Tuesday, January 5, 2010

January Wildflowers

The sunrise temperature has been in the -20 degree range all week. It has been hard getting out early for nice light but I finally made it today. Later in the morning the shadows were too harsh and the color was gone. This was taken near the historic overlook after walking a short distance in snowshoes to get a good background.

On another note, the hawk owl was busy hunting along the Corduroy Dike at sunset yesterday. Stolte Rd. is not plowed and is a single track of ice pack. I don't know what would happen if you had the bad luck to meet another vehicle.

The trail