066exePSzwnRlhS_NAl-h6JNmiinUQ91G7QOgfWMTbNKTrjiTDttXvSjZXdJ-uBrpb7PtncdA-bwgkGQpnj0htQtLoJ8t73K1G5IE6-tVN/s1600/2014+March+1+Duck+Migration+404+copy.jpg" height="390" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Three young Amish or Mennonite decide to call it a day after a long day out on the ice.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimld_2nkpZ54PQdcIa4e26sT4ZfZas4gbDNZ5ijFcsLhzxtfVGQ4gpFrOs4ly-GBwawDjQG-LHlhuHqtTjkrIGhUCh3y9MDaOBtYqgTc5RL_L3zGiIiUnsjoDE2qLqEEeWMaXBgf6tztjA/s1600/2014+March+1+Duck+Migration+470+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimld_2nkpZ54PQdcIa4e26sT4ZfZas4gbDNZ5ijFcsLhzxtfVGQ4gpFrOs4ly-GBwawDjQG-LHlhuHqtTjkrIGhUCh3y9MDaOBtYqgTc5RL_L3zGiIiUnsjoDE2qLqEEeWMaXBgf6tztjA/s1600/2014+March+1+Duck+Migration+470+copy.jpg" height="502" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNlmhYdbGW7KvDCbkfTUiC9evxyoaRGBpMFLkpEGre4I8IzeXruQu-gAsFhAqfisr67eptzDRK7UYHO3kZQrcXO7rEdBDHrMtaoeR2O37pa5He9QIwfJXQI0AOa1LQR-k_ZhyphenhyphenkMcdX8sCv/s1600/2014+March+1+Duck+Migration+473+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNlmhYdbGW7KvDCbkfTUiC9evxyoaRGBpMFLkpEGre4I8IzeXruQu-gAsFhAqfisr67eptzDRK7UYHO3kZQrcXO7rEdBDHrMtaoeR2O37pa5He9QIwfJXQI0AOa1LQR-k_ZhyphenhyphenkMcdX8sCv/s1600/2014+March+1+Duck+Migration+473+copy.jpg" height="640" width="502" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0I7qrogKsBYzuLuOEi73XfNO4a_eoI1qBQ-O9s2OqWBRluSBtEpOR61ubnc47QlTbx0Td-e3PhQ8qOs8KUhjLDUlm6VBV6hCeSl8NgzfQEn2gMBmZWBM0MuMyV8NiKeEr8PeG_bWaXWj/s1600/2014+March+1+Duck+Migration+482+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0I7qrogKsBYzuLuOEi73XfNO4a_eoI1qBQ-O9s2OqWBRluSBtEpOR61ubnc47QlTbx0Td-e3PhQ8qOs8KUhjLDUlm6VBV6hCeSl8NgzfQEn2gMBmZWBM0MuMyV8NiKeEr8PeG_bWaXWj/s1600/2014+March+1+Duck+Migration+482+copy.jpg" height="502" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU99oFjE18lSQSA0OagC8-zrCQpKFu5n8GOXH-iSjDUTSZfe6xflGw0-4uS2aRQ74JcymeSGVeYoBctWOg_mHCkWXgN5zVwgmJpZ_qwjvV9XHuSsqJlb2VSCnBY8K6kVydm5PRMmxN2f6i/s1600/2014+March+1+Duck+Migration+483+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU99oFjE18lSQSA0OagC8-zrCQpKFu5n8GOXH-iSjDUTSZfe6xflGw0-4uS2aRQ74JcymeSGVeYoBctWOg_mHCkWXgN5zVwgmJpZ_qwjvV9XHuSsqJlb2VSCnBY8K6kVydm5PRMmxN2f6i/s1600/2014+March+1+Duck+Migration+483+copy.jpg" height="640" width="502" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg48fmUQQHg1T5kBrxS-CfqNL00vJSMgoyNodscoUxFM3k2nRGAmQPCyNWGL-aHw-U492YnfG_jBZHfI1M1A78JlFHHbfdfHjE6tYkD9o6ymY6MXFriT2S14ndFu7thfq7w5tVkUPuqLn1e/s1600/2014+March+1+Duck+Migration+512+copy+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg48fmUQQHg1T5kBrxS-CfqNL00vJSMgoyNodscoUxFM3k2nRGAmQPCyNWGL-aHw-U492YnfG_jBZHfI1M1A78JlFHHbfdfHjE6tYkD9o6ymY6MXFriT2S14ndFu7thfq7w5tVkUPuqLn1e/s1600/2014+March+1+Duck+Migration+512+copy+(Large).jpg" height="502" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The images above are of a Longtail Duck also known as an Old Squaw.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0bBHBcbFNag4UIfccXB7Bdx_QjtrSk2Ve76K783mXEbXGsD2lJVOHQo6m7foz974Gl1E63Owieymy_v25UJPOLNMmcNcM_TWS78YQVb0GmPPJd5CJauPfrAPYPMqiiarT-FZ5B5hMiZcL/s1600/2014+March+1+Duck+Migration+528+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0bBHBcbFNag4UIfccXB7Bdx_QjtrSk2Ve76K783mXEbXGsD2lJVOHQo6m7foz974Gl1E63Owieymy_v25UJPOLNMmcNcM_TWS78YQVb0GmPPJd5CJauPfrAPYPMqiiarT-FZ5B5hMiZcL/s1600/2014+March+1+Duck+Migration+528+copy.jpg" height="512" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another fun activity on the ice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the image below it appears that the two male Redheads are competing for the female Redhead.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDpN2d2DvMtEw-tKLylL_Rd1phrftB9CKm3v8Fy5QrCDA5QGL7dny8ZT0zTGSe0X_M1-84CUay0iJr0Fc2QV5x9tvWHU4_eFXpWbyD4-9IZENL-gm9JCdudgmz2CubaxzH-NXGy4BzBfEY/s1600/2014+March+1+Duck+Migration+558+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDpN2d2DvMtEw-tKLylL_Rd1phrftB9CKm3v8Fy5QrCDA5QGL7dny8ZT0zTGSe0X_M1-84CUay0iJr0Fc2QV5x9tvWHU4_eFXpWbyD4-9IZENL-gm9JCdudgmz2CubaxzH-NXGy4BzBfEY/s1600/2014+March+1+Duck+Migration+558+copy.jpg" height="502" width="640" /></a></div>
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PaWingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04319593598322983193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129320946148714431.post-68782010148754243762013-12-13T20:51:00.001-05:002014-01-15T15:41:35.381-05:00Snowy Owl Irruption 2013<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The year 2013 offered many exciting opportunities for this wildlife photographer. Of course, the elk rut was amazing this year and although the River Otters were a bit on the elusive side, they did cooperate late in the year. Our trip to the Canadian Rockies was amazing and we captured thousands of images from scenery to critters of all types. We finished off the year with a bang compliments of an exciting Snowy Owl Irruption.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So for those that are not familiar with the term "irruption" I will give a quick and dirty explanation. The Snowy Owls are actually from the Arctic and are comfortable living on the tundra. Their favorite meal is the Lemming which is a small rodent type critter. When the Lemmings are in short supply, the Snowy's will travel south looking for a replacement food source. This is called an irruption. In 2010, my son Jeremy and I traveled to New Jersey and hoped to locate one Snowy Owl at the rear of a large reservoir. We were thrilled to locate and photograph that single Owl and the memory of that day will always be special to us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2013 has proven to be one of the most significant irruptions in recent history. They have literally been spotted all over the northern section of the United States and even some as far south as North Carolina. Often the Snowy's will irrupt to a place similar to the tundra of the Arctic but certainly not always. We had the opportunity of photographing several Snowy Owls out on Gull Point on Presque Isle. The terrain at Gull Point probably closely resembled their home in the Arctic and trust me when I say the frigid temperatures and wind made us feel as though we were in the Arctic at times. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Snowy Owls are one of the largest owls in North America. They have a wingspan of 4.5 - 5.5 feet and stand over two feet tall. The males may have some dark bars in their plumage but will get pure white as they mature. The young males will have noticeable dark variations in their feathers while the females will typically be darker. Their eyes are large and round and an awesome yellow color with a dark center.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's anyone's guess as to how many Snowy's will irrupt to Presque Isle and of course we have no clue how long they will stay. We are so fortunate to have spent time photographing these amazing Owls and hope to spend more time with them. A wildlife photographer must always keep in mind that it's a delicate balance of trying to get the shot but still be respectful of the subject.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The four images below were shot on a more recent visit to Gull Point. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvd-P5lTbga3UNZxoI_OxUNvUWNj_-Z4J0Xn9vTY0oYrUJ2DA-Esk_IxCk5GpGQKApOkl-AkkXNMIEU_Xr82dmq2DBAdCJqF1n0XBt2eJZf58zzi04DJplySyX3xEa0GsNR1nfy2Zbo7kG/s1600/2014-01-04+2014+Jan+4+Presque+Isle+Owls+018+copy+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvd-P5lTbga3UNZxoI_OxUNvUWNj_-Z4J0Xn9vTY0oYrUJ2DA-Esk_IxCk5GpGQKApOkl-AkkXNMIEU_Xr82dmq2DBAdCJqF1n0XBt2eJZf58zzi04DJplySyX3xEa0GsNR1nfy2Zbo7kG/s1600/2014-01-04+2014+Jan+4+Presque+Isle+Owls+018+copy+(Large).jpg" height="512" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I believe the blood on this Snowy came from a recent meal but could also have been the result of a mid-air fight with another Owl that occurred that morning.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPxtDVuicKyEVa1OG8eNJCwO41PieSuqAaw7bY25xCB2IR_7Puek4utum-tYkZweCJqIZQEGDRoi65YRZJEuHDEl9aUPHGQCToQWfhqrLlQq6xY7tOMq2kpdQXhZIm2Jnpl5sTyKywMN6/s1600/2014-01-04+2014+Jan+4+Presque+Isle+Owls+038+copy+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPxtDVuicKyEVa1OG8eNJCwO41PieSuqAaw7bY25xCB2IR_7Puek4utum-tYkZweCJqIZQEGDRoi65YRZJEuHDEl9aUPHGQCToQWfhqrLlQq6xY7tOMq2kpdQXhZIm2Jnpl5sTyKywMN6/s1600/2014-01-04+2014+Jan+4+Presque+Isle+Owls+038+copy+(Large).jpg" height="512" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Can you believe the size of the talons on these Owls! I shot this image as he sat out on an ice dune along the shore.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWprE8yFQBwNrQmnJyISkFhuNvpnd7oqKNQjEfhI6DdWW5X6EFA38Mmp1wEaXrraE0ptA0jeR4by369f1DdWeb8CpbIKcv3JkB_N5Ct-fopBdYFl0gvVG1sUaVJuV5i3YiSlVjCAZS19YG/s1600/2014-01-04+2014+Jan+4+Presque+Isle+Owls+126+copy+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWprE8yFQBwNrQmnJyISkFhuNvpnd7oqKNQjEfhI6DdWW5X6EFA38Mmp1wEaXrraE0ptA0jeR4by369f1DdWeb8CpbIKcv3JkB_N5Ct-fopBdYFl0gvVG1sUaVJuV5i3YiSlVjCAZS19YG/s1600/2014-01-04+2014+Jan+4+Presque+Isle+Owls+126+copy+(Large).jpg" height="512" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The main reason for including this shot is to show the amount of ice crystals and sand in the air as the winds pummeled us.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhizRW5e0XpHWxDNC96Zt6mV8kGJ2_bSE4uvODrvoOimFVbWXRuixDoDvSMaElXpJHkj9GYIpkgA9oJ0qftEAX4Uat3X4sgr_qkBxQtO7gw7EciE7a25wtxqDTa_vQCwL-fdcN7QmAEEh05/s1600/2014-01-04+2014+Jan+4+Presque+Isle+Owls+141+copy+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhizRW5e0XpHWxDNC96Zt6mV8kGJ2_bSE4uvODrvoOimFVbWXRuixDoDvSMaElXpJHkj9GYIpkgA9oJ0qftEAX4Uat3X4sgr_qkBxQtO7gw7EciE7a25wtxqDTa_vQCwL-fdcN7QmAEEh05/s1600/2014-01-04+2014+Jan+4+Presque+Isle+Owls+141+copy+(Large).jpg" height="640" width="510" /></a></div>
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PaWingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04319593598322983193noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129320946148714431.post-47994462489028502942013-12-03T19:48:00.002-05:002013-12-03T19:50:37.457-05:00Having a Blonde Moment<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I suppose I need to explain the title of this post because it does tend to be misleading. The male readers may be getting their hopes up thinking I will be posting images of beautiful blonde females. Come to think of it, I am. Then again there may be female readers that are expecting some cheap shots directed at the blonde sector of the female populous. While it's true that I have been guilty of such childish acts, that won't be the case this time. I'll save this for another post.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So just what kind of a blonde moment am I referring to, you may be wondering. Well, in this particular case I would be talking about blonde coyotes. And to be more specific, we're talking about a blonde female coyote. Typically when a person mentions coyotes, people cringe and make all kinds of faces, and picture this ugly predator with bloody fangs. Now I'm not saying that coyotes are the cutest critters in the world but surprisingly my images of this blonde female have gotten some positive comments. Instead of all the negative remarks I've actually heard people describing this blonde as beautiful. I've also had people asking if it is a dog. Well, in a way it is a dog but you don't want one sitting on your lap.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hope you enjoy these images.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The above image was modified using several different post processing effects. I just thought it was a neat look for such a mysterious predator.</span></div>
