Yesterday at the AHATS WOA, I Saw a Sunset

Last night, I saw the sunset at the AHATS Wildlife Observation Area. It had been awhile since my last visit. It was nearly 60F.

There is still some deep snow around but most of the bridge was clear.  I saw a number of birds:  black-capped chickadee, American crow, mallards, Canada geese, both a male and female northern harrier, heard a red-tailed hawk, some gulls (probably ring-billed), couple downy woodpeckers, heard a pileated and a great blue heron flew by.

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I Saw No Sign

No Sign_43728.jpg, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

I found out today that the MN National Guard took the sign for the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area up to Camp Ripley to update it. Since the area hasn't really been the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant for a long time, they are going to change it to the Arden Hills Army Training Site.

I suppose my blog name needs to be updated when the sign changes.

Previously at the TCAAP WVA, I Saw Tracks Through the Mullein

Tracks Through the Mullein, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

Almost exactly two years ago today, there was a foot of hard crusty snow at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area. We are expecting some slushy rain/snow tonight but as of Saturday, there was no snow at the WVA.

Hoar Frost at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area

TCAAP WVA Sign and Frost D7K_5537, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

Fog was predicted for Saturday February 4, 2011 so I headed out to the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area with all my gear. We had spectacular hoar frost. Some of it was over an inch long.

I started out with the tripod and the Nikkor 10-24mm to get some wide environment context photos. Then I moved to the Nikkor 70-300mm for some tighter landscapes and close up before pulling out the Nikkor 500mm f4. I shot the 500 with and without the TC1.4eII.




After about three hours, I headed home and ended up shooting birds in my backyard for a while. The chickadee (not on the barbed-wire), the American tree sparrow and the grackle are all from my backyard.


Here is a slideshow. Click the four arrow like icon in the lower right for a full screen view of these 19 photos.

Nowhere Near the TCAAP WVA, I Saw Eagles Fishing

Rather than head out to the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area last weekend, I went south to Lake Pepin in search of eagle.  It was very easy to find the eagles but tricky finding a good spot to get shots.  The trick was to find a place near the edge where the ice and water meet.  It won't help you much knowing exactly where we were because the ice is changing daily.  Just head down there with your long glass and give it a go.

This slide show looks best in full screen.  Hit the four little arrows arrange in a box like fashion on the bottom right of the frame. 

Previously at the TCAAP WVA, I saw Snow

Bridge DSC_4962, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

The winter at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area has been pretty lame this season. Very little snow. Here is a shot from March 2011 when we had lots of snow. Hopefully, things will turn around soon.

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Today at the TCAAP WVA, I Saw a Frosty Morning Bridge

Frosty Morning Bridge DSC_4039, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

Got up before sunrise again today. Fog was predicted so I was ready with the wide angle lens. There wasn't any fog but everything was covered in hoarfrost. I had the big glass ready on the tripod but ended up spending most of my time looking for landscapes. This is my favorite frosty bridge shot but I also like this one too.



Here is my favorite shot of steam rising from the hoarfrost on one of the signs at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area:



There wasn't much animal activity this morning other than chickadees, blue jays and this northern shrike.

Today Near the TCAAP WVA, I saw a Sunset

Sunset DSC_3989, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

Today was cloudy, cold and super windy (20-30mph) for most of the day. Late in the afternoon it became party cloudy, so headed out to the AHATS for a quick drive. I saw lots of deer and coyote tracks on the road and a red-tailed hawk with a squirrel in its clutches.

As the sun set it clouded up so I figured the sunset was all done. I was making one last slow cruise through the area, mostly to count deer (12 total, mostly does and fawns, only one buck) when the sky lit up with brilliant orange, red and purple.

In the lower left foreground is an old building from the days of the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant. If the Viking end up fooling the tax payers for a new stadium, this is where it will be.

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.