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.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Today at the TCAAP WVA, I Saw Burned Prairie
The guard did a controlled burn at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area today. This will help the native plants reestablish themselves. I can't wait to see the flowers in a few weeks!
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
St. Paul Audubon - Urban Birding Festival 2012
I'll be hosting one of the bird walks in the Arden Hills Army Training Site during St. Paul Audubon's Urban Bird Fest.
My walk will focus more on bird photography than the other bird walks. Come join me and bring your camera with the longest glass you can comfortably carry. Good binoculars or a spotting scope will come in handy. There are all sorts of birds we may encounter including: nesting common loons and trumpeter swans and osprey; various woodpeckers; ketrels; harriers; hawks; sparrows; warblers; meadowlarks; bluebirds; turkeys and more. I recently spotted a colony of bank swallows in there. We may have a chance to see beaver and river otters too! I haven't had time to train any of these animals so there are no guarantees. ;-) If you follow my TCAAP WVA blog, you have a pretty good idea of what to expect.
Keep in mind, we'll be walking about a mile or two so you might want to leave the 600 f4 and tripod at home unless you are really fit. There are bathrooms in the Readiness Center and water will be available but I suggest you bring what you need to stay hydrated and a snack, especially if it's really hot.
You MUST BE OVER 18 YEARS OLD TO PARTICIPATE! Although the site is very well cleaned up, it's my understanding that the MN Pollution Control Agency has made this rule. People under 18 years old will not be admitted into the site.
Saturday June 16, 2012
Arden Hills Army Training Site - MN National Guard Readiness Center
4694 Hamline Ave, Arden Hills, MN 55126
Bird/Photo walk begins at 9:30am to 11:00am
We'll meet in the parking lot of the National Guard's new Readiness Center. It's on Hamline Avenue and Ben Franklin Street in Arden Hills a couple blocks north of Ramsey County 96. Take 35W North to the Co Rd 96 exit (the next exit north of 694). Go east on Co Rd 96. Take a left (North) at the stoplight at Hamline Avenue and stay on Hamline until you can't go any further (a gate will stop you). Park in the Readiness Center lot. There will probably be signs.
For details on all sorts of bird walks that weekend visit the websites with each area or www.urbanbirdingfestival.org
My walk will focus more on bird photography than the other bird walks. Come join me and bring your camera with the longest glass you can comfortably carry. Good binoculars or a spotting scope will come in handy. There are all sorts of birds we may encounter including: nesting common loons and trumpeter swans and osprey; various woodpeckers; ketrels; harriers; hawks; sparrows; warblers; meadowlarks; bluebirds; turkeys and more. I recently spotted a colony of bank swallows in there. We may have a chance to see beaver and river otters too! I haven't had time to train any of these animals so there are no guarantees. ;-) If you follow my TCAAP WVA blog, you have a pretty good idea of what to expect.
Keep in mind, we'll be walking about a mile or two so you might want to leave the 600 f4 and tripod at home unless you are really fit. There are bathrooms in the Readiness Center and water will be available but I suggest you bring what you need to stay hydrated and a snack, especially if it's really hot.
You MUST BE OVER 18 YEARS OLD TO PARTICIPATE! Although the site is very well cleaned up, it's my understanding that the MN Pollution Control Agency has made this rule. People under 18 years old will not be admitted into the site.
Saturday June 16, 2012
Arden Hills Army Training Site - MN National Guard Readiness Center
4694 Hamline Ave, Arden Hills, MN 55126
Bird/Photo walk begins at 9:30am to 11:00am
We'll meet in the parking lot of the National Guard's new Readiness Center. It's on Hamline Avenue and Ben Franklin Street in Arden Hills a couple blocks north of Ramsey County 96. Take 35W North to the Co Rd 96 exit (the next exit north of 694). Go east on Co Rd 96. Take a left (North) at the stoplight at Hamline Avenue and stay on Hamline until you can't go any further (a gate will stop you). Park in the Readiness Center lot. There will probably be signs.
For details on all sorts of bird walks that weekend visit the websites with each area or www.urbanbirdingfestival.org
Monday, May 28, 2012
Today at the TCAAP WVA, I Saw A Purple Martin
A couple years ago an eagle scout put up a purple martin hotel at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area. Since then, the tree swallows have nested there. This year is no different. The tree swallows took over one of the room in the hotel over a month ago.
Today is the first time I saw a purple martin in the area. This martin flew around in circles while the tree swallows (and a couple barn swallows) harassed it for a good hour or so.
Today is the first time I saw a purple martin in the area. This martin flew around in circles while the tree swallows (and a couple barn swallows) harassed it for a good hour or so.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Tonight at the TCAAP WVA, I Saw a Storm Coming
I saw the radar had some red and purple spots headed towards the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area so I grabbed the ultra wide lens and headed out.
This shot was processed in Nik Software's Silver Efex Pro 2.
This shot was processed in Nik Software's Silver Efex Pro 2.
Today at the TCAAP WVA, I Saw a Flycatcher with Moth
Here is a shot of one of the great-crested flycatchers with a two-spotted forester moth at the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Today at the TCAAP WVA, I Saw a Couple Great Crested Flycatchers
I heard two or three of these great crested flycatchers around the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area this morning. It was mostly cloudy with a storm coming in but I went out anyway.
I knew I had to get close to these birds to fill the frame but they are very skittish. I ended up getting lucky that this one landed on the barbed wire very close to me. I only got about 10 clicks on it before it flew off. The gray haze you see at the bottom of the frame is the bridge in the foreground. This shot is not cropped in post.
I knew I had to get close to these birds to fill the frame but they are very skittish. I ended up getting lucky that this one landed on the barbed wire very close to me. I only got about 10 clicks on it before it flew off. The gray haze you see at the bottom of the frame is the bridge in the foreground. This shot is not cropped in post.
Friday, May 25, 2012
Today at the TCAAP WVA, I Saw Butterflies
I stopped by the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area after work today and found a bunch of butterflies. I've been away from the area for more than a week so it was nice to be back.
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