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PaWingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04319593598322983193noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129320946148714431.post-13971884899839034832013-10-10T20:21:00.001-04:002013-10-11T20:46:50.363-04:00Canadian Rockies - British Columbia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">April of 2013 Jeanne and I celebrated the milestone of 40 years together as husband and wife. So many times I've heard people talk about their years together and will often say that their relationship had some bad times but many good times. We have been blessed and can honestly say all our years have been incredible with no regrets. In 1983 our life became even richer when we were blessed with an amazing son Jeremy. Our family grew again when he married Amy who we absolutely adore. So you are probably asking what all this has to do with the Canadian Rockies. Every anniversary we would do something special that day but for our 40th we wanted it to be something extra special. We decided a trip to the Canadian Rockies would be the perfect destination. The purpose of this blog post is naturally to show you pictures from our trip but also to kinda' outline our route and itinerary in case others might want to do a similar trip.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our original plan was for early in June and to fly into Calgary where we would rent a car to tour the Rockies. As far as lodging we would be staying in hotels. There's a couple things to keep in mind in that regard. Finding hotels in the Canadian Rockies isn't at all like finding them in US vacation spots. The place with the highest concentration of lodging is in Banff which is at the southern end of the Canadian Rockies. Canmore has a few, as well as Lake Louise and Jasper but they aren't the chain hotels like you are used to seeing in the US. Due to the fact that there are so few, it is strongly advisable to make reservations well in advance. Another thing to keep in mind is that hotels in the Canadian Rockies are expensive and after Victoria Day the prices go through the roof. Also, there are major miles between Lake Louise and Jasper with little of nothing in regard to food or lodging.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">With these things in mind we planned our trip with a different approach. We decided to do our trip in late August which worked out well in regard to good weather. We flew into Calgary and rented a 30 foot motorhome from Cruise Canada. We went with the 30' because anything smaller didn't have an onboard generator. With this approach we would have lodging covered and also we could eat wherever and whenever we wanted. I might add that we dined at some incredible locations. Some mornings we would just pull over at a beautiful spot and sit out sipping our morning coffee. Gotta say, it was awesome! The other advantage of traveling with the motorhome is that it saved us the daily chore of hauling heavy camera gear and luggage in and out of hotels twice a day. It truly was the only way to travel and was quite comfortable. Campgrounds were never a problem as there seemed to be plenty of them. While we did have some nights that the regular campgrounds were full, they always had room in their overflow campgrounds. Some of these proved to be awesome locations and with the generator we had everything we needed. The motorhome had plenty of capacity for fresh water as well as gray and black water. To say that it worked out well would be quite and understatement. It worked out incredibly well!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After picking up the motorhome in Calgary we headed to a Walmart to get food and supplies for our 8 days on the road. We did eat out on 4 occasions but most of our meals were prepared in our camper. After leaving Calgary we headed west toward Canmore and then on to Banff. In the following days we would pass through Lake Louise and hit the Icefields Parkway enroute to Jasper. We spent one night in an overflow campground in Jasper which proved to be a reward rather than a curse. The mountains to the east of our campsite made an incredible backdrop as they became illuminated by the setting sun. We were also in an area of a heavy concentration of Wolves but sadly we didn't find them. Wolves and Grizzly's were high on my wish list in regard to photography subjects.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After spending a night in Jasper we headed into British Columbia to Mount Robson which is the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. This day the top was masked by cloud cover but beautiful just the same. This would be the most northern part of the trip and also one of three times that we would travel into and out of British Columbia. At the risk of putting the readers to sleep I will pick up the pace and quickly outline other places we visited and keep details to a minimum. I will also attempt to include a map showing our approximate breadcrumb trail. After leaving Mount Robson we headed south again and toured 4 different National Parks. The 4 parks would be Banff, Jasper, Yoho and Kootenay. Each park was beautiful in it's own way. By the time we returned to Calgary we will have traveled roughly 1600 kilometers. At this point we can move on to pictures and I will comment below the appropriate pictures.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0h4AKpKq1YMR9tmX5Tui2mDY6QikhZ8vmLtgjv7UOgfGigHCHjWmBX0IXN994J2nO_moW3n6BIDp_ddBARYnzKP84snFNnsdGhx6uJv12vZXOPYmP9PPH_aPW7-AllxTvaV3iA3Y6iRBv/s1600/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+1+211+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0h4AKpKq1YMR9tmX5Tui2mDY6QikhZ8vmLtgjv7UOgfGigHCHjWmBX0IXN994J2nO_moW3n6BIDp_ddBARYnzKP84snFNnsdGhx6uJv12vZXOPYmP9PPH_aPW7-AllxTvaV3iA3Y6iRBv/s640/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+1+211+(Large).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jeanne might say that I was a bit crabby here but it's because I'm much more comfortable behind the lens rather than in front of it. This is at a trailhead into backcountry with a high concentration of Wolves. We actually would be camping only a 75 yards or less from this trailhead. It was a beautiful and desolate location with indescribable beauty.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7e4moJxRAzD6B_GjcNahjuas54vIw4YvPIzPP-ThfybJwgl280Rifv8a4Z28YdglEdNrfiZ3ZrI36dcSwJTuDloLCeNwJLP0qHdwlhif3L8RbDgm4isfgRoe-8m4hhrJuI-bwEBKAYFxv/s1600/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+1+323+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7e4moJxRAzD6B_GjcNahjuas54vIw4YvPIzPP-ThfybJwgl280Rifv8a4Z28YdglEdNrfiZ3ZrI36dcSwJTuDloLCeNwJLP0qHdwlhif3L8RbDgm4isfgRoe-8m4hhrJuI-bwEBKAYFxv/s640/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+1+323+(Large).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Canadian Rockies are quite different than the US Rockies. The US Rockies are primarily metamorphic or granite rocks while the Canadian Rockies are jagged shale and limestone.</span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6XU7ZtmNXJthhzKK3bOAdozTJ9mAzAORIN5QAqXR0_gDwxnXKthyphenhyphenby5p2Y32FrkOSOF8bN9seGiIHEUVQ8spfN1dpu-UUGRbFZUCqP2bNJQbHC8leT4K8efCAuVO5sgqIcW84P8wg7oHV/s1600/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+1+404+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6XU7ZtmNXJthhzKK3bOAdozTJ9mAzAORIN5QAqXR0_gDwxnXKthyphenhyphenby5p2Y32FrkOSOF8bN9seGiIHEUVQ8spfN1dpu-UUGRbFZUCqP2bNJQbHC8leT4K8efCAuVO5sgqIcW84P8wg7oHV/s640/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+1+404+(Large).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bighorn Sheep along the Icefields Parkway. The 600mm was my lens of choice for these critters.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT2j_JhoxEay0xPJlqc98gevv94myxkjCgvMU7ITIoAUXjqAZrpGo81G8fxTf_eqx01EezKvp9jcEX58o1tpYH2aKUrNafZpCLcvRoAeDWfNl1rqM0gkROlVGfz6sqQ4gpOaokuopHyz_1/s1600/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+1+415+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT2j_JhoxEay0xPJlqc98gevv94myxkjCgvMU7ITIoAUXjqAZrpGo81G8fxTf_eqx01EezKvp9jcEX58o1tpYH2aKUrNafZpCLcvRoAeDWfNl1rqM0gkROlVGfz6sqQ4gpOaokuopHyz_1/s640/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+1+415+(Large).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can count the obvious rings on their horns to tell their age. Bighorn Sheep will try to stay up out of the way so you need to watch closely or they could easily be missed.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3iyCvLYbEvHKy5AOZBDKcziPAb2TlM3tgCVvBQVLIwYyhUGF3UDOUhJp0WTMJzCUH47rda_xpK25fMW9iIC3BNrGmNt6_X52oQFmeHjltK2cG2GPlKNRol6SnglgFgaw1PHr3jB5lRZu/s1600/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+2+102+copy+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3iyCvLYbEvHKy5AOZBDKcziPAb2TlM3tgCVvBQVLIwYyhUGF3UDOUhJp0WTMJzCUH47rda_xpK25fMW9iIC3BNrGmNt6_X52oQFmeHjltK2cG2GPlKNRol6SnglgFgaw1PHr3jB5lRZu/s640/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+2+102+copy+(Large).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is a Mountain Goat which by the way are very cool. I was tempted to Photoshop a Polar Bear head on his body and claim we saw a Polar Bear but I held back.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQbZYtk998IL243SLZQyO7Qvmi9byp6ic1JkEWOLQcdnsOg1i3l7z8kdGGgIe5yqFECv05BzdSl30t5CqDxne4gH_hbMKsrglJRaEPUV6WDuyeDd4UfV3Af2vDkG2SdZXlB14n9TTLykS/s1600/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+2+507+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQbZYtk998IL243SLZQyO7Qvmi9byp6ic1JkEWOLQcdnsOg1i3l7z8kdGGgIe5yqFECv05BzdSl30t5CqDxne4gH_hbMKsrglJRaEPUV6WDuyeDd4UfV3Af2vDkG2SdZXlB14n9TTLykS/s640/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+2+507+(Large).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you look closely you will see a rainbow. We did in fact see many rainbows on this trip which really added to the natural beauty.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was a very high waterfalls, possibly 300 feet or more. It was difficult to get a picture that really tripped my trigger. I guess it was neater to see than it was to photograph.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1NzqvT-eiUf1uKH8MN11HefwP9zXptnkpUwhe95Sza1yT_-mjIcmQFE1s9JXDB91R3b6GnBsq6JHFplbf6_QSf17uLanvaze4boL3XKOEA6F5Jg_IttYSyiVg3E3lBwwAqJsSEWMICV3V/s1600/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1NzqvT-eiUf1uKH8MN11HefwP9zXptnkpUwhe95Sza1yT_-mjIcmQFE1s9JXDB91R3b6GnBsq6JHFplbf6_QSf17uLanvaze4boL3XKOEA6F5Jg_IttYSyiVg3E3lBwwAqJsSEWMICV3V/s640/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+(Large).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This image was taken just before nightfall and at quite a long distance that even challenged my 600. There were actually several elk including a large bull that swam the Athabasca River which was running high and fast. I think Mommy was relieved when this last young one made it safely to the opposite bank.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJrNpS9zAD4S1zxP7IheuJc0qBtu_ubwCYoOtK9FxLoiCh0yAtXoOeDd1EiwWZK9wTflZByMahOT7KxUEfVyvlVjtCHjoVPgK2CkCDtC2QkrM5KgGeJ1VzLiUfJvT6whqnEdaKWXG1VRY/s1600/2013+Aug+29+Canadian+Rockies+2+012+copy+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJrNpS9zAD4S1zxP7IheuJc0qBtu_ubwCYoOtK9FxLoiCh0yAtXoOeDd1EiwWZK9wTflZByMahOT7KxUEfVyvlVjtCHjoVPgK2CkCDtC2QkrM5KgGeJ1VzLiUfJvT6whqnEdaKWXG1VRY/s640/2013+Aug+29+Canadian+Rockies+2+012+copy+(Large).jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This little fella is a Ground Squirrel. We were in British Columbia in Kootenay National Park and had pulled into a small side road that led to the Kootenay River. We were looking for a beautiful spot to have dinner and this fit the bill perfectly. After a great roadside meal we sat around watching for critters on the opposite side of the river and had the cameras all set up and ready to go. As it turned out, this little Ground Squirrel showed up and gave us tons of photo opportunities. In fact, at one point I had enticed his little appetite and he actually sat on my foot. He was a cool little guy.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcGdF92y6tVmgNtMDFz7Y9LSXbhj0yxgvGSh6xYDUV49Tr4l35QgLoH6kRtipPBEZE5Nrus-vHOgH2Ab85lOmPwcYpwxHVkuUFUZleWYbDMg5XOAWxChs3dk2xbfCON0KhyAdsp5SMRs90/s1600/2013+Aug+29+Canadian+Rockies+2+066+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcGdF92y6tVmgNtMDFz7Y9LSXbhj0yxgvGSh6xYDUV49Tr4l35QgLoH6kRtipPBEZE5Nrus-vHOgH2Ab85lOmPwcYpwxHVkuUFUZleWYbDMg5XOAWxChs3dk2xbfCON0KhyAdsp5SMRs90/s640/2013+Aug+29+Canadian+Rockies+2+066+(Large).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here is the same Ground Squirrel posing for another shot.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVDLK3ZpPfYkUbA0z_0uP9-oZnik1GYQ7DpNBWtDksyMNz4Ped9EWsOqLv-3dG-SDdVnN7Jka4MjRF5OuvfxoTGjCj6FVR6ghn3IKsq2emgphIj5bciVF4SL8elF1SNs05gOQIQvcVGeb1/s1600/2013+Aug+29+Canadian+Rockies+2+132+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVDLK3ZpPfYkUbA0z_0uP9-oZnik1GYQ7DpNBWtDksyMNz4Ped9EWsOqLv-3dG-SDdVnN7Jka4MjRF5OuvfxoTGjCj6FVR6ghn3IKsq2emgphIj5bciVF4SL8elF1SNs05gOQIQvcVGeb1/s640/2013+Aug+29+Canadian+Rockies+2+132+(Large).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We found this cow Moose enjoying a nice wallow.</span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9m-9iS_EEsAYE8-yFzRWQuhwV8v3AoVmByhsEk52EII7c3Y0CYH1tD_m-oGmfjp2OCFoS_4XZtcK1od-VjkXdZyy2LS9CNUNsC60VmX2gGm_FCc9OrPypHfKsl6MOKTxhwVaI18ZGlJP1/s1600/2013+Aug+29+Canadian+Rockies+2+155+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9m-9iS_EEsAYE8-yFzRWQuhwV8v3AoVmByhsEk52EII7c3Y0CYH1tD_m-oGmfjp2OCFoS_4XZtcK1od-VjkXdZyy2LS9CNUNsC60VmX2gGm_FCc9OrPypHfKsl6MOKTxhwVaI18ZGlJP1/s640/2013+Aug+29+Canadian+Rockies+2+155+(Large).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jeanne had her heart set on seeing a Moose even if it was just a cow. When she saw this bull she was thrilled. Believe it or not we photographed this fella early in the morning at a place called Moose Meadows. What's the odds of that?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Ibye9hBGqWiW3jmsuE3bvZhyphenhyphenLY2FE4Nrq6HUJeNmdTXQS7noQW0CXZLYMyjtT2EvNWh8DUTWVvQTW6O1ACth01sJXTCAYhK2i05ti-2KBdVkLgjmzjnMekSjHhZxDAM3bPXdq34lr2v0/s1600/2013+Aug+29+Canadian+Rockies+2+235+copy+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Ibye9hBGqWiW3jmsuE3bvZhyphenhyphenLY2FE4Nrq6HUJeNmdTXQS7noQW0CXZLYMyjtT2EvNWh8DUTWVvQTW6O1ACth01sJXTCAYhK2i05ti-2KBdVkLgjmzjnMekSjHhZxDAM3bPXdq34lr2v0/s640/2013+Aug+29+Canadian+Rockies+2+235+copy+(Large).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This cool bird is called a Black Billed Magpie. It had neat colors and a very long tail. They are quite prevalent in the Canadian Rockies.