Author: John Pictrona

These are some shots I’ve taken over the past couple of months of various wildlife along the Crow River in Wright County Minnesota.

This swan had a previous entry. Big wingspan!

Golden Eagle perched on a stump on the river.

This red fox was on a mission to get somewhere.

A herd of deer got spooked by a dog and once one starts bounding, they all do!

Great Blue Heron

Mature male Bald Eagle perched in a tree nearby.

A pair of wood ducks has been sticking around. They’ll nest soon. So many wood ducks this spring!

This is a group of male wood ducks chasing and biting each other, fighting over females.

This video was from July 2009 on a whale watching trip near Juneau Alaska. We saw many whale pods that day, this one had probably 35 or more whales in it. The whales dive deep down below a school of krill, herring or salmon blowing bubbles in a circular ring. This creates a wall of bubbles that entrap the small fish. Here you see the whales scooping up their meal surprising we who shall attempt video and grab snapshots (I’m preferential to snaps as you will notice) a close up view some of us hadn’t anticipated.

Are you going to let the obstacles in your life be stumbling blocks or stepping stones? Choose the positive. You are the master of your attitude. — Bruce Lee

I counted eight swans yesterday. They pair for life! Swans are revered by by many cultures with much lore. Most consider swans a good omen (I’m one), but I also consider predators a good omen. Predators clean up carrion and pick the bones of anything laying around. They help to keep things alive and moving – e.g. you’ll feel very alive and you will get moving if a grizzly bear or a pack of wolves is interested in you!

I’m considering all these swans as here to deliver a message. Long term, consistent outcomes are available when you commit. Without committment, a solid foundation is difficult or impossible to obtain. With committment, as in the swans case, two become one with all the benefits packaged up.

This barred owl perched on a branch is looking for its next meal.

Owls can turn their heads nearly completely around!

“There is a huge amount of freedom that comes to you when you take nothing personally.”
― Don Miguel Ruiz, The Four Agreements

With so many mice (I call them rats) and other vermin running around, it is bound to draw in predators of all sorts.

In March of 2023, we certainly have a lot of them to contend with.

This is a male great horned owl, I’m pretty sure.

He was sitting on this branch, well aware of my presence.  I guess he realizes I’m not a threat. Shadow the cat however, who follows me when I walk, was of great concern a day after I took this picture. She was in the vicinity of the nest and if I wasn’t there pointing my lens at the owl as it flew towards us it would have dive bombed the cat. As it was both parents of the young owl were making a strange “clucking” noise and showing themselves in an attempt to distract the cat.

 

One of these little foxes was very curious about me walking around the yard.  It stayed completely out of the den until I got within about 50 feet, then it scurried into the culvert for a safer view.

It’s got a racoon face!

Guardians of the Galaxy come to mind?

With all the females and kits, there’s bound to be a male or two around.  This guy was bold enough to show up mid-day to check out my chickens.

 

Blue Jays are one of the elusive shots for me.  There is a pair nesting near the house, so I’ve been seeing them up close!