National Treasures, the Eagle

They are just....MAJESTIC!

Chris and I visited the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, MN on July 11th. They had 3 Eagles at the center: 2 Bald Eagles and 1 Golden Eagle. We attended a demonstration/lecture about the eagles. I must say that I really didn't know...

This is Donald.. He is a Golden Eagle. You can't see it much in this picture, but if you look at the back of his neck there is a goldish color, hence, Golden Eagle.. We got to observe some feeding time... He LOVES mice. It was "cute" to watch him maintaining eye contact with the dish that had 4 dead mice in it.. Every time the instructor moved the container, Donald's eye did not waiver from that dish.. He wanted those mice!

Did you know...

Did you know that LEAD (even a size of a PIN HEAD) will kill a raptor or even a condor? Originally the Eagles were placed on the endangered species list stemmed from pesticides being used. Once those specific kinds of pesticides were banned, the numbers of Eagles grew so they were taken off the endangered species list. Now, we have another problem..LEAD:

• These are found in pellets/shells from when you are deer hunting, etc..


• These are also found in your fishing tackle box.

Even if you don't leave any lead around, by using something with lead in it, you catch a fish, it swallows it, you release the fish back into the water... Later an eagle captures that same fish you just released, it "eats" that fish. That lead eaten by the fish is now inside the eagle. This piece of lead is very toxic. It doesn't matter if the piece of lead is the size of a pin head or the size of a bullet, it is toxic.

I have a special request for you outdoor men/women... please look at your equipment..think of alternatives to use that would still give you the result you need but still protect our National Treasures.

NOTE: Click on the heading to go to the National Eagle Center website for more information.. Thank you.

Freedom Continues

Okay, freedom is not free.. It is a priviledge, it is an honor, lives have been sacrificed for all Americans to be free, to have freedom..

As spectacular the fireworks that light up the sky on every July 4th, it is a reminder how awesome it is to be free, how great America can be. Just like Irling Berlin's song: God Bless America!

Freedom

Freedom is not free...

It took a lot of good men and women for us to have the opportunity to be free...

As we celebrate our independence, remember those that have fought for our freedom.

Happy 4th of July!

I am hoping...

Children do grow older... When they become adults, a parent really hopes that they have done they best that they could to give their children the tools to survive out in the real world.

A child may be afraid of the unknown as they leave their safety zone, but a parent's fear is that they haven't done their job so their children succeed in life.

But when their children have their own, we, as parents, hope that they take what they have learned from us much further so that their children develop the skills to succeed..

Or at least I am hoping...

He's getting to be such a big boy

He is only 20 months old.

Where has the time gone?

Just not so long ago, he was just a wee little baby..

Precious little child full of love..

Welcome!

Congratulations to my cousin, Dana and his fiancee, Lisa. They welcomed this precious little girl beginning of June 2009.

Welcome, Hailey.

Lilacs

Oh the aroma! They smell heavenly and wonderful, but the blooms don't last.

That's too bad..

Wood Duck

We have lived in Winsted since 2000. It has been a dream to attract birds other than barn swallows. It would be totally cool if we find an owl that established on our property! The end of May, Chris
mentioned that we have a Wood Duck nesting under our Colorado Spruce. Unbelievable! She was laying with her eggs. I understand why the female tend to be not as colorful as the male, but this would explain why. She blends in so much in the grass and the needles from the pine tree.

I returned to visit her and perhaps try to capture her in a different light, she was gone! I found the eggs she left behind..

Oh, the horror I felt.. What happened? Did she do this because of me? Or, was it because of the raccoons (or the like) in the area? I sure hopes she returns..

My condolences

My heart goes to my dear friends who lost a father/grandfather last Thursday night. No right words can express the sorrow, except "my condolences" or "my sympathy"? But does that sound so.. formal? Perhaps.

Chantel, Tim, Jon.. please know that even though I may not be there with you up in Minot, ND during this difficult time, I will be there in prayer and thought. I am here for you. All my love...

I am truly sorry...

New Ulm, MN

Last month, I had the opportunity to go to New Ulm, MN just to walk around and take some pictures. As I was walking around and admiring the architecture, I began to feel as if I was truly in a German city. It was amazing to see architectural styles from when the town developed. I would like to go back again... heck it is only an hour drive from Winsted.. maybe sometime this summer. Oh, I have to stop at the Green Mill again.. they have POP-OVERS with honey butter! Delish!

As I continued my journey, I came across to a couple of buildings that would have a door with no stairwell. I thought this was odd. I am sure that there was a perfectly good reason for this..

Funny, strange, don't you think?

I still say that these pictures still show how New Ulm has its unique character with a German flair.

Well, "Auf wiedersehen"... until we meet another day.

Morning Mist, May 2009

Morning Mist on May 28th, 2009 at 4am!!

Darn puppy dog, she needed to go out so early in the morning...

but then maybe she was telling me.. Look Mom, it is pretty out there!!!

Maybe I need to take some time to reflect what I have in life and feel blessed. I know that it has been crazy for the past 10 months or so..

I know that life seems to be speeding by really fast. I wonder if one could make enough money to live on what they love doing to enjoy life while doing it?? Maybe that dream will come true for me one day.

Competition

We had our first digital photo competition at HTC. While it was interesting to hear what the judges had to say as to how it could be made better, but sometimes it is frustrating when you love the picture that you submitted to find it just made "acceptance". How does one get past that feeling? The results are very different between an image for competition and an image for the client or personal use. I know that I still have things to learn, but it is frustrating when you are proud of your image to have it ripped apart....

A New Day

Hello, it is another new day of web for me. With the busy life, trying to find the time to keep up with the ever changing web connection. At times, I wish that I was like, er.. Hermoine.. I could "swish" me to work in 5 minutes (not 1 hour), and extend the evening so I can get my homework done and still have time to relax and enjoy my husband's company. Can't hurt to keep dreaming.

Well, keep checking back.. we will add more pictures and tell the tales of Winsted, MN. Let the adventure begin!