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahl_bh3xw7dlnLWiP5GWA4ulI9YOfS8lEZDdzdtsQ-js7qr0mCXsdn6LpK_msdOHL8OHI0gGMCX4lrRaBbHw4BXcmcAed4f9G0v7zxL2nl5mI2F15W4aouQgTi93aiN2yXII9lquCEHlL/s1600/2013+July+19+Hawk,+Elk+and+Flowers+085+copy+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahl_bh3xw7dlnLWiP5GWA4ulI9YOfS8lEZDdzdtsQ-js7qr0mCXsdn6LpK_msdOHL8OHI0gGMCX4lrRaBbHw4BXcmcAed4f9G0v7zxL2nl5mI2F15W4aouQgTi93aiN2yXII9lquCEHlL/s640/2013+July+19+Hawk,+Elk+and+Flowers+085+copy+(Large).jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I don't really like taking pictures of hawks or any other bird when it's perched on wires but sometimes you just have to ignore your own rules.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32QQE1fvkTVpwA_72dYSUrm9JnVAhZs63_aLTPkI0s7BXo74BIOj4vOuFtrDF5acwLKLW67uRvmy6-VSNaP2QZVE5qGwoYpPcd1HQy7rUdZbjoPPBBMHKrf-kmJ6FzI5cOVRhyphenhyphenbARj35h/s1600/2013+July+28+East+Branch+Camping+127+copy+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32QQE1fvkTVpwA_72dYSUrm9JnVAhZs63_aLTPkI0s7BXo74BIOj4vOuFtrDF5acwLKLW67uRvmy6-VSNaP2QZVE5qGwoYpPcd1HQy7rUdZbjoPPBBMHKrf-kmJ6FzI5cOVRhyphenhyphenbARj35h/s640/2013+July+28+East+Branch+Camping+127+copy+(Large).jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here is a bee gathering pollen as another bee does a fly by.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6LtOpR2ICiLOAeCQg0bIJD63J1tZQQByTqD1T9ObLL3velO3ejjLpCsJ1XwBFCW55ku63H2dsdg8Uocna__gT2ELqnD2n1IvtwJmSWCUtOaoNIBx9zm2sCqHANT2WsGcHUiKhEp45jOWe/s1600/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+1+041+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6LtOpR2ICiLOAeCQg0bIJD63J1tZQQByTqD1T9ObLL3velO3ejjLpCsJ1XwBFCW55ku63H2dsdg8Uocna__gT2ELqnD2n1IvtwJmSWCUtOaoNIBx9zm2sCqHANT2WsGcHUiKhEp45jOWe/s640/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+1+041+(Large).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I suppose now is as good a time as ever to make a statement and set the record straight. The water you will see was not photoshopped and is truly <span style="color: #0b5394;"><strong>BLUE. </strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: large;">The blue color comes from what is called "rock flour". Rock flour is finely ground limestone dust that was reduce to this powder by the glaciers. The fine particles are suspended in the water and when the sun shines through it all the colors of the spectrum are filtered out except for the brilliant blue or turquoise. Depending on the size of the rock flour particles the lakes may have different shades of blue. It's actually quite incredible.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKPNpwQwMHeixyLv2FTuCg22UagRvvTsY6bHRHxZIvbUZvRFHpEfTbg6TUNyMNuwj5ua8iRp6Z0O1pkz7C-W39HNDbXU4qolMY3d4_nZF6Ff7sHo7QU84tNg8Mk6skabfx943Oosi8Uxv/s1600/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+1+251+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKPNpwQwMHeixyLv2FTuCg22UagRvvTsY6bHRHxZIvbUZvRFHpEfTbg6TUNyMNuwj5ua8iRp6Z0O1pkz7C-W39HNDbXU4qolMY3d4_nZF6Ff7sHo7QU84tNg8Mk6skabfx943Oosi8Uxv/s640/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+1+251+(Large).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is Mount Robson which is the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. It is actually located in British Columbia. On this morning, clouds would hide the very top of the mountain. We still thought it was beautiful. At the base of the mountain there is a small café where we ate breakfast as we gazed at this amazing scene.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHw3NunZ7R1usvevjWQXLyQJXlSIuxnIYgcsbJXXikVPuNeprahJRl43MA3o5QJSNOB2ywF21IovaCawmlUp-sx_Cm4tWM-z3lyrwytK_3MJ9HcKxHoCzw6_HBDX5NWJAJlLYmoqbLCp8_/s1600/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+1+517+812+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHw3NunZ7R1usvevjWQXLyQJXlSIuxnIYgcsbJXXikVPuNeprahJRl43MA3o5QJSNOB2ywF21IovaCawmlUp-sx_Cm4tWM-z3lyrwytK_3MJ9HcKxHoCzw6_HBDX5NWJAJlLYmoqbLCp8_/s640/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+1+517+812+(Large).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This picture was taken in the Valley of the Ten Peaks at Moraine Lake. The background may look like a fake backdrop but I assure you what you see is real, only the names were changed to protect the innocent. This water is quite blue because this lake is primarily glacier fed. Did I mention that we were the only two people in the Canadian Rockies dressed in camo? I hope we started a trend.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5A6IScsR69nIEYnEb5559tUwvoJhY6KeYA-k9Bzuuiq02IiepUdLbNhLHdHMg4zwVlvI_WHnbPzO8qR31O_lywOAU-pHvUBuo5zS9f4tGNCv1os_JukltAuDdXLQY_tKOCR8kezcTK8ru/s1600/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+1+521+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5A6IScsR69nIEYnEb5559tUwvoJhY6KeYA-k9Bzuuiq02IiepUdLbNhLHdHMg4zwVlvI_WHnbPzO8qR31O_lywOAU-pHvUBuo5zS9f4tGNCv1os_JukltAuDdXLQY_tKOCR8kezcTK8ru/s640/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+1+521+(Large).jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another shot of Lake Moraine. This lake is just a short drive from Lake Louise. Not only is this a beautiful lake but there were very few people as compared to Lake Louise. We took this shot from the Rockpile Trail.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfSfo-3s3wJ-uO_YNTkyBv7d22QvJXEyRy3JXmczQqqMhO72L4T18KLxBFgVZglURLWfqTCwSka4hJftZ7dfBLk0Iphmmmq0Jn0HddwaP9zTJCnubodLg1RBxj74-EBCZXGfS3OToFC5Jz/s1600/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+1+533+812+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfSfo-3s3wJ-uO_YNTkyBv7d22QvJXEyRy3JXmczQqqMhO72L4T18KLxBFgVZglURLWfqTCwSka4hJftZ7dfBLk0Iphmmmq0Jn0HddwaP9zTJCnubodLg1RBxj74-EBCZXGfS3OToFC5Jz/s640/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+1+533+812+(Large).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I shot this photo from a different angle and just as the sun poked out from behind a cloud. The blue color was nothing short of pure brilliant.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbCt40f4Wcw-I31UsA78JEiZjQ7LQ-4O_Hgbm_EMDyiBDcrD-DYnkkotCJaWtOt-YkeMjStpkAh3MPcLNNosFEQcqOdQu4UGx6uzMFR3T-Fy6IVXE4gw3IFI5c_PB0m7uMnQ_f_Tq2CvwZ/s1600/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+1+546+812+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbCt40f4Wcw-I31UsA78JEiZjQ7LQ-4O_Hgbm_EMDyiBDcrD-DYnkkotCJaWtOt-YkeMjStpkAh3MPcLNNosFEQcqOdQu4UGx6uzMFR3T-Fy6IVXE4gw3IFI5c_PB0m7uMnQ_f_Tq2CvwZ/s640/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+1+546+812+(Large).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is Emerald Lake which is not far from Jasper. We arrived here quite early in the morning before the fog had a chance to lift completely. Even better was the fact that at this early hour we had this tranquility to ourselves.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73tv1hZjwD_OPoe3UqvgyEIwJQMy4d0YVC6bFBS9V-eWbmwvs6WBk3-wNxZNQbJV6jv41XmA900h2x30iKiJjgNcF74LRHJYk-ZCJzprIxeVwe3-GvjkXLPuXy9sBZMFxTK6cQvjMvx9N/s1600/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+2+430+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73tv1hZjwD_OPoe3UqvgyEIwJQMy4d0YVC6bFBS9V-eWbmwvs6WBk3-wNxZNQbJV6jv41XmA900h2x30iKiJjgNcF74LRHJYk-ZCJzprIxeVwe3-GvjkXLPuXy9sBZMFxTK6cQvjMvx9N/s640/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+2+430+(Large).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I really don't have much to say about these two images other than, you just had to be there!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlGVVqfr67Jgtggsb-YU-AWaaWGU1SiEMyVhh50-Yxo-H-da5O4wTYDeBa_9FwCu0RkCRW0VSj8kBfe0Hrz38WuQcowWWEydnPN7EOqa5U0Lu9iNuuQ48B8JYCbOieUoRNCMD1nr2ZsL1/s1600/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+2+440+copy+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlGVVqfr67Jgtggsb-YU-AWaaWGU1SiEMyVhh50-Yxo-H-da5O4wTYDeBa_9FwCu0RkCRW0VSj8kBfe0Hrz38WuQcowWWEydnPN7EOqa5U0Lu9iNuuQ48B8JYCbOieUoRNCMD1nr2ZsL1/s640/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+2+440+copy+(Large).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwOhlTHWfP9vEjwD1GVt_Ii3Pc-uDNczwyWZqA9phaOlQhNp-87vKtIRfQ176IspLywq4p3ZHA7UEkLdApIMQktri8wTuZaZPqs1z4g4ei-Cv3DKIqoDLqecFL3qPhSYttCInpeI2znsHy/s1600/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+2+462+812+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwOhlTHWfP9vEjwD1GVt_Ii3Pc-uDNczwyWZqA9phaOlQhNp-87vKtIRfQ176IspLywq4p3ZHA7UEkLdApIMQktri8wTuZaZPqs1z4g4ei-Cv3DKIqoDLqecFL3qPhSYttCInpeI2znsHy/s640/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+2+462+812+(Large).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just another Big Horn.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCol9zz4NxM6oZlSnLma7Hl0FFh5Q4LfZS-LyD2TLfROTOayfCX1M9WOXU1RTkkfVpS81kAKc6sJM7vRRVMaKxZnm3Us1UoyHX6bVR6rCOM4hr8g59Yk1ftk9I72DZFa29Krmm4UrE3TCQ/s1600/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+2+491+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCol9zz4NxM6oZlSnLma7Hl0FFh5Q4LfZS-LyD2TLfROTOayfCX1M9WOXU1RTkkfVpS81kAKc6sJM7vRRVMaKxZnm3Us1UoyHX6bVR6rCOM4hr8g59Yk1ftk9I72DZFa29Krmm4UrE3TCQ/s640/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+2+491+(Large).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is a shot of the Columbia Icefields in the background. In the foreground is our Motorhome and one of the all wheel drive buses that carry people out on the glacier.</span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbHmtCe8ieNHfaQSRew7TSkgh1gPAKk7d5HZtw_DlbIqvGOjepHfOpqb993n63ZpV4cIVIdNjZ5vJ1uAXWLCH8hVkgSw6ZnxsLI-MifbHolJrbUZfpaJG5asS9QiDZHIx-mJY2cTLXEVyL/s1600/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+2+504+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbHmtCe8ieNHfaQSRew7TSkgh1gPAKk7d5HZtw_DlbIqvGOjepHfOpqb993n63ZpV4cIVIdNjZ5vJ1uAXWLCH8hVkgSw6ZnxsLI-MifbHolJrbUZfpaJG5asS9QiDZHIx-mJY2cTLXEVyL/s640/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+2+504+(Large).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I really never got the shot that I was hoping for here but we sure treasured the view.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjKWrvpAL3hj_2Bc9K6avXW2w3yKKwi-MRPwaaPVrKl9NYCYUT2xrLxRW0Bi3KUtOZ7FFW6YAE9cdShYxm6NcyKvgD_q6TkoSi24meuO5wehc-2WZKUApjY2SSN1NhQmCgwHumi9FhjZUB/s1600/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+812+(2)+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjKWrvpAL3hj_2Bc9K6avXW2w3yKKwi-MRPwaaPVrKl9NYCYUT2xrLxRW0Bi3KUtOZ7FFW6YAE9cdShYxm6NcyKvgD_q6TkoSi24meuO5wehc-2WZKUApjY2SSN1NhQmCgwHumi9FhjZUB/s640/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+812+(2)+(Large).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just liked the color contrast on this shot. It's nothing special but not bad either.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2xHiOPEzC2n-r5IIIa2xdKPVdlv9AEvxtmC-tSQJJsKKgMlFAFNgWpFxytG9IOPGD-BwuAML691IQo8QZEC_-AHUtKu0U3YXF9GzpbCsKiTScNpfHKbBM2RjUei7DAxYpMXSv2ITMPW0/s1600/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+812+(4)+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2xHiOPEzC2n-r5IIIa2xdKPVdlv9AEvxtmC-tSQJJsKKgMlFAFNgWpFxytG9IOPGD-BwuAML691IQo8QZEC_-AHUtKu0U3YXF9GzpbCsKiTScNpfHKbBM2RjUei7DAxYpMXSv2ITMPW0/s640/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+812+(4)+(Large).jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another cool roadside waterfalls.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA2igFWvmbeOrJpCs8brNH43LsScPGUyisC9D6qh1uOOlQA3RQ05eM6RWbTw3idJ4i4D9bPrNtBnPp3bYWnvCIvXu948KxOBR8oPAqTr1CbOW-EKyqOaHgoVRxCkpPgCHpWFRYHGYVsu3b/s1600/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+812+(5)+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA2igFWvmbeOrJpCs8brNH43LsScPGUyisC9D6qh1uOOlQA3RQ05eM6RWbTw3idJ4i4D9bPrNtBnPp3bYWnvCIvXu948KxOBR8oPAqTr1CbOW-EKyqOaHgoVRxCkpPgCHpWFRYHGYVsu3b/s640/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+812+(5)+(Large).jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is Athabasca Falls. The picture doesn't do it justice but it's the best I could do.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijl_qK_ViSlm_58zgvk6lHyqyWQnwW25PRN82DQR4wujSi2hrWhbLNHGQingdqf7aaLw2TMFzkNezihX_6cRbKdzx6gutywLsmOxsYRaxSjpGVoFxkF8uO52ds_ijE8EQRaQee6DSokYhu/s1600/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+812+(6)+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijl_qK_ViSlm_58zgvk6lHyqyWQnwW25PRN82DQR4wujSi2hrWhbLNHGQingdqf7aaLw2TMFzkNezihX_6cRbKdzx6gutywLsmOxsYRaxSjpGVoFxkF8uO52ds_ijE8EQRaQee6DSokYhu/s640/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+812+(6)+(Large).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lake Louise is beautiful but way too many people for our liking. On one end of the lake is a huge, and I do mean huge hotel. It's big and fancy and expensive and once again we were the only two people dressed in camo. I bet all those other people really felt underdressed in their silly tourist clothes.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIZsIietYMZrFdsIL7G6fMlOSlSrvKi96J6Qpl7UDUdc317td_ye-J6smrBt9TuLzOg116Q3nrqviDCPnaYDdXiHyhzzqZwjHs2t6Daz0GQktS7gQRtv-eU0E9CitTnXl6WKHng59RVbRq/s1600/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+812+(7)+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIZsIietYMZrFdsIL7G6fMlOSlSrvKi96J6Qpl7UDUdc317td_ye-J6smrBt9TuLzOg116Q3nrqviDCPnaYDdXiHyhzzqZwjHs2t6Daz0GQktS7gQRtv-eU0E9CitTnXl6WKHng59RVbRq/s640/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+812+(7)+(Large).jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Every time there was another rainbow I wasn't ready for it and always caught it as it was fading.