Go Out!

In order to take photos of Nature, you have to get out and explore Nature! It is not going to come to you.... you need to venture out. And patience is a MUST.... and a sense of humor. And understand that nature is not going to just hand you every scene on a silver platter. Sometimes you get lucky. Sometimes you miss the most amazing shot. If you expect perfection every time you go out, you are missing the lesson. (Hey, kind of the same with dog agility!) It's about the journey - the adventure - the laughs along the way, and the friends you make. I wouldn't trade it in for an instant. 

"Go out, go out I beg of you    
And taste the beauty of the wild.    
Behold the miracle of the earth    
With all the wonder of a child."  -Edna Jaques

Awesome Weekend With Frozen Toes

I went up to Duluth, MN last weekend to go birding with an awesome guide who is familiar with the area, including the famous Sax Zim Bog. He was able to show us birds we rarely see in Nebraska, like the very handsome Great Gray Owl.

We also saw more owls (much to my delight!) including 3 Boreal owls. Quite rare to have so many sightings of these guys up there right now, possibly some sort of irruption. It was a treat to see them - they are actually quite small.

We also saw a Northern Hawk Owl and a Snowy Owl that had been wing-tagged (used to track for research) and that was amazing as well. 

All in all - it was damn cold. It was -22 below when we hiked out early in the morning to see the Great Gray owl. My toe warmers were no match for winter in Duluth. Perhaps I need to try the battery operated socks next time? In addition to the owls, we also saw other amazing birds like Evening Grosbeaks, Boreal Chickadees, Hoary Redpolls, and Gray Jays. It was a great time, and I look forward to going back. (Maybe when it is not so cold?) If you are ever looking for an awesome guide to show you the sights, check out this webpage: Naturally Avian