End of Summer, Beginning of Fall

Usually a trickle, now a torrent

Minneopa Fall, Minneopa State Park, Sept. 2005. A few days after 6 - 9 inches of rain fell in the river basin.

Daytime "star"

Morning at Minneopa State Park, Sept 2005

Reflected Sky, Lake Vermilion

Ohhh, Chilly. Fall is in the air. Ice on the grass this morning. Picture taken by my friend Dave O, Lake Vermilion. Don't fall in. Just enjoy.

The Unseen

In spite of the drought we've had since the end of June, the river is higher than it was a week ago. So it was no surprise when we canoed a mile downstream and found a beaver dam about 18" high. We didn't notice any sign of recent activity last evening. But twice we heard the slap of a beaver tail and saw ripples.

We also heard the hoot of an owl, again unseen. Last week we saw a great horned own in a tree in the yard. I've been told that if they are out during the day, they are hungry.

I know that the deer are around at night, unseen by us, because my lily stems have been eaten off almost to the ground. Some of these are within a few inches of the house.

We frequently find scat of unknown animals on the sidewalk.

I heard a snort of a deer in the woods as I walked toward the house in the late afternoon. I saw nothing, even though I could hear it run away.

Last year, we often heard the yips and howls of coyotes when we were getting ready for bed.

I often wonder just what is out there. What might I see if I had night vision goggles? Tonight is a full moon. We might canoe to the beaver dam after midnight.

World Trade Center Tribute

Taken at the World Trade Center Site Oct. 2003. The cross shows hope.

Fall is around the corner/ Geese

I heard a flock of Canada geese fly over today, but I never saw them. I suppose that means that they are thinking about migrating. This is the first year that I have heard or seen geese in our area. Here is one that visited our yard in July.