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZC3GgXDwoX8m7GykGpbSNAOWwpniYw3pzaUTbGYVdNRb9XhnXjqAPBA8SKmQizEc68niIHDkUJZrKm2ApFLjZdT_kJQtf6OOuN1XouQzWK1FFMv7NzRMQb7HnIPPG_PFqH9HHW6BXGRik/s1600/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+812+(8)+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZC3GgXDwoX8m7GykGpbSNAOWwpniYw3pzaUTbGYVdNRb9XhnXjqAPBA8SKmQizEc68niIHDkUJZrKm2ApFLjZdT_kJQtf6OOuN1XouQzWK1FFMv7NzRMQb7HnIPPG_PFqH9HHW6BXGRik/s640/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+812+(8)+(Large).jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I promise this will be the last shot of this beautiful lake.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ylcIDAhLKEyVBoDCeYRJlIAi227brUNPYpoYt39cfSyhkjTuUYJ3GGChlLu-EhKC1Y9NEgFTlMMNY1j8Ef31jPNQ5uSMM0nkrZQP1HYsfSg25Cw4FOstX0RUr2HyFoC70A2Xfw_LGibv/s1600/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+812+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ylcIDAhLKEyVBoDCeYRJlIAi227brUNPYpoYt39cfSyhkjTuUYJ3GGChlLu-EhKC1Y9NEgFTlMMNY1j8Ef31jPNQ5uSMM0nkrZQP1HYsfSg25Cw4FOstX0RUr2HyFoC70A2Xfw_LGibv/s640/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+812+(Large).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I was trying to compose this picture I tried every position and angle to not include the fence in the shot but as it turned out I think the fence adds to the shot. Hope you agree and also like the picture.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB6u5tNPqIrAPf6vqlkZGHHdLT9a7V87AR-YjtRXLn5ggxD4A7ArB5G54LSbE0e-aNCRMad-5x8KvIx3V7ofXdcO1ObARKgUJ-Lp6Lah_eATIadtKFW-vPIeBp9q1rhTsITU67_YCWA5rp/s1600/2013+Aug+29+Canadian+Rockies+2+019+812+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB6u5tNPqIrAPf6vqlkZGHHdLT9a7V87AR-YjtRXLn5ggxD4A7ArB5G54LSbE0e-aNCRMad-5x8KvIx3V7ofXdcO1ObARKgUJ-Lp6Lah_eATIadtKFW-vPIeBp9q1rhTsITU67_YCWA5rp/s640/2013+Aug+29+Canadian+Rockies+2+019+812+(Large).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes you need a little time exposure combined with a Circular Polarizer.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgENegVUQYSDXJ-87VbaAWGg672Aj0PY9VNadWovQklEgtO3lZCnoyoOv_Jf8vRFf1qA_oT5cDdj6q9pwGaj8W5Hkrvh1lvEQ0LwAhcBPLJmY3_2PXYVaVHGKjRbccrJmDpZFQ8hxJ-XeDG/s1600/2013+Aug+29+Canadian+Rockies+2+154+812+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgENegVUQYSDXJ-87VbaAWGg672Aj0PY9VNadWovQklEgtO3lZCnoyoOv_Jf8vRFf1qA_oT5cDdj6q9pwGaj8W5Hkrvh1lvEQ0LwAhcBPLJmY3_2PXYVaVHGKjRbccrJmDpZFQ8hxJ-XeDG/s640/2013+Aug+29+Canadian+Rockies+2+154+812+(Large).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Okay, now just look at me and lift your front leg a bit to make the picture look more interesting. Perfect!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheU4FzGWloByebC7o85DDMqW9yG7rmQUERScDKez0lhb_LZCIdTJiHQXDlp3NVfNWMjRhOwNKhxEFCJcHAAmzATfjpe-ZqXOjYhpzJOrWSM0-l64QM712QMPqLh4HnEc7OK8If7haoSZJ_/s1600/2013+Aug+29+Canadian+Rockies+2+197+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheU4FzGWloByebC7o85DDMqW9yG7rmQUERScDKez0lhb_LZCIdTJiHQXDlp3NVfNWMjRhOwNKhxEFCJcHAAmzATfjpe-ZqXOjYhpzJOrWSM0-l64QM712QMPqLh4HnEc7OK8If7haoSZJ_/s640/2013+Aug+29+Canadian+Rockies+2+197+(Large).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I swear, there is a beaver down there</span>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTrJ3gNnMjDAZpSbfHRW8WWojhQWIscGN6RiTYJ0ZX6jA7g6KkbKRmI_aLiBPQbA3KIYRmI1sysM8UGZ3UoQWp20ufyT2C947wbf-kgCr_U0lvYRubCD_MO8oj6Nmi6I_2BW-e8hmEfM5-/s1600/2013+Aug+29+Canadian+Rockies+2+206+812+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTrJ3gNnMjDAZpSbfHRW8WWojhQWIscGN6RiTYJ0ZX6jA7g6KkbKRmI_aLiBPQbA3KIYRmI1sysM8UGZ3UoQWp20ufyT2C947wbf-kgCr_U0lvYRubCD_MO8oj6Nmi6I_2BW-e8hmEfM5-/s640/2013+Aug+29+Canadian+Rockies+2+206+812+(Large).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is a very neat town in the Canadian Rockies called Banff. It's loaded with shops and eateries and way too many people. Jeanne enjoyed a few hours of shopping while I on the other hand didn't. On the other hand we ate at a place called Tony Romas and they had great food with reasonable prices.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-GWFINWEdBNHy_EUWVISkCJsnTNWfTUGSIHVDGi-zJg90wAZUqoKQs-44jyJvJMC4ZDhlVk9-HF93F0GxD0PywMYZiWwGjfM11qctmKlAI68PPAN1flkPQhJNMV8HLzS-TP8LGdILv84u/s1600/2013+Aug+29+Canadian+Rockies+2+219+812+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-GWFINWEdBNHy_EUWVISkCJsnTNWfTUGSIHVDGi-zJg90wAZUqoKQs-44jyJvJMC4ZDhlVk9-HF93F0GxD0PywMYZiWwGjfM11qctmKlAI68PPAN1flkPQhJNMV8HLzS-TP8LGdILv84u/s640/2013+Aug+29+Canadian+Rockies+2+219+812+(Large).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This place is called the Fairmont Banff. It was so big I was lucky to get even half of it in one picture. A bit too fancy for our liking and if I told you what it cost to stay there you would think I was jerking your chain. As we drove by we watched closely for someone wearing camo but surprisingly enough we were the only ones. I hope they felt pretty foolish.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkiyIyKGkeYrz-mxlUP3FyvdO5gD8XyA753bAlNF0rDhutX4xYy3niFj6NbOoJpNXyyInPl6bCd_SdEfZjZepYIIEIfIvQqureskAw9a54m4xWu_zGIXXG8oRlBxM5m572p5BkSFaAV_Lg/s1600/Aug+29+Canadian+Rockies+4+015+812+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkiyIyKGkeYrz-mxlUP3FyvdO5gD8XyA753bAlNF0rDhutX4xYy3niFj6NbOoJpNXyyInPl6bCd_SdEfZjZepYIIEIfIvQqureskAw9a54m4xWu_zGIXXG8oRlBxM5m572p5BkSFaAV_Lg/s640/Aug+29+Canadian+Rockies+4+015+812+(Large).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just stopped here for our morning coffee and to enjoy the view. Nice camo, by the way!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsg9B-H9aB3vG9lnCTjuZwBqGBYHyYS4rpMn9U8w1w0ImnsgXCTQK4kVRBHdAtG7M3tH1PD2OQgWtKN8xAbOvzrXTjqLcCRjpMQOukG0EAfTRRrNLuRZrVRitOWogwA5R-pfRoK41TtoH_/s1600/PF0C3692+812+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsg9B-H9aB3vG9lnCTjuZwBqGBYHyYS4rpMn9U8w1w0ImnsgXCTQK4kVRBHdAtG7M3tH1PD2OQgWtKN8xAbOvzrXTjqLcCRjpMQOukG0EAfTRRrNLuRZrVRitOWogwA5R-pfRoK41TtoH_/s640/PF0C3692+812+(Large).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These are ewes and they were very cooperative.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1U2DxNmJ_ZXzaEomZH7BECcU0x6m0bKtl6dA70wXxvHjKMXLQrbJybwZASd6vTuvP9DFGc8PjnWbrUzFFQ234-8I6lbHLZhUl0gOoyVlvv06p5evXNt1uqD9L2AjAgdZHUUvNwZC5j1tc/s1600/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+2+357+%2528Large%2529+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1U2DxNmJ_ZXzaEomZH7BECcU0x6m0bKtl6dA70wXxvHjKMXLQrbJybwZASd6vTuvP9DFGc8PjnWbrUzFFQ234-8I6lbHLZhUl0gOoyVlvv06p5evXNt1uqD9L2AjAgdZHUUvNwZC5j1tc/s640/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+2+357+%2528Large%2529+%25282%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Dang, I just love these Buffaloberries! I hope I don't break a nail.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRM6iLmMYycyeAL_AJ0-WybOn0ZP9iocbP1PpN_Q3qS8gYMVHuM3K8wKvTiTdMtqxT4z_LUxB5ICxzy0_fTcnqqVbmW4g3mNB0wy6iHhuMPCRyhrkL0p4Lfvyc150FakCyr2U3y4XqWg9/s1600/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+1+197+(Large).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRM6iLmMYycyeAL_AJ0-WybOn0ZP9iocbP1PpN_Q3qS8gYMVHuM3K8wKvTiTdMtqxT4z_LUxB5ICxzy0_fTcnqqVbmW4g3mNB0wy6iHhuMPCRyhrkL0p4Lfvyc150FakCyr2U3y4XqWg9/s640/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+1+197+(Large).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The white thing you see is our motorhome. We didn't think this was a bad place to spend the night.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjillNEki7jKylgtYFfkOUiyeodHAbFGpLkYpz46iCgeVevrHVPi8bv2bg9S7EelMKgJsgswYZ2EODO-hax_6LY-NeJigXYYFyAxy4LbSOJyWG3TXQIthqlfDOJV2EL3DgwEFI23AERikq_/s1600/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+1+204+(Large).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjillNEki7jKylgtYFfkOUiyeodHAbFGpLkYpz46iCgeVevrHVPi8bv2bg9S7EelMKgJsgswYZ2EODO-hax_6LY-NeJigXYYFyAxy4LbSOJyWG3TXQIthqlfDOJV2EL3DgwEFI23AERikq_/s640/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+1+204+(Large).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We had a great night here at the base of a beautiful mountain range. This area is home to several wolf packs but sadly we couldn't locate them.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOSWXcPt7fRI7oho3JNfZef2Wu3fJ-Zfq86k9RsHmIeUx-fYongKTHHHT6BeefZtBSGtucIhu1qWjZCaoD1w1-JFneElR2-6enCS6jRdhPEtA-S6hrxGB_a_xB5S9vUlUbTl6b5Ii5P9ah/s1600/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+1+223+copy+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOSWXcPt7fRI7oho3JNfZef2Wu3fJ-Zfq86k9RsHmIeUx-fYongKTHHHT6BeefZtBSGtucIhu1qWjZCaoD1w1-JFneElR2-6enCS6jRdhPEtA-S6hrxGB_a_xB5S9vUlUbTl6b5Ii5P9ah/s640/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+1+223+copy+(Large).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was the last picture I took of this bull elk. I was positioning myself for better light and as I pressed the shutter I saw his lip begin to curl and knew he didn't like me anymore. He chased me but I survived. Actually this didn't scare me at all compared to the Grizzly Bear encounter. Let's just say that the Grizzly Bear encounter put a damper on my rationing of clean undershorts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another small group of Big Horn Sheep. I guess this would be called a herd as there were 8 or 9 of them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hard to believe that I had to go all the way to the Canadian Rockies to get a decent picture of a Kingfisher. Decent but not great!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1TsYGzJWovZsjo8IZuj6Xdw8J9KoajzCtGYTIKKQVHMKm3UB5M-YFrbRaOk6PUdo3Sf8u11sYxQRAOcvZcBknEyozJaH6U4a7vMhXOYZ8eBwyNMd922h7DisSPPmMgQMmgVwGSOciLnBt/s1600/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+2+067+copy+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1TsYGzJWovZsjo8IZuj6Xdw8J9KoajzCtGYTIKKQVHMKm3UB5M-YFrbRaOk6PUdo3Sf8u11sYxQRAOcvZcBknEyozJaH6U4a7vMhXOYZ8eBwyNMd922h7DisSPPmMgQMmgVwGSOciLnBt/s640/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+2+067+copy+(Large).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I really think adding a Polar Bear head to this Mountain Goat would fool many people.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPXYL3oAU-86aIYVTEqI5ndjMAc8SYdnx3-Qrtj2-4t8xDzC392PK5-ZNgj4UXSegM5jFCqRxDD1yqk4uqaWPDNY3AaIH2NSzGwBMP9CsKBXZ9zyktQzOd56foZ4-oUwotUL2psMApElZ/s1600/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+2+117+copy+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPXYL3oAU-86aIYVTEqI5ndjMAc8SYdnx3-Qrtj2-4t8xDzC392PK5-ZNgj4UXSegM5jFCqRxDD1yqk4uqaWPDNY3AaIH2NSzGwBMP9CsKBXZ9zyktQzOd56foZ4-oUwotUL2psMApElZ/s640/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+2+117+copy+(Large).jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'll spare you the details of what it took to get this shot but let me say it was a bit of luck mixed with some calculated speculation. I gave myself a little pat on the back when it paid off. I guess you could say I got your goat.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_drD3nuoXg5MpwPTZBE83DxlRRgM7hpZtoJP4WW1w4OtMuJhox-c_-mALxNIAa7MIMlDwWkDDzlt6z5P28zRZ3Jg4e_UzMkOGNNIDgbCqlKkGgcWIBetYXpE0dyF4mUuoKPAnZAfwrMp6/s1600/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+2+150+copy+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_drD3nuoXg5MpwPTZBE83DxlRRgM7hpZtoJP4WW1w4OtMuJhox-c_-mALxNIAa7MIMlDwWkDDzlt6z5P28zRZ3Jg4e_UzMkOGNNIDgbCqlKkGgcWIBetYXpE0dyF4mUuoKPAnZAfwrMp6/s640/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+2+150+copy+(Large).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We really didn't know if the little calves would survive the swim but fortunately they did. This was taken from maybe 250 yards in low light. I have other excuses for the bad picture but I'll let it go at that.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOs3kcE4zstM-dK3BJXcz4epHhiPGtm4bkmIRNURoa_snfxpJioHOJlW1I78QeZnEyFWLE4Ay9VL-WfAUr4QRFaC4IObiQSvmqpXrh6SijXkLKVDw-dtGEoh0Qqf3H0tHkKw2jejdMjQhh/s1600/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+2+248+copy+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOs3kcE4zstM-dK3BJXcz4epHhiPGtm4bkmIRNURoa_snfxpJioHOJlW1I78QeZnEyFWLE4Ay9VL-WfAUr4QRFaC4IObiQSvmqpXrh6SijXkLKVDw-dtGEoh0Qqf3H0tHkKw2jejdMjQhh/s640/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+2+248+copy+(Large).jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Had I been a bit quicker I would have caught the one cub a bit higher up the tree.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-yR1hgM4MhBZgbrjlFBh8GgBEIVC4OsuML37Y1SymJTSY4LKE5CleJIA-cND_i4On-uFtIYPxXvMr8g7HPutKO146jzapP4ZJ-rakj52mDvEHiOICxwMHLea0uPkb6XZDfGdxXRPteG2/s1600/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+2+252+copy+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-yR1hgM4MhBZgbrjlFBh8GgBEIVC4OsuML37Y1SymJTSY4LKE5CleJIA-cND_i4On-uFtIYPxXvMr8g7HPutKO146jzapP4ZJ-rakj52mDvEHiOICxwMHLea0uPkb6XZDfGdxXRPteG2/s640/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+2+252+copy+(Large).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I like to think that I'm a pretty decent judge of character and I don't think he was all that happy with me. Maybe I'm wrong but I don't think so.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY7qwo6OU5zvk8MRW02t3q8WPA45xUk2lV9IjZZ4uL3yNVmKc2154-jQoNunQ_OeLjU0aaVS-QyFf6vGlVQL2A9QvIDi9PNwicckt4CZnZ6otWpuQlkx3-BNrjovXou8bYJ4U1YVEwGD8m/s1600/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+2+320+copy+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY7qwo6OU5zvk8MRW02t3q8WPA45xUk2lV9IjZZ4uL3yNVmKc2154-jQoNunQ_OeLjU0aaVS-QyFf6vGlVQL2A9QvIDi9PNwicckt4CZnZ6otWpuQlkx3-BNrjovXou8bYJ4U1YVEwGD8m/s640/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+2+320+copy+(Large).