I am CuTRis

Both yesterday and today, there is a Bald Eagle flying over my house. Am I just afforded the opportunity to be more observant since my lay-off? Or, is Migizi here to tell me something? Over two decades ago, I returned to Minnesota after leaving the state for a short time. The eagles greeted me frequently back then, and it was good to have the messenger advocating on my behalf. I feel like this is not just a coincidence.

Clover Loop Moth Ant Hover Fly Bald-Faced Hornet Nest Gray Tree Frog Robin Plume Moth

We attended the UMN Raptor Center bird release at Carpenter Nature Center today.

A cool thing happened today. It took a while to get to the cool part though. I caught a vole in a mousetrap that I had along the fence along their runways. Unfortunately it didn't die and it was pinned in the trap so when I picked up the trap it started squeaking like crazy. So, I put the trap down and bashed its head in. Then I pulled it out of the trap and threw it over the tall fence into the front yard so that I could go around to the other side and put it in the garbage. But I noticed something through the crack in the fence and took a closer look. It was a Broad-winged hawk who had landed right there where I tossed the mouse. I reached for my phone to get a picture but the hawk picked up the vole and flew away. It was pretty cool, but also stresses why using poisons is not a good method of killing things.

Wren  

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

March 6, 2024 - We drove to Islamorada and went wading in the Atlantic at Anna's Beach. We had lunch outside at Wahoo's, and we saw so many birds today! Pelicans, kites, gulls, lizards, crabs! We took photos with Betsy the giant lobster statue. We did some shopping and I visited the Islamorada Brewery and Distillary. We went kayaking, but I didn't go long, as the kayaks were the most uncomfortable, I've ever used. the "launch" was challenging too, as it was steep and rocky.