Winter View of Lake Pepin
With the most unusual winter we have experienced this year, I decided to go for a walk down to the Head of Lake Pepin on the morning January 1st 2017 to check things out. The river is currently running at 5.5 feet which is about 2 feet higher than normal in the heart of winter. In addition to the high water level, I was very surprised to see that the lake was free of ice for nearly 2 miles downstream. That no doubt explains why there are no permanent ice fishing houses out from Methodist Point in Frontenac this winter.
Mature Bald Eagle
I mentioned in an earlier post that there were numerous eagles observed in this area in mid-December. Today only four were counted. A couple explanations for the decrease in observations might include more open water for obtaining fish as well as many eagles have continued their southward winter migration.
Ski Trail to Rattlesnake Bluff
As you might expect, the 1 inch rain we experience on Christmas Day created some very difficult conditions for local cross country ski trails. Icy trails that feature hills of any consequence can prove to be quite dangerous. Fortunately, the trails that lead to Rattlesnake bluff are either level or feature very gradual slopes. Hence the skiing since the rain has been surprisingly quite good. Dustings of snow on the trail even improve the situation. I have hardly missed a day of skiing since Christmas.
Pileated Woodpecker and a Crow
Kathy and I have participated in the Audubon Christmas Bird Count for the past several years. This is a most enjoyable experience that includes a morning 24 mile route that we drive in Wacouta and nearby Frontenac. The count this year was scheduled on January 2nd. Unfortunately the event was rescheduled to January 4th because of a forecast of freezing rain. With morning temperatures hovering around zero on January 4th, bird activity and sightings were considerably lower than previous years. Only 11 different species of birds were observed on the morning count. Interestingly enough, we actually observed 14 different species at our afternoon feeder count. This included the pileated woodpecker and crow competing for suet in this photo.
Here are some interesting and most unusual observations that were made on the Red Wing Area CBC.
One great blue heron
Two northern flickers
On Sunday January 1st, Caleb Jensen, Park Manager for Frontenac State Park, observed 20 bluebirds in a tree right next to the visitors center.
Gizzarrd Shad on the Roof
As were relaxing with a cup of coffee after breakfast on the morning of December 26th out in our sunroom, we began to hear some mysterious rapping. Initially we thought it might be coming from the neighbors as their Christmas guests were leaving. The strange noises continued after their departure. Next we went to both the front and back doors to check outside for some evidence. No solid leads materialized with those efforts.
We were zeroing in on the possibility that there was a squirrel up about the ceiling as the culprit. The loud rapping continued. Finally, I went upstairs and looked out the south bedroom window only to discover a large black crow pecking at a frozen gizzard shad carcass on the roof. Evidently during the rain on Christmas Day, a bald eagle must have dropped the fish on the roof. As temperatures dropped overnight, the fish froze to the shingle making it impossible remove.
As we head into a new year, keep alert for interesting and unusual happenings in nature.