As I mentioned in a previous post, this summer seems to be a banner year for the backyard birds. Lots of youngsters are out and about, learning the ways of survival in a world that is generally not very forgiving to mistakes. This Blue Jay still has down on its back but it’s flying well, … Read more
While walking through HyVee today, I happened to glance in the seafood section and saw an ample pile of cooked crawfish. Now normally I wouldn’t think much of that, except for the fact that I’ve been watching Night Herons devour the things with great enthusiasm. Surely they must taste pretty darned good. But despite the … Read more
It was good to see the balloons again this year after the 2020 National Balloon Classic got cancelled. This nine day event includes competition and recreational flying morning and evening (weather permitting). Over 100 balloons attend, plus there are fireworks, live bands, and on two special evenings, the night glow…where dozens of balloons cover the … Read more
After you have exhausted what there is in business, politics, conviviality, love, and so on — and have found that none of these finally satisfy, or permanently wear — what remains? Nature remains; to bring out from their torpid recesses, the affinities of a man or woman with the open air, the trees, fields, the … Read more
August 6th, 2021 was kind of a big day around here. Three historic paddle wheel boats…which are now used for touring up and down the Mississippi River…would converge on my area all at once. In this image the Queen Of The Mississippi approaches the lock just north of town, while the American Duchess follows behind. … Read more
Night Herons love crayfish, or crawdads…or in my mind, a mini lobster. The birds, for the most part, handle these crustaceans with ease…despite the fact that this delectable little critter can bite back…or pinch back would be a better way to put it. Herons might get grabbed now and then, which might delay the inevitable. … Read more