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.

Today at the TCAAP WVA, I saw Cedar Waxwings

Cedar Waxwings DSC_7482, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

This small flock of cedar waxwings stopped by the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area for about 30 seconds. Wish I would have had more time with them.

Previously at the TCAAP WVA, I saw Grass

Grassy Love DSC_1188, a photo by Mully410 * Images on Flickr.

With the days getting shorter and the work hours getting longer, I'm really missing heading out to the TCAAP Wildlife Viewing Area after work.

Here is a shot from September 2010. I call it "Grassy Love."