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ2QmHQcZXbbsGIh2VKfV61SZKPLuGVBVdPEZalc38LR0Lz0_7zs2LAPwsnwoEla72B2YZAjL1khFlq8MNflgRew2ahmV2K-S67xV2r2XO9szWjysCRVv1DrUUWSLxQYIFqi_Ob_h5uoCG/s1600/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+2+352+copy+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ2QmHQcZXbbsGIh2VKfV61SZKPLuGVBVdPEZalc38LR0Lz0_7zs2LAPwsnwoEla72B2YZAjL1khFlq8MNflgRew2ahmV2K-S67xV2r2XO9szWjysCRVv1DrUUWSLxQYIFqi_Ob_h5uoCG/s640/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+2+352+copy+(Large).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yeah, I know what you're thinking, "look at the cute little cub with the V on his chest".</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYUfrnvnGGQugLQXLcbw3AVKaIIVPM3GfVthsenIrthN2xs3-QqXN4t94AWsY9mWm2rxXRs6TEmKOaRbkgtoq0GOPASiRfxFuKara4cf1Ze9ktWr2P293AWKoWKzzkYN5CZK5VHY8fY0RW/s1600/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+2+354+copy+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYUfrnvnGGQugLQXLcbw3AVKaIIVPM3GfVthsenIrthN2xs3-QqXN4t94AWsY9mWm2rxXRs6TEmKOaRbkgtoq0GOPASiRfxFuKara4cf1Ze9ktWr2P293AWKoWKzzkYN5CZK5VHY8fY0RW/s640/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+2+354+copy+(Large).jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This little guy took a break from eating the Buffaloberries so he could pose for the camera.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLmtyOlijYXRWDsSqV6bY6sDxpxaP07AbJC-1LlxvtiPlWjurPzyRhrZMbU7sbqph1DmBYM9IAkGwuI9Mt1weeVZD9IFvIgN1KXls1Q6fstR5ynZqCY6Dcry7YZKSuRfmf8T5xjnr8fID/s1600/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+2+364+copy+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLmtyOlijYXRWDsSqV6bY6sDxpxaP07AbJC-1LlxvtiPlWjurPzyRhrZMbU7sbqph1DmBYM9IAkGwuI9Mt1weeVZD9IFvIgN1KXls1Q6fstR5ynZqCY6Dcry7YZKSuRfmf8T5xjnr8fID/s640/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+2+364+copy+(Large).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hope you're not tired of bear pictures yet!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoR1UklFTTkf6UAhMAbhnJ_HAS2LJYYaf6DTAhICydZHqKVgQMnYZ_RxibmHJVkUF8A7VwzDCVniqF4BAtj4PyjhXiMM7TsyyeAVZJhA8IX1RuNX3ghF_w99jd-5R8EBxKZL6RddDbIMpD/s1600/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+2+371+copy+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoR1UklFTTkf6UAhMAbhnJ_HAS2LJYYaf6DTAhICydZHqKVgQMnYZ_RxibmHJVkUF8A7VwzDCVniqF4BAtj4PyjhXiMM7TsyyeAVZJhA8IX1RuNX3ghF_w99jd-5R8EBxKZL6RddDbIMpD/s640/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+2+371+copy+(Large).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bear with me for just a moment!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7SWkWkVgIGshe1O6RYp1hUDJz9GJ0NjHQAzbtCGHhk44gl75-ByvhDKDPjbWLK08LgEdGy7xt7zgz3B-gfwHGN71CoAOM-YIHMs2Me1Y6_xQ7S_9gyMXtULNsaZD0z0G2E-Vt6AzCsHoS/s1600/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+2+374+copy+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7SWkWkVgIGshe1O6RYp1hUDJz9GJ0NjHQAzbtCGHhk44gl75-ByvhDKDPjbWLK08LgEdGy7xt7zgz3B-gfwHGN71CoAOM-YIHMs2Me1Y6_xQ7S_9gyMXtULNsaZD0z0G2E-Vt6AzCsHoS/s640/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+2+374+copy+(Large).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think it might be best if I back away and give this bear some privacy. I don't think he likes me all that much.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMTvuVZXDU6b-KMRg-HEd8g9M93J3otmCyTEtuVTFXMnZb1i95889IHDXKkzEeGDrBvu8bEY51SDPrbcHaib-wCCEFB0qL4UNkatJ5qx2nckQcgEb5Ap4HFRqqdAu1cf4bhs-7bwwg6q0/s1600/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+2+493+(Large).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMTvuVZXDU6b-KMRg-HEd8g9M93J3otmCyTEtuVTFXMnZb1i95889IHDXKkzEeGDrBvu8bEY51SDPrbcHaib-wCCEFB0qL4UNkatJ5qx2nckQcgEb5Ap4HFRqqdAu1cf4bhs-7bwwg6q0/s640/2013+Aug+26+Canadian+Rockies+2+493+(Large).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Look at the size of those tires!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The two pictures above are Pikas. They like the rocky high elevations and these two were quite busy scurrying back and forth gathering food for the long winter. These little critters are really cute and make the neatest "peek" sound.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another shot of our friend the Ground Squirrel.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You gotta' admit, this is cute!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Don't really know what to say about the pictures above other than, here's some Moose pics.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When we rented the motorhome they said they would include two kids for a small fee and we thought yeah, why not. They were great kids but always had that stupid smile on their face and didn't want to leave the camper</span>.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just a close up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You guys watch the fella with the camera while I eat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These are our new friends from Germany. We met them on a hiking trail in the rain and then had dinner with them at a Liquor Store in the tiny hamlet of Field. We then met them once again at a roadside pull off in Kootenay National Park in British Columbia. They are really nice folks and we so enjoyed our time with them.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> This is a map of the Canadian Rockies. Our approximate route is shown by the blue dots. This is rather crude and I will be working on larger segment maps to show the route better as well as where we camped each night.</span></div>
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PaWingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04319593598322983193noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129320946148714431.post-70532971975203719872013-05-26T09:53:00.000-04:002013-05-26T09:55:59.835-04:00Vibrant Colors in the Wild<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Recently we were sitting for hours watching an Eagles nest but got little cooperation from the Eagles. There was one Eaglet in the nest and one mature keeping an eye on us but after a couple hours it seemed apparent that we wouldn't be getting any good pictures this day. Sitting along the beautiful stream was quite relaxing so the fact that the Eagles weren't in the mood for picture taking really didn't bother us. Any time in the arms of nature are golden to us. After enough time had passed without any real activity we began to discuss pulling out and heading back to the truck. Moments later we caught a bit of color and movement to our left and watched carefully to see what caused this flash of brilliant color. Sure enough, two Baltimore Orioles were dancing from limb to limb on a nearby Maple tree. As we watched through the 600mm and the binoculars it became more apparent why they were so attracted to this tree. As everyone knows, the seedlings on a maple tree resemble clusters of little helicopter like spinners. Apparently the Baltimore Orioles are quite aware that these little helicopter clusters have loads of tiny green worms that must be quite tasty. Suddenly the Eagles weren't quite so important and the Baltimore Orioles took center stage. One of these photos show this vibrantly colored Oriole stretching for all he was worth and upside down while trying to reach an especially delicious looking worm. By the way, he got it!</span></div>
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<br />PaWingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04319593598322983193noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129320946148714431.post-68821982996662283122013-05-26T09:05:00.002-04:002013-05-26T09:29:33.872-04:00Wonders in Nature<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Nature is simply overflowing with amazing sights and sounds and recently this was once again confirmed. We had the opportunity of photographing a newborn fawn but not just your normal everyday run of the mill brown fawn. Now don't get me wrong. any fawn is a sight to behold but a white fawn is over the top. I might add that that it gets even better because there wasn't just one, there were actually two. We had an awesome evening photographing this wonder of nature. Early in the evening the fawn was very wary of us. We tried to give it enough space so as to not feel threatened but as the night went on it seemed to realize that we weren't going to do it any harm and it was quite calm and allowed us to capture many memorable images.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was so amazing for us because this would be the second pair of albino fawns that we have photographed within three years. I might point out that albino fawns are quite rare but if a mother gives birth to a pair of fawns and one is white it's almost a sure thing that both will be Albino. While these two had the pink ears, nose and hooves they did not have the pink eyes. Their eyes were blue which is common for a fawn. The eyes will darken as they age. Also take note in some of the pictures that the spots are still evident although not as obvious as on a normal fawn.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our evening with the Albino fawns was a night we won't soon forget.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7BasHU-MPoqshyphenhyphenjb_9BM2PAJDItgDKippnx7jsl4cctXE_qTj6UZBpHwroUWSqL5IJICoq8wFe34HreyiBsc4DBZTeUWXbQ5NhmbJfGc_I9Bzc0LehR1ncgJ-m6QgMmbf-vttkYLJikZ/s1600/2013+May+20+Albino+Fawn+032+copy+%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7BasHU-MPoqshyphenhyphenjb_9BM2PAJDItgDKippnx7jsl4cctXE_qTj6UZBpHwroUWSqL5IJICoq8wFe34HreyiBsc4DBZTeUWXbQ5NhmbJfGc_I9Bzc0LehR1ncgJ-m6QgMmbf-vttkYLJikZ/s640/2013+May+20+Albino+Fawn+032+copy+%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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PaWingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04319593598322983193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129320946148714431.post-86661833098902541092013-02-15T22:56:00.002-05:002013-02-15T22:56:13.879-05:00Don't be too quick to call it a day.<span style="font-size: large;">There have been many evenings that we were reluctant to call it a day and hike back to the car. Usually the reasoning was that we witnessed so many awesome things that it was difficult to accept that the day was over. If you never witnessed the eerie sound of a big bull bugling, breaking the silence of a dark night, you probably wouldn't understand. Now picture this in stereo as you stand in near darkness listening to two bulls challenging each other with their loud vocalizations. It's a sound that is very hard to forget and so alluring. The evening this photo was taken we had photographed some awesome rut action and held our position on the outskirts of the herd until the dimming light was making photography pretty much impossible. We began to head out but paused to admire the last light of the day as it dipped below the horizon. As we watched the last beautiful band of color we noticed a large bull off to our left. We stood motionless hoping he would position himself so as to be backlit by this beautiful glowing sunset. It was just the slightest band of glowing light and would only last but a few moments. Our patience paid off and we captured some amazing images. What a perfect end to an incredible day.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8w_NQhNFyCQpCkdbKW_MOJy7g1UuqAoIOIguA7lIgaj9lGirijPUMmlAY3AzOG09xiuKwduAbiZh6RrPWWN49rf_bRNHEuFFcQ-LX95JAURp4yV3NquipshbusoD7nNWp4fh6w0dqOS5r/s1600/IMG_7958+copy+%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8w_NQhNFyCQpCkdbKW_MOJy7g1UuqAoIOIguA7lIgaj9lGirijPUMmlAY3AzOG09xiuKwduAbiZh6RrPWWN49rf_bRNHEuFFcQ-LX95JAURp4yV3NquipshbusoD7nNWp4fh6w0dqOS5r/s640/IMG_7958+copy+%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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PaWingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04319593598322983193noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129320946148714431.post-9351001058655162832013-02-15T21:25:00.000-05:002013-02-15T22:02:38.908-05:00Winter on Winslow<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Winter on Winslow Hill can be hit and miss in regard to seeing elk. While in years past we have seen large herds in the winter but more often than not there are small groups and usually cows and calves. I do recall a couple years ago in February way back in the Saddle area witnessing an incredible stampede with 200 plus elk. I did video that stampede and to this day it still entertains me when I watch it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just a week ago we visited Winslow Hill with high expectations of seeing some of the big remaining bulls that survived the 2012 Elk Hunt. By the way, I use the term (Hunt) loosely and with tongue in cheek. We had to work very hard to see anything at all and when we did they were cows and calves as there were no bulls to be found. As we photographed these cows and calves we were once again reminded that it doesn't have to be a mighty bull to make a good subject. We were also reminded that the lack of beautiful blue sky and gorgeous background shouldn't stop a photographer from pressing the shutter. A stark lackluster background and gray sky can still lend itself to a decent image. Gently falling snowflakes can be that last ingredient needed to capture a nice picture that you almost passed up. Sometimes what is present within the viewfinder is much more desirable than what you viewed with your normal vision.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Possibly next years Christmas Card</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Always keeping a weary eye for danger</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Life moves on in the dead of winter</span></div>
