River Expedition

So a bunch of guys decided to canoe from the Gulf of Mexico to the Arctic Ocean. Folllow along on this amazing journey !

http://www.rediscoverna.com/

Winter colors

Summer, Fall, now Winter to see the life cycle of change that Nature gives to a special Wildlife Refuge at this latitude.

We missed all the water fowl that migrated further South only days before.  Every body of water has been sheathed in the Winter barrier.
No water means no life for the aquatic feathered , and no time is wasted in traveling to better places.

Dissapointed ? No never ! The Planet always provides wonders, We just had to look in the sky. Migrating Snow Geese provided the wonder by flying in large formations calling the calls in a language only the Snow Geese speak.

Harriers and Short Eared Owls provided the acrobatic thrills as they hunted the fields for their next meal. Making flight look simple, a talent I wish I possessed.

A hop, skip and a few steps put us in a great position to view another wonder. A nest of a Bald Eagle. Always unmistakable the mansions in the forest. A good place to raise a family, and keep  your innocent away from those that would harm them.

Empty now, but it is the time that love is in the air, literally . After mates decide who they want and the dance of ages begins. In a short time the family will be on their home making sure their special ones survive until they are ready to leave. Almost all species do it.... Parenting.

But the thing I found most interesting on a warm winter day is how freezing and then melting ice makes holes in the mud. Leaving only the holes as the water escapes. I know I am a dork, but if only I could give you what I feel when the wonder takes hold of my soul .

(See older post for more about Clarence Cannon  NWR )

Lil ' Fox update

Sorry I have no pictures but lil ' fox  grew into a beautiful  young lady ! She was released into the woods in SouthWest Missouri.  She is where she belongs , the Wild !

Shaw Nature Reserve

Frozen Bubbles in a creek bed
Meramec  river, solid and liquid form
Tepee poles and sod huts. Different people at a different time.
Prairie dressed in Winter  colors.