Previously Near the TCAAP WVA, I was Hanging Out

DSC_3941, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

Here is the spot where I made the photo of the bald eagle I posted the other day. I was sitting on the narrow ridge on the south west side of the gravel pit. There is a great view here into the pit but the light fades fast.

Here is another shot of the eagle. This one is cropped a little bit to better center the bird in the frame. The other eagle shot is now available for purchase at my RedBubble site.

Today Near the TCAAP WVA, I was eye-to-eye with a Bald Eagle

Bald Eagle DSC_2383, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

I was chasing coyotes in the AHATS today and ended up on the south west rim of the gravel pit. It was warm and sunny so I sat for an hour. This eagle came up squawking away. I think I was in its "spot." This might be my best eagle shot so far. Super sharp. Good light. Not cropped. (click on the photo to see a bigger size)

Finally saw a northern shrike with prey. I've been see these birds around a lot this fall but never with any food.

Today Near the TCAAP WVA, I saw a Coyote Napping

Napping with Ducks DSC_2117, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

My friend Jerry's eagle eyes spotted this napping coyote. We were way up high on the rim of the AHATS gravel pit. I have no idea how this dog could get any sleep. There are about a thousand noisy ducks right next to it. We only had a few minutes before the shadows moved over the coyote but I had enough time to quickly pop the Nikon TC1.4eII teleconverter on the 500.

A few minutes later we saw another coyote, or the same one, up close. This one didn't notice us until it was most of the way up the hill.

Today Near the TCAAP WVA, I saw a Coyote Tail

Coyote tail DSC_1951, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

This coyote cresting the hill near the gravel pit in the AHATS. I shot this out the window of the truck. The coyote at the bottom of the gravel pit so I followed it all the way the hill with the camera. It stopped and looked at me a couple times. This hill is in the shade pretty much all day...see the snow despite it being in the 40s yesterday...so I'm not satisfied with the picture quality here.

Merry Christmas from the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area

Merry Christmas from the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area.

(There is no snow at the TCAAP WVA this year so enjoy this deer photo from Feb 2010.)

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a Pileated Woodpecker on Christmas Eve

Pileated Woodpecker DSC_1794, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

I got out early and found some birds near the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area. This pileated woodpecker follow me through the woods for a while. Here are a couple more birds from nearby:

Eagle Butt

Crowded Take Off

Red-tailed Hawk

Previously at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a Red-tailed hawk

In the summer, I often see Osprey on this tree. This hawk didn't stick around much. I waited for the fly off but took my eye from the viewfinder for just a minute to wipe the fog from my glasses and it was gone.

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw Deer

Deer DSC_1744, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

Here some deer I saw in the AHATS today. It was very dark. I made this photo with the monopod at an angle resting on the window sill of my drive while I was seated in the truck. ISO 6400 at 1/8 sec. Not bad for that but not great for a print.

I also saw a great horned owl, a bald eagle and a northern shrike, oh and there were a jillion ducks in the gravel pit.

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I was in the AHATS again

Coyote DSC_1609, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

Today, I was in the Arden Hills Army Training Site (AHATS) from before sunrise until after sunset. I spent the entire time mostly planning how to get photos of the local coyotes.

I saw lots of birds: cedar waxwings, a northern shrike, red-tailed hawk, a nuthatch a great horned owl, a fluffy blue jay, a couple bald eagles, tons of ducks and some Canada Geese. Saw a couple does and a couple bucks.

Finally, around 2pm we hiked out to the rim of the big gravel pit. On the way, I saw a shadow moving quickly through the grass. No shot. I figured that was all we'd see but my friend quickly spotted this guy/gal. I got about 10 shots off. It never stopped running and didn't look at me. Maybe next time.

We saw another one a few minutes later but it was at the bottom of the gravel pit in a dark shadows so no shot.

Here a couple more shots:

Today at the TCAAP WVA, We Counted Birds

Bald Eagle DSC_1070, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

Actually, it was the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count. I joined some St. Paul Audubon Society members to count birds in the Arden Hills Army Training Site. It was great fun. We saw hundreds of birds. By far the most were mallards in the gravel pit but I also saw more than a hundred American Crows. I wasn't the note taker so I don't have our official totals but here is a rundown of what we saw.

Northern Shrike
Great Horned Owls
Red-tailed Hawks
Bald Eagles
Black-capped chickadees
Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers
Pileated Woodpecker
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Goldfinches
American Tree Sparrow
Blue Jay
Canada Geese
Turkeys
some deer and one gigantic bird made of grass.