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PaWingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04319593598322983193noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129320946148714431.post-75633789898171325262013-01-13T20:47:00.000-05:002013-02-15T22:05:03.945-05:00Fall Migration 2012<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I would suppose our calendar looks a bit different than the calendar belonging to, well let's use the term, a normal person. While a normal persons calendar would highlight things like St Patricks Day, Halloween, Easter, Christmas and the like, ours would be slightly different and have odd dates and time periods marked. Important times on our calendar would be things like elk sheds, calves drop, new growth, start of the rut and last but not least, duck migration. Other dates might be fawns, velvet shedding and turkey poults. This is only to name a few. Strange maybe, but it's what we do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The duck migration is something that we really look forward to. While the fall migration is very cool, our favorite is the spring migration. During the migration time period there's opportunities to photograph some awesome species of quackers. While most people think going to a movie is entertainment, our source of entertainment involves going from one body of water to another searching for ducks. Each year we set different goals for ourselves and challenge ourselves to get photographs of certain ducks. Our subject this year again would be the Hooded Merganser. Last year we had limited success getting good images so it was our hope that this year would yield better shots.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This year we located a spot that was absolutely loaded with Hoodies. To make it even sweeter there were large numbers of males as well as the females. Typically the male ducks are much more vibrant and colorful than the females. This is especially true with the Hooded Mergansers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We are pleased to say that the fall migration was kind to us and we got some pretty good pics. Yes, we will continue to try for better images but for the most part we were pleased. Not only did we get some cooperation from the Hoodies but we also got some nice pics of other cool ducks such as Ruddy Ducks and Buffleheads. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's just a few shots from our many hours chasing ducks and freezing our butts off.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UxOjUUxB1K0/UPNenTYcpeI/AAAAAAAABDY/h00wO5gmpQc/s1600/IMG_8479+copy+%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UxOjUUxB1K0/UPNenTYcpeI/AAAAAAAABDY/h00wO5gmpQc/s640/IMG_8479+copy+%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These are the elusive Hooded Mergansers. The males have the white crest on the sides of their heads. The females are rather dull in comparison. You will notice that the male on the right is sporting just a small crest while the other male is sporting a more expanded crest. In the pictures below you will see the males with the white crest fully expanded. This is done to impress the females. It is quite impressive when the crest is fully fanned out.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UA5ISv9FooA/UPNepLFf-rI/AAAAAAAABDw/-3P70ETS0lw/s1600/IMG_8814+copy+%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UA5ISv9FooA/UPNepLFf-rI/AAAAAAAABDw/-3P70ETS0lw/s640/IMG_8814+copy+%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="510" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This male has the crest fully fanned out.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tp7uPJ2WZcc/UPNeptGdTRI/AAAAAAAABD8/_EoMj-q2WEk/s1600/IMG_8815+copy+%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tp7uPJ2WZcc/UPNeptGdTRI/AAAAAAAABD8/_EoMj-q2WEk/s640/IMG_8815+copy+%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These images were taken late afternoon just as the sun was bidding another day farewell.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dLBMqh367Ic/UPNemlSkUwI/AAAAAAAABDM/b6tIEaQ8vvY/s1600/IMG_8665+copy+%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dLBMqh367Ic/UPNemlSkUwI/AAAAAAAABDM/b6tIEaQ8vvY/s640/IMG_8665+copy+%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> While not vibrantly colored, these Ruddy Ducks are still quite cool quackers!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PtJg7_UiBlQ/UPNemlhkZpI/AAAAAAAABDI/oSJwlF7F9kU/s1600/IMG_8718+copy+%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PtJg7_UiBlQ/UPNemlhkZpI/AAAAAAAABDI/oSJwlF7F9kU/s640/IMG_8718+copy+%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This Mallard didn't seem to want it's picture taken.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HlvSIk0sJ4c/UPNen1SQQGI/AAAAAAAABDc/Dxc9bcq3Y60/s1600/IMG_8734+copy+%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HlvSIk0sJ4c/UPNen1SQQGI/AAAAAAAABDc/Dxc9bcq3Y60/s640/IMG_8734+copy+%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This might be one of the exceptions to the rule that the male is always a cooler looking duck. We think that the female Bufflehead is more awesome looking that the male, hands down.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TBIb3Gj2DBA/UPNeoW2ctWI/AAAAAAAABDk/rcc-DlU3P4Q/s1600/IMG_8735+copy+%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TBIb3Gj2DBA/UPNeoW2ctWI/AAAAAAAABDk/rcc-DlU3P4Q/s640/IMG_8735+copy+%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="510" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Love the water droplets as well as the way the tail feathers seem to be suspended on the waters surface. The blue sky was reflecting beautifully on the water this day.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pqjx7bAx5YU/UPNepHJYAuI/AAAAAAAABD0/V3Vd6krvnIs/s1600/IMG_8808+copy+%2528Large%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pqjx7bAx5YU/UPNepHJYAuI/AAAAAAAABD0/V3Vd6krvnIs/s640/IMG_8808+copy+%2528Large%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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PaWingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04319593598322983193noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129320946148714431.post-67023668161116827412013-01-12T09:29:00.004-05:002013-01-12T09:44:24.069-05:00Photography For All Seasons<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Don't put that camera away just because it's cold out! I felt this statement just needed to be made because so many folks only take their camera for a walk when the weather is fair or when the leaves are colorful. I've heard it said many times that winter is like watching a black and white movie. There's tons of reasons and excuses for keeping the camera cooped up when the weather turns fowl. One of the reasons might simply be that people don't like going out in the cold or that they think the camera can't be exposed to the cold or as I said at the start that there is no color during winter. Well, all of these statements would be wrong! Dress for the conditions and get out there and enjoy every season, and yes that also means winter. The camera equipment can take the cold so that shouldn't be an excuse. While I won't go into it here, there are a few precautions you can take to make the temperature changes tolerable for your camera. So let's not make that an excuse! In regard to winter being blah and having no color, that couldn't be further from the truth. Here's a few pictures that were taken over the last couple weeks and I believe you will see there's definitely some color. Now get outside and enjoy!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iaKDo7sIvv0/UPFtm9wICsI/AAAAAAAABCc/mZypbNoK2M4/s1600/IMG_9063+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iaKDo7sIvv0/UPFtm9wICsI/AAAAAAAABCc/mZypbNoK2M4/s640/IMG_9063+copy.jpg" width="510" /></a></div>
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Okay, so I couldn't resist a bit of Photoshopping on this image!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Did you happen to notice any color in these pictures?</span></div>
PaWingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04319593598322983193noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129320946148714431.post-84689776408921110162012-11-15T19:36:00.003-05:002014-01-15T18:36:05.567-05:00The Art of Nature<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Typically when I make an entry into my Blog there is a story connected to it and along with images I bore the visitors with paragraph after paragraph of my ramblings. This entry will break that trend but don't get too excited because it won't be a pattern that I'll be adhering to very long. In fact it may just be for this entry. The images below were all taken during a recent camping trip. There's no order, no theme and best of all no boring story, just pictures. Enjoy!</span></div>
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PaWingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04319593598322983193noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129320946148714431.post-8719451827890983612012-11-15T19:02:00.000-05:002013-02-15T22:17:49.326-05:00What could be cooler than an Otter in the water!Many of my Blog entries seem to focus on the beauty that exists around the place that we call home. We are truly blessed in that we can pull out of our driveway and within 15 or 20 minutes be engulfed in nature. One of our special spots is the Clarion River which happens to be a hotbed of beauty and activity. While many people share our passion for this waterway there are many others that just see it from the window of their car as they speed by. The Clarion River has it all! For some it's the joy of casting a dry fly on a deep pool or dragging a lure down through a section of fast water. For others it's paddling a canoe or kayak along the numerous stretches of pure natural beauty. There are many that think there is no better way to spend a warm sunny day than floating down the Clarion on a tube and watching their cares and worries drift away. Ahh yes, the Clarion River is heaven on earth.<br />
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For a wildlife photographer the Clarion River offers a multitude of subjects. Aside from the beauty of the river itself as it winds down through the valley there are critters galore. It is rare for us to drive along the Clarion or paddle downriver without seeing Bald Eagles. Their population seems to be growing nicely along this river which suggests a good source of food like trout and bass. Ducks are a common sight along the river with Mergansers, Mallards and Wood Ducks being quite common. Aside from birds there are turtles, muskrats, beavers and the list goes on and on.<br />
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Just recently we got word from a friend that some River Otters were spotted on the river. When we heard that we were on a mission to find these awesome mammals. A couple days after hearing this we headed to the river early in the morning determined to find these playful critters. After walking along the river for nearly two hours we spotted one Otter working his way along the bank. As we followed we realized there were now 4 Otters. These Otters were in constant motion as they worked their way upriver and they seemed to be making it a point to keep a safe distance for us. Photographing Otters provides a formidable challenge as they are constantly diving or porpoising in search of a tasty fish. While we did manage to shoot over 50 pics the distance and the haze coming off the water made for some mediocre images but nonetheless we did get some pictures that we will cherish. Without the 600mm I don't believe we would have gotten anything worth saving. The best opportunity of a closeup was when I took a tumble jumping from boulder to boulder and ended up slamming my body against the ground. As I laid there one of the Otters left the water and scrambled right past me only a few feet away. He decided to run across the rocks instead of fighting the strong current to get up with his buddies. My wife thought this was really funny. Had she been holding one of the cameras she may have captured a hilarious picture.<br />
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So what is so cool about an Otter you may be asking. Well for one thing it is very rare to see them along the Clarion. It's not that they are really that rare but it's very unusual to see them. The fact that we got to see and photograph 4 of them was awesome. They are an extremely playful critter and we got to witness a couple of them wrestling on a rock. They are very good fisherman and we got to see them grab fish after fish. They are much larger than you might imagine. They length ranges from 26-42 inches and a male may weigh over 30 pounds. The powerful tail which propels them though the water can be 20 inches in length. They have a stocky elongated body with short stout legs and webbed feet. They get along well in the water and on land. They can hold their breath underwater for over 5 minutes while some claim 9 minutes. I won't dispute either claim. <br />
