Welcome to Today at the AHATS Wildlife Observation Area (formerly TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area.) I've been visiting this small park regularly since 2008. This is a log of all the wildlife and nature I experience nearly every day.
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Yesterday Nowhere Near the AHATS WOA, I Saw a Heron and a Pelican on Ice
I visited the Minnesota River Valley National Wildlife Refuge on Saturday. I've detailed my exploits and have a slideshow on my other blog here.
Friday, November 22, 2013
Previously at the AHATS WOA, I Saw a Tree Sparrow
Tree sparrow at the AHATS Wildlife Observation Area.
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Previously at the AHATS WOA, I saw a buck.
It's been a long while since I've been out at the AHATS Wildlife Observation Area. Here is a shot of a buck I saw three years ago.
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Yesterday at the AHATS WOA, I Saw Fall Colors
Saw some nice fall colors at the AHATS Wildlife Observation Area on Saturday.
I also saw a pair of blue jays.
I also saw a pair of blue jays.
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Today at the AHATS WOA, I Saw a Blackhawk
Two blackhawk helicopters flew over the AHATS Wildlife Observation Area this morning. I saw a couple swans, some geese, sparrows and robins. A half a dozen crows were making a commotion in the dead trees but I couldn't get a bead on what was upsetting them. It was probably some sort of raptor.
This big flock of black birds flew over too:
This big flock of black birds flew over too:
Monday, October 7, 2013
Previously near the AHATS Wildlife Observation Area, I Saw Fog
I got up for sunrise on Sunday and saw some fog on my way to the AHATS Wildlife Observation Area. I decided to pull over and get some landscape shots before I got to the WVA. This black and white one is my favorite of that morning.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Today at the AHATS Wildlife Observation Area, I Saw a Woodpecker
I saw a couple woodpeckers like this young one today at the AHATS Wildlife Observation Area. The most interesting thing I saw this morning was three large groups of 20+ blue jays. I also saw a dozen or so goldfinches, 4 crows, 2 trumpeter swans and about eight ring-billed gulls fishing in the lake.
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Today at the AHATS WOA, I Saw a Monarch!
I saw my first monarch of the year at the AHATS Wildlife Observation Area this morning. There are lots of milkweed plants but no caterpillars.
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Today at the AHATS Wildlife Observation Area, I Saw an Osprey
Not many osprey frequent the AHATS Wildlife Observation Area this summer since the nest on Marsden failed. I was fortunate to see this one early this morning. It only paused on this branch for a minute or so.
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Previously at the AHATS WOA, I Saw Curves in Snow
It's over 90F today and very windy. Here's a shot from a while back that brings back good memories. Only a few short months and hopefully we'll have a lot of snow.
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Today at the AHATS WOA, I Saw a Pair of Swans
I saw a pair of trumpeter swans at the AHATS Wildlife Observation Area this morning. I also saw a loon, a pair of green herons, a gray catbird, a wren and lots of gold finches.
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Today at the AHATS WOA, I Saw a Dove
This mourning dove sat patiently while I assembled my gear in the parking lot at the AHATS Wildlife Observation Area. Not much wildlife movement there tonight. Saw a couple young eastern bluebirds, some ring-billed gulls, a pileated woodpecker and some gold finches.
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Today at the AHATS WOA, I Saw a Green Heron
This morning at the AHATS Wildlife Observation Area, I saw a green heron. All the regulars were there: song sparrow, goldfinches, gray catbird, mourning doves, cedar waxwings, black-capped chickadees, American crow and for the first time I saw a wren.
Saturday, August 3, 2013
Tonight at the AHATS WOA, I Saw Dragonflies
Not much bird activity at the AHATS Wildlife Observation Area. Lots of these little golden dragonflies though.
Today at the AHATS WOA, I Saw a Gray Catbird
This gray catbird was hunting from the barbed-wire this morning at the AHATS Wildlife Observation Area.
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Previously at the AHATS WOA, I saw my Shadow
I saw my shadow on the bridge a while back at the AHATS Wildlife Observation Area.
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Today at the AHATS WOA, I Saw a Rainbow over Bridge
I got up for sunrise today and was rewarded with a rainbow over the bridge at the AHATS Wildlife Observation Area.
Saturday, July 20, 2013
This Morning at the AHATS WOA, I Saw Wildflowers
Lots of flowers blooming at the AHATS Wildlife Observation Area today. The photo on the right is a monarda, also known as bee balm.
Below is butter-and-eggs, also known as Linaria vulgaris and toad flax.
Below is butter-and-eggs, also known as Linaria vulgaris and toad flax.
Friday, July 19, 2013
Today at the AHATS WOA, I Saw Dragonflies
Lots of dragonflies out at the AHATS Wildlife Observation Area tonight.
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Previously at the AHATS WOA, I Saw Flowers
Many of the flowers at the AHATS Wildlife Observation Area are in bloom now. The photo on the right is milkweed.
