Fixed the Color

Anoka at Night

We put up some shelves in the laundry room and cleaned out closets today. Guess what? My tripod turned up. So I decided to take advantage of the full moon and experiment with my new toy. I didn't feel like traveling very far, so the river city of Anoka was my subject for the evening.














Below is my favorite. Still in Anoka, just a couple blocks off main on the bank of the Rum River. It's at the Anoka Independent Grain & Feed Dealers.

Eagles and Otters

Ranger Paul's well documented birding adventures got me to thinking it might be something I could try this winter. I certainly don't plan on twitching any time soon. Though I did subscribe to a local bird list (mnbird) and reports of a Long-eared Owl in Crystal sparked my interest. I know, way too geeky already.

This morning Deanna and I discovered we had one of those rare days with no commitments ahead of us. The sun was shining so I suggested we give the new field guide it's first workout. To my surprise, she agreed (as long as we could stay warm in the process). So we loaded the kids in the car and off to the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge we went.

The teenagers were less than enthusiastic. A few minutes into the journey they cracked open the field guide and I think they forgot how nerdy an errand this was. We got there a little late to catch much activity. I think the very recently frozen wetlands had most all the wildlife hunkered down. But near the end of our tour we happened across this scene. There were 2 adult bald eagles, the pictured juvenile, and several otters playing in what little open water was left in front of their den. Well worth the 15 mile drive. Alondra thought it was fun anyway.

Thankfull for the Wii

A Big Boat

photo by Operations Specialist 2nd Class Eric Weber (RELEASED)

Deanna spoke with Eddie this afternoon. Sounds like he'll be assigned to a destroyer in Carrier Strike Group 9 (The Abraham Lincoln Strike Group). The ship in the picture is the USS Crommelin, which according to the mighty Wikipedia is one of the destroyers in CSG 9. Heck, if the Navy is going to trust Eddie to drive that boat, maybe I should have trusted him to drive the pontoon. It seems the Navy is taking it's time figuring out when Eddie needs to report for duty in Everett, WA. If he doesn't have to be there, he's graciously agreed to join us for Thanksgiving Dinner.

One more thing to all Veterans on this day after Veteran's Day, Thanks. Especially you Del.

Death of a Jack-O-Lantern