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Our morning with the Otters was a time we will treasure for years to come. We spent the next two days trying to locate them and came up empty but that sure doesn't mean we are giving up that easy. We are on a mission to get better pics and maybe some video to share with all of you.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> That's two Otters on a rock. One just caught a fish.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You don't see this just everyday. We were pumped!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Two Otters wrestling on the rock while the other watches.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwWqLBFsiPjZvmLSBxGhzy-YDlcDm7g9uW2JebYMzTzIzL9sfE1Z135W3skoFkzMmfctOARDKcA2jjqklqTIyczXOGMd-_0Zjf5hhllRyKR6vuOCuSxx90A9LvKZib5uf6vpvfN7wfwlSO/s1600/IMG_0145+copy+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwWqLBFsiPjZvmLSBxGhzy-YDlcDm7g9uW2JebYMzTzIzL9sfE1Z135W3skoFkzMmfctOARDKcA2jjqklqTIyczXOGMd-_0Zjf5hhllRyKR6vuOCuSxx90A9LvKZib5uf6vpvfN7wfwlSO/s640/IMG_0145+copy+(Large).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wonder what they are looking at.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Count them, one, two, three and four.</span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">I See You!</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The last two photos were just taken recently (Jan 2013) and added to this entry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The photos below were taken the last week of January 2013. I believe these pictures should help to explain why we say these mustelids are very social and so entertaining to observe and photograph.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD60T4pcFlSux6Gb4kkeHPYbxumid6q52bomwWnBktv4SqQXymOEi72KZ-4e0pXyxfqqmGXZDU4IofY5T4Q8fXCGN26XeEJDfL2Qwhp_ftToMnLBgO6r4y7nf_cWOWYr1vKli4-3N4Nylm/s1600/2013+Jan+26+Otters+and+Turkeys+020+copy+%2528Large%2529+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD60T4pcFlSux6Gb4kkeHPYbxumid6q52bomwWnBktv4SqQXymOEi72KZ-4e0pXyxfqqmGXZDU4IofY5T4Q8fXCGN26XeEJDfL2Qwhp_ftToMnLBgO6r4y7nf_cWOWYr1vKli4-3N4Nylm/s640/2013+Jan+26+Otters+and+Turkeys+020+copy+%2528Large%2529+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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PaWingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04319593598322983193noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129320946148714431.post-38737626800926625742012-10-11T21:25:00.000-04:002012-11-15T17:38:24.272-05:00Close Encounters VideosThe morning light had just gotten bright enough to make out the silhouettes of a small herd of elk grazing below me. Between the low light and the heavy fog it was difficult to see the size of the herd and although I suspected there was a bull present I had not yet caught sight of him. Within a few minutes that all changed as the sun raced upward welcoming a new day. Not only did it illuminate the fog and give it a rosy pastel glow it also provided the necessary light to confirm that a large bull was working his way toward me and closing in fast. I knew the light was apt to change quickly so I shot frame after frame as I jockeyed for position in hopes of using the morning glow to my benefit.<br />
This particular bull was named Fish Hook and I'm not so sure he was all that happy to be the subject of my attention. At times his bugling sounded more like a war cry than a love call and I couldn't help but think it was me that he wanted to declare war on.<br />
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For the next hour I stayed ahead of this bull and also photographed him and a couple other smaller bulls in hopes of witnessing a fight but other than a bit of chasing there was no contact. I watched 3 bulls and maybe 25 cows for perhaps a half hour but I could see that things were winding down and I needed to get another game plan.<br />
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As I stood there deciding my next move I was hearing a fair amount of bugling further down and into the trees. I decided that's where I needed to be. With all my heavy gear I scrambled across the meadow and down into the wooded valley. I no more than got down in there and became instantly aware that this was the place to be although maybe not the smart place to be. The first thing I observed was a large bull literally shredding a small sapling as he scraped his antlers. I quickly set up my camera on the tripod, switched to video and began filming. I was so intent on filming that I hadn't realized that withing these few minutes I had become surrounded by several bulls and even more cows. The woods was alive with activity and I had no place to hide so I did the only sensible thing and that was to film. These videos will hopefully give you an idea of the intensity of the action. Crank those speakers for the full effect.<br />
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Here are a some links to the Videos I uploaded to You Tube<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAf81NDAXbQ&feature=channel&list=UL">Early Morning Excitement</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31TcuenzoNU&feature=youtu.be">Big Bull Scraping a Sapling</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vy6JdS2OE4M&feature=channel&list=UL">Shredding the Hemlock in the Pre-Rut</a><br />
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PaWingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04319593598322983193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129320946148714431.post-76946919051428385692012-10-07T16:11:00.000-04:002012-10-07T16:18:56.483-04:00My 2102 elk rut is now complete<br />
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Life can be full of surprises. As of late August through mid September I had concerns whether the 2012 elk rut would develop into anything worth remembering. The bulls seem to be gathered together but we had been watching them a pretty significant distance from Winslow Hill. We had been photographing some bulls that could be a dominating force but had doubts if they would make the trek to the Winslow Hill area. In regard to cows, we hadn't been observing many large groups but that didn't have us as concerned as the lack of bulls. The 2102 rut was just around the corner but would it be like previous years? </div>
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As we reached mid September things began to look encouraging. We were observing more activity back in and natures alarm clock appeared to have sounded. While it still seemed like it may not be a banner rut we were beginning to feel the excitement building. The elk rut is an event that we and several photographer friends look to with tremendous enthusiasm. There really is nothing that quite compares to the sights and sounds of the elk rut. It's a time that we welcome in the new day at sunrise and we stay with the herd until the last light of day dips below the horizon. It's also a time to renew friendships with people that share the same passion. We have met so many friends as a result of the rut and the fellowship is heartwarming. We meet in odd places back with the herd and chat as we watch nature unfold before our eyes all the while glancing through the viewfinders in hopes of capturing that perfect pose. Being part of this happening is a blessing.</div>
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Each year we capture literally thousands of images during the rut. Some are deleted within moments of being taken. Others make the initial cut and get to live on the storage cards for the trip home. For many their stay with us is very short as we sort through them on the monitor. This one is too blurred, this one is underexposed, this one overexposed, poor composition on this one and just don't like that one. After going through this process of elimination the numbers are drastically reduced but then the process is repeated once again. Only the best make the cut!</div>
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Every elk enthusiast has a certain image that they strive for. Some are after the perfectly symmetric rack while others are looking for a super sharp image with a beautiful background. Everyone has their shots that they are looking for. In our case we love all of these but each year we have hopes of witnessing a battle between two giant bulls. From our conversations with other we aren't alone on this. While we had a fantastic time photographing the 2012 rut it was apparent it was winding down and while we had witnessed several fights we hadn't gotten any good images for one reason or another. We had pretty much accepted the fact that 2012 would go by without such an opportunity but in an instant our wishes unfolded right before our eyes. As we watched Fish Hook, another bull moved in on his harem. Fish Hook turned quickly and reared up on his hind legs and literally launched toward the competing bull. Moment before, the only sound was that of bugling, cows chirping and the rustling of leaves from a gentle breeze. Now the air was filled with the sound of clashing antlers and the grunting of these giant bulls as they tore into each other. The power of these bulls is something that can't be described but needs to be witnessed to understand. After a few short moments the battle was over and Fish Hook held is head high as he overlooked his harem. Life is definitely full of surprises as we captured the images that we had pretty much decided would not happen this year.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>We are pleased to say that the 2012 elk rut not only met our expectations but instead far exceeded our expectations.</strong></span></div>
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This is maybe a third of the cows that are part of his harem. We liked this shot because of the two cows smooching.</div>
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PaWingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04319593598322983193noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129320946148714431.post-75917637551250059592012-10-07T12:06:00.000-04:002012-10-11T20:34:10.370-04:00All days are good but some days are great!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Something came over me on Thursday morning as I headed to work. Perhaps it was the comfortable temperatures or the smell of autumn in the air. Quite possibly it was something even more powerful than these things. Without me even knowing it I believe I succumbed to the sounds of a distant bugle making it's way to my ear drum and right into my brain. It even took me by surprise because as I drove something clicked and I had this instant thought that I would be with the elk herd at mornings first light and then go into work a bit late. As I drove a bit further it's my belief that some giant bull bugled once again from some high ridge and my subconscious told me to take Friday off and make memories that will not fade for years to come.</div>
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I did follow the sound of the bugle, heeded it's advice and found myself among the herd on a beautiful early morning. As the title of this post says, "all days are good but some are great", this was the case on this day. Had I not seen any elk at all I could have easily said the day was a crown jewel. The sunrise illuminated the low lying fog up on the mountain as if you were walking through a field of Cotton Candy. Bugling surrounded me and the autumn smells made you feel the need to pinch yourself to see if you were alive or did you perish during the night and passed through the pearly gates. I've always heard that heaven will be a place of peace and tremendous beauty. Perhaps this is it! I pinch myself and say to myself, OUCH, that hurt stupid! So I apparently didn't perish through the night and I'm making my way back into the saddle. It's not heaven but it's running a close second.</div>
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Mother Nature woke up early in the morning and dipped her brush into this beautiful pastel color and with one skillful stroke painted the morning fog just for me. Her artistry is unmatched. </div>
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Even as the rose colored fog faded away one could still detect a slight tint on this side shot of Fish Hook. He looked just a tad grumpy as he eyed me up in this image.</div>