Below, is black-eyed susan and hoary alyssum. There is also butterfly weed, goatsbeard and some invasives blooming there.
Below, is black-eyed susan and hoary alyssum. There is also butterfly weed, goatsbeard and some invasives blooming there.
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Today at the AHATS WOA, I Saw a Woodpecker
Another first for me at the AHATS Wildlife Observation Area: A downy woodpecker on the barbed-wire.
Monday, July 1, 2013
Today in and near the AHATS WOA, I Saw Coyote
I spend a few hours hanging out at the AHATS Wildlife Observation Area and ended up getting a ride around the AHATS. I saw tons of bird. The swan pair on Lake Marsden have two cygnets. The tree swallows mobbed a cooper's hawk. A song sparrow flew up close and sang at me. I also saw: northern flicker, American crow, red-winged blackbird, eastern bluebird, gold finch, house finch, heard a chickadee and saw chimney swifts.
Within the AHATS, I saw a coyote.
Within the AHATS, I saw a coyote.
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Nowhere Near the AHATS WOA, I Saw Buildings Implode
I went to Minnesota State University - Mankato on June 29, 2013 to watch them demolish the old Gage Towers dorm. It was great fun. The photo on the right is a collage of the highlights.
Please visit my other blog for link to a slide show of more photos and some videos.
Please visit my other blog for link to a slide show of more photos and some videos.
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Today at the AHATS WOA, I Changed the Name of This Blog
The Minnesota National Guard updated the name of my favorite small park. For years it was called the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area. TCAAP stands for Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant. The TCAAP has been closed for many years so it was about time the name got updated.
The park is now known as the AHATS Wildlife Observation Area. AHATS is the Arden Hills Army Training Site, which is the current name of the 1300 or so acres on the eastern side of the former TCAAP land.
The park is now known as the AHATS Wildlife Observation Area. AHATS is the Arden Hills Army Training Site, which is the current name of the 1300 or so acres on the eastern side of the former TCAAP land.
Friday, June 21, 2013
Today at the Former TCAAP WVA, I Saw a New Sign
The Minnesota National Guard removed the sign at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area a few months back. Today, I noticed the new sign up. This area is now officially called the AHATS Wildlife Observation Area.
AHATS = Arden Hills Army Training Site
TCAAP = Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant
I'm not sure if I should changed the name of this blog and the Facebook site. What do you think?
AHATS = Arden Hills Army Training Site
TCAAP = Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant
I'm not sure if I should changed the name of this blog and the Facebook site. What do you think?
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Today at the TCAAP WVA, I Saw a Dragonfly Fight
I nearly always see something new at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area. Tonight was no different. Here is shot of a dragonfly fight. I heard them buzzing and managed to catch two shots, one of which was in focus.
The osprey on the south end of Lake Marsden are feeding young. Not sure how many yet because they are still low in the nest.
The osprey on the south end of Lake Marsden are feeding young. Not sure how many yet because they are still low in the nest.
Friday, June 14, 2013
Previously at the TCAAP WVA, I Saw a Goldfinch
Most of the time, the goldfinches near the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area just flyby or they briefly stop on the barbed wire. This guy sat singing for about a half hour as I practiced with my flash setup. Thanks, Mr. Finch.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Today at the TCAAP WVA, I Saw a Song Sparrow and Worm
The song sparrow pair at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area were obviously feeding young today. They have a small nest on the ground so I hope people don't continue to use this as an off-lease playground for their dogs.
Today was my first time in the field with my new homemade flash bracket. It was much fun. I learned things and confirmed things I've read about flash.
Today was my first time in the field with my new homemade flash bracket. It was much fun. I learned things and confirmed things I've read about flash.
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Today Near the TCAAP WVA, I Saw a Killdeer
We had a great day for the St. Paul Audubon Urban Bird Festival near the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area. This momma killdeer got a little hungry or nervous. She was sitting quietly while nearly 30 of us shuffled by and made photos. Later she got up and picked at the ground for a few minutes and sat back down on the next.
We saw a dead common nighthawk and lots of other live birds. We also saw two coyote puppies far in the distance.
A male eastern bluebird was bringing food to a nearby nest can. Fortunately we had a bluebird expert with us so we took a look at the four babies.
We saw a dead common nighthawk and lots of other live birds. We also saw two coyote puppies far in the distance.
A male eastern bluebird was bringing food to a nearby nest can. Fortunately we had a bluebird expert with us so we took a look at the four babies.
Monday, May 27, 2013
Previously at the TCAAP WVA, I Saw a Yellow Warbler
I think this is the first yellow warbler on barbed-wire I've made.
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Today at the TCAAP WVA, I Saw a Yellow-headed Blackbird
Saw my first ever yellow-headed blackbird at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area this morning.
And some barn swallows were acting amorous on the barbed wire.
And some barn swallows were acting amorous on the barbed wire.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Previously at the TCAAP WVA, I Saw A Swan Landing
Last Sunday, I saw this swan make a pass around the lake and land.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)