The light was very flat most of the day and the early morning photography was pretty much worthless. I've linked to some photos above but don't expect any really big high quality prints. ;-)

Previously at the TCAAP WVA, I saw an Osprey with Fish

Osprey with Fish DSC_6430, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

The osprey in the Arden Hills Army Training Site are long gone. They go south well before their is a chance of the lake freezing.

I'm looking forward to their return.

Previously at the TCAAP WVA, I saw some Birding Buddies

Friends at the WVA DSC_7508, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

Here is a view of the bridge at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area. I made this photograph from the west side of Lake Marsden when I was staking out the osprey nest in June 2011.

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a full Moon over Trees

Moon over Trees DSC_3835, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

The full moon greeted me at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing area this morning.

I saw the northern shrike that's been hanging around lately but it was way too dark for a decent shot. Also saw some ducks fly over.

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a Lunar Eclipse

Lunar Eclipse DSC_0618, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

I got up very early today to check out the lunar eclipse. Only a partial eclipse was visible at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area.

This shot is the best of bunch and it isn't very good. I could see distortion through the viewfinder. It looked a lot like heat waves in the summer. I suspect it was because I didn't allow the camera and lens warm up enough but I'm not sure. I used mirror lockup and the timer but maybe the 500mm with the TC1.4 was too much to compensate. By the time I thought of removing the tele-converter the moon went behind the clouds.

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw the Sun behind Trees

Sun behind Trees DSC_0598, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

Saw the sun set behind the trees at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area tonight. That was about it. I heard some birds and saw some ducks in the distance but no other wildlife.

Spoke to a friend who showed up tonight and met a new photog.

Previously at the TCAAP WVA, I saw an Eagle

This is one of the eagles that attacked a mallard in flight at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area last Saturday.  This is not a great shot.  It's got a crap-load of processing and won't make a good large print. 

It's still difficult to get out to the WVA during the work week.

Previously at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a Running Deer

Running DSC_0648, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

I made this shot of a running white-tailed deer at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area back in February 2011.

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a Shrike Scream

Shrike Scream DSC_0431, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

I didn't hear this Shrike scream because they are mostly quiet birds. I'm not sure what was going on with this bird at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area this morning.

We got 3-5 inches of fresh fluffy snow last night. Here is a shot of the bridge with the now golden colored big blue stem.

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw an Eagle chasing a Duck

Eagle and Duck DSC_0111, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

I saw this eagle chasing the mallard this morning at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area. They circled over the lake once then the eagle caught up to the duck. With a swift swipe with its claw, it knocked the duck to the ground. Another eagle joined the first after that. They both circled the spot where the duck fell into the cattails and then flew off. They didn't find the duck.

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Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw the Sunrise

Migration DSC_0060, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

I got up a little earlier than usual today and headed out to the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area. It was about 13F, a bit chipper. The photo on the right is of one of the interpretive signs in the area. This one has information about waterfowl migration. I sure see lots of waterfowl here.

The shot below is not particularly interesting but I really like the colors. This color lasted only a few minutes. Glad I was there to see it.

Previously at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a Bluebird Meal

Bluebird Meal DSC_0682, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

I went for a photowalk at lunch today near work. We had just received about an inch of snow so I figured there might be something out there to shoot. I should've got up early and stopped by the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area because I didn't make a single click during my lunch hour.

Here is a shot I made of the active bluebird nest at the WVA. It's dark and 3600ISO so I could get a high enough shutter speed to freeze the bird. Later, I went back with a homemade snoot on my SB-400 flash. Since then I've upgraded my flash and got a Better Beamer flash extender. I hope these bluebirds pick this nest again next year.

Previously at the TCAAP WVA, I saw the Bridge and Sun

Bridge and Sun DSC_1071, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

Made this shot in May 2011. I spend nearly all daylight hours during the week in an office so this is the best you'll get during the week until spring.

Previously at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a Coyote Hunting

Hunting Coyote DSC_5128, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

Dreary raining crappy day at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area. I didn't bother going out there and stayed home to shoot animals in my back yard.

Here is a shot of a coyote I saw last March. I haven't seen much of the coyotes during the summer. They blend in very well with the grass. Once the snow sticks, they'll be easier to see.

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a Pink Sunrise

Pink Sunrise DSC_3738, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

I was out at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area for sunrise today. The weather forecast called for mostly cloud and it was correct. After about 5 minutes of sunrise, it clouded over for the whole day.

This is a quick snap of the bridge and some of the interpretive signs in the WVA. Not my best quality work. Had I wanted a better photography, I would've hauled out the tripod and stopped down the aperture. I wanted to get the pink colors of the clouds mostly and that worked.

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a Shrike

Shrike DSC_9405 SOOC, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

I got up for sunrise today at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area. Not a whole lot going on there this morning. Saw geese, jays, harrier (no shot) and a red-tailed hawk (also no shot...too slow on the draw).

Here is my favorite of the day. It's a shrike, probably a northern because I've seen one around here lately.



Here a shot a chickadee I like:

Happy Thanksgiving from the TCAAP WVA

Turkey Display DSC_0669, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

Happy Thanksgiving from the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area. I made this photo back in April when the turkey's mind was on mating. Here is a very tight crop of a tom display.

Previously at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area, I saw Snow on the Bridge

Snow and Bridge DSC_9290, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

Here is a shot from yesterday. The golden sunlight peaking through the bridge on this bolt and some snow. I only had the 500 so the depth-of-field is razor sharp. Not sure I like it. Would've been nice to have the ultra-wide for this.

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw an Old Lodge

Old Lodge DSC_9248, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

We got our first measurable snow at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area yesterday.  Looks like about an inch on the bridge.  The lake was mostly frozen but there are a few open spots...not enough for the ducks and geese to land.

I believe this is an old muskrat lodge on Lake Marsden (note the small trees growing out of it. I've never heard of beavers in there but suppose it might be possible. At the base of the lodge is a platform that was place there for nesting common loons.

Here's another landscape from the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area. This is a intersection of gravel roads on the far end of the lake.

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw Mullein

Mullein DSC_8938, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

There was a brief show of pink at sunrise today at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area. Unfortunately, I missed it by about 5 minutes. Didn't see much either: couple a swan and goose flybys. Heard some chickadees and juncos but none landed near.

This shot is of a mullein plant.  Many birds perch on these plants while they are hunting bugs.  I've seen everything from chickadees, downy woodpeckers and various sparrow use these plants.

Previously at the TCAAP WVA, I saw the Sun through the Steam

Sun through the Steam DSC_1811, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

This photos of the black-eye susans in bloom at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing is now entered in the TPT Capture Minnesota photo contest. Please visit my profile and vote for the photos you like. Thanks!

Previously at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a Wild Turkey on Barbed Wire

Wild Turkey Leaving Barbed Wire Enhanced, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

This is the photo that inspired my collection of birds on barbed-wire at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area. I shot it back in March 2010.

I saw this turkey pacing back and forth along the fence when I entered the area. The rest of her buddies were already on the other side of the fence. I spent about 20 minutes slowly creeping up and snapping photos. I've seen turkeys fly over fences and they usually pause on the top of the fence so I was ready. I had decent evening sun to highlight the shiny feather of this bird.

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a Hooded Merganser

Hooded Merganser DSC_8804, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

Not much going on at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area today. I made it out there for a cloudy sunrise and a cloudy sunset. Saw that spike buck again and a red-bellied woodpecker but didn't get any good shots.

This particular shot is a female hooded merganser. It's not a very good photograph but it's an ok snapshot for documentation.

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I heard a Noisey Landing

Noisey Landing DSC_8369, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

32F sunrise at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area today. Lots of action today. This swan family landed noisily, swam around for a few minutes and took off.

Saw the river otter family swim across the lake. It appeared that a couple of the young ones were playing on the shore. Very fun to watch but difficult to get a good shot as they were in the shade.

Here is a video that's kind of jerky because it's very difficult to hold things steady with a 1050mm equivalent focal length on a monopod. I promise to bring the tripod out more often.

Previously at the TCAAP WVA, I saw an Icy Foggy Bridge

Icy Foggy Bridge DSC_0863, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

We had some brief flurries this morning so I figured I'd show a shot from last February. No snow at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area yet but I'm hopeful we'll get some soon.

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw Excavating

Excavating DSC_8081, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

While, I was up in northern Minnesota on vacation for the last 5 days, I missed the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area at little.

It was super windy today. No birds flying. Didn't see anything in the lake either. I watched some excavators moving dirt on the far side of the lake. The National Guard or US Army are building something back there.

Previously at the TCAAP WVA, I saw a Swan

Stopped by the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area tonight for about 30 minutes. Not much going on until I was getting ready to leave. I heard swans honking in the direction of Turtle Lake so I got ready. Three swan flew right over my head.