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PaWingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04319593598322983193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129320946148714431.post-37253901653132781642012-07-29T11:59:00.003-04:002012-07-29T12:30:41.842-04:00Wandering in the Pa Wilds<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">As we wander the Pennsylvania Wilds it is so apparent that beauty is pretty much all around us. If you view it's beauty from the comfort of your car there's miles and miles of roads that provide snapshots of the wonders that lie just beyond the berms. If you venture down the vast network of trails your efforts will be rewarded more than you would ever dream. One thing I have learned over the years is that if we felt the need to capture images of every landscape that caught our fancy we would be overwhelmed with external hard drives and other digital storage. While it's true that there are many times that we simply can't pass up snapping multiple images of a scene that unfolds in front of us we devote most of our attention to the creatures that live in our forests.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's mid July and the local elk herd are scattered and difficult to find. The bulls are often gathered in small groups but for the most part far from the cows. The big bulls spend their time eating, and eating more, and eating more again. At this point they are hanging with their bull buddies. Yup, it's just like their best of friends as they feed, often shoulder to shoulder. They eat together, they rest in the shade together and they sleep together. After all they are best buds! This will all change with the start of the rut when they will battle sometimes to the fatal end as they fight for the ladies. At that point the scene will take on a completely different look.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So here we are, July is almost in the history books. What is it about mid summer that makes the local critters different than any other time of the year. Well for one thing the bulls and buck are in velvet and their antlers look amazing at this time. The velvet is fully intact and the tips are rounded and although still growing they are still amazing. Their coats are absolutely flawless at this time of the year. Anyone that has seen an elk when they are transitioning from their cold weather coat to their warm weather coat can attest to the fact that they can look pretty rough. At this point the colors are rich and the texture so smooth. Same goes for the deer and the elk. Mid summer also means that you will be seeing spotted fawns and calves. There just is nothing cuter than a spotted young one running around playing in the fields. They often literally bounce as they chase around playing but always keeping an eye out for their mother so if they need a quick refreshment she is nearby.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here is just a brief view of some mid summer elk and deer. We are already picking out some main contenders for the fall rut. While we don't want to wish our summer away we can't wait for the fall rut of 2012.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"> </span><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">How's this for a nice 9 x 9</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"> <span style="color: #990000;">Just best of buddies at this point!</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvAKmGFlcJ4E6QpK9Pt-y6kyVC2ooMBExD0SWzmIUieJvtveWkvJj4Oo4Mn3RBwpxPdMcD9Kcg_0iDmUErfRVCaS1X2ztNH4BhWRQ165-WgdqpfsGhek_CF6EAAYl8fIoNL02OcoK35O3/s1600/IMG_5228+copy+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvAKmGFlcJ4E6QpK9Pt-y6kyVC2ooMBExD0SWzmIUieJvtveWkvJj4Oo4Mn3RBwpxPdMcD9Kcg_0iDmUErfRVCaS1X2ztNH4BhWRQ165-WgdqpfsGhek_CF6EAAYl8fIoNL02OcoK35O3/s640/IMG_5228+copy+(Large).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;"> I would pay big dollars for a fly swatter!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrb0UNp5dvIasrNCrJKM2EZuRJTWxr_plXJGrWspUFPIjVgGP6C26usAn7kPnIST8lzaJ1JdOFK30bQ0EmM60-3gm2O05ZPeydMn31IMR-xKV4otDt3FzFNl4g9iU6-1wasdWituIVrQP/s1600/IMG_5445+copy+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrb0UNp5dvIasrNCrJKM2EZuRJTWxr_plXJGrWspUFPIjVgGP6C26usAn7kPnIST8lzaJ1JdOFK30bQ0EmM60-3gm2O05ZPeydMn31IMR-xKV4otDt3FzFNl4g9iU6-1wasdWituIVrQP/s640/IMG_5445+copy+(Large).jpg" width="510" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"> <span style="color: #990000;">Okay, You gotta admit, I'm really cute!</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Fu3j1ibByMNhAN2snMhn_7id0kmAd-pYA0TMiaoPmmy44FilSlUdjZ-9st6ricL0j5uE5rz8iEBWqQTlL_TyQ0WkAa878w8ue4GTnC9t0WTn4S3nk1Vq2g3t-RWWdAaDuxhOtBb1JObi/s1600/PF0C4342+copy+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Fu3j1ibByMNhAN2snMhn_7id0kmAd-pYA0TMiaoPmmy44FilSlUdjZ-9st6ricL0j5uE5rz8iEBWqQTlL_TyQ0WkAa878w8ue4GTnC9t0WTn4S3nk1Vq2g3t-RWWdAaDuxhOtBb1JObi/s640/PF0C4342+copy+(Large).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">I know what you're thinking, I'm just a young buck but someday I'll also be a force to reckon with.</span></div>
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<br />PaWingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04319593598322983193noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129320946148714431.post-65897219036616447382012-07-21T11:35:00.002-04:002012-07-21T13:12:38.734-04:00Mid July Bulls in Elk County<div style="text-align: justify;">
"You are so lucky to live so close"....... These are words that we have muttered dozens of times for various reasons. I recall muttering these words as we biked a beautiful trail. We have muttered these words as we kayaked a beautiful stretch of desolate backwoods water. We have also said it as we sat with fellow photographers overlooking a family of nesting Bald Eagles on a mountain side. Now don't get me wrong I'm certain many people have muttered these same words to us because of the beautiful area we live in. Early this morning I was set up next to a small field watching as the fog lifted exposing a small group of bulls feeding on some tasty grass. I thought to myself, "I sure am lucky to live so close". This morning was once again an "in your face" reminder of the beauty that surrounds our home in Elk County.</div>
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Every time of the year holds it's own charm and excitement for a devout elk fanatic. Mid July does provide a bit of a challenge when photographing elk. The hot afternoons aren't times that you are apt to find groups of elk gathered in fields. While it's true you may find a straggler here and there crossing a road or grazing in a field but these will be rare sightings. Now if you care to crawl out of bed before the big light introduces a new day you could be in for a treat. Same goes for the evening as you are most likely to see groups out in the fields grazing just before dark. This also means you will be shooting in low light so a fast lens and tripod are essential.</div>
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Mid July also means that you'll most likely find large bulls grazing together but separate from the groups of cows and calves. These large bulls seem to be best of buddies in mid summer. Mid July also means the bulls are reaching the peak of their antler growth. At this point the velvet is thick and plush and fully intact and the tines are still somewhat rounded. Mid July is a wildlife photographers dream because of the beauty of the antlers and at this time of the year the coats are absolutely beautiful. </div>
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Friday evening we photographed 4 nice bulls in a nearby field. One of the bulls was particularly interesting to us. Earlier in the spring we had photographed a bull only a couple miles from here. This particular bull had a very unusual new antler growth and we had hoped to track his growth throughout the year but we could never locate him after that evening. After spotting this bull Friday evening we are convinced this was him. He still has a rather unusual rack but it ended up much better than we had expected.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ms-6nl1mdSIhTY7S7joSf7QX1yRlS7yk-vOJOxc087cfgXuYBbfGiDw6B-sc666e5TtyGBbR05IQN337AG_2pvB_3k_gx8SLswFbzyvPnN9yZ6NyAM9dNvZPQxpN_I8NDuJOsWAe6CpY/s1600/2012-02-05+2012+April+5+Elk+009+copy+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ms-6nl1mdSIhTY7S7joSf7QX1yRlS7yk-vOJOxc087cfgXuYBbfGiDw6B-sc666e5TtyGBbR05IQN337AG_2pvB_3k_gx8SLswFbzyvPnN9yZ6NyAM9dNvZPQxpN_I8NDuJOsWAe6CpY/s640/2012-02-05+2012+April+5+Elk+009+copy+(Large).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is how he looked in April</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here he is in July</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Definitely a strange looking rack</span></div>
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Saturday morning I was up before light and headed out for some early morning shots. I first checked out the field where we had shot some bulls the night before and sure enough there were some beautiful bulls grazing. I shot many frames of these elk and then moved on. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Captured minutes before total darkness</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Curly sure has a beautiful rack</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs3zScARRKXbCZvvEs6XalkunzXN2xilgatG5vPlzJLyXWuEdLQ_JvFLFNqyD0l0QP5_IhMyKld5Wee_0AvS-R7mnb_7Pn0r0FlDCZ21yLnWDLhybNKTallLKBNIeyJddARaaQta9I2ntJ/s1600/IMG_5360+copy+(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs3zScARRKXbCZvvEs6XalkunzXN2xilgatG5vPlzJLyXWuEdLQ_JvFLFNqyD0l0QP5_IhMyKld5Wee_0AvS-R7mnb_7Pn0r0FlDCZ21yLnWDLhybNKTallLKBNIeyJddARaaQta9I2ntJ/s640/IMG_5360+copy+(Large).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He's really enjoying breakfast</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERTwhkazyhkcI3lXTeyIeZP1UX6J4ZzF6NRkzxiSzTh5VS0869qd6pdfKZIdVkjjdh2c8i2d98bmy5DRPPI0z18xHyiLzhHMgxPzwbsW0K3hl0_FoVp6AoOkOqXzfS-GdGM4yYEdIR1BH/s1600/IMG_5096+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERTwhkazyhkcI3lXTeyIeZP1UX6J4ZzF6NRkzxiSzTh5VS0869qd6pdfKZIdVkjjdh2c8i2d98bmy5DRPPI0z18xHyiLzhHMgxPzwbsW0K3hl0_FoVp6AoOkOqXzfS-GdGM4yYEdIR1BH/s640/IMG_5096+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-size: x-large;">Now that's a bunch of Bull!!!</span><br />
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My next stop was on Dewey Road. As I conversed with a few folks from Juniata we watched a group of elk out in front of us. There were 2 or 3 calves in this group of cows. As we glassed the next hill over we we saw maybe 50 more cows and a handful of calves. What I found especially interesting is how vocal these elk were this morning. I honestly have never heard so much barking, yelping and bugling outside of the rut season. I was zoomed in on a cow when she let loose with a bugle that would rival a large bull except for the deep belly grunting at the end. What an amazing morning! We are so lucky to live so close to this magical place!</div>PaWingershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04319593598322983193noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129320946148714431.post-72041147395209107972012-06-11T21:40:00.000-04:002012-06-11T21:43:25.770-04:00Countdown To The Empty Nest<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">After watching these young Eagles for the last couple months we feel that the countdown is drawing near for the empty nest. Typically it will be three months from hatching until the young Eagles step to the edge of their treetop home and leap into the air to begin their own life in the wilderness. We have spent countless hours watching these young predators and have witnessed the various stages. At this stage they definitely show all the characteristics of being an Eagle. Their talons are yellow and already have sizable claws, perfect for grasping a tasty meal. Their beaks are pointed and capable of tearing apart the food that the mature Eagles bring them. A couple weeks ago their wings were wide but the feathers were not fully developed and filled in. That has changed significantly on our last visit. At this point they are branching which means they will try out their wings to hop up onto a branch growing within the confines of the nest. As we watched from a safe distance we witnessed them spreading and flapping their wings as if to do a dry run without actually taking flight. It's like they already are well aware of what these wings are capable of. Yes, the time is drawing near!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As we watched them on our recent visit we thought about their life since they poked their heads out of that thin egg shell. Imagine opening your eyes and realizing the ground is 75 feet below you. And what if you happen to be an Eagle that doesn't like the taste of fish. That Eagle would be in a pickle and best acquire a taste for seafood real quick. Imagine spending the first couple months in a crib with your baby brother or sister and occasionally Mom and Dad. Imagine sleeping there, eating there and it's also your bathroom. You will be there as Mother Nature shakes that treetop with strong wind gusts and pelts down heavy rain and hail and perhaps even snow and sleet. There will be no protection as the valley rumbles with thunder and lightning lights up the sky. Perhaps this explains how Eagles end up being such a strong and majestic bird of prey.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We made another observation on our last visit. It seemed apparent that these two young Eagles are beginning to wear on each others nerves. Chances are this will be the last time we see these Eagles before they take that first flight and fend for themselves. To witness that event would be awesome but will probably only be witnessed in our imagination for now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Time to do the wing exercises!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm really getting tired of seeing you day in and day out, now get out of my face!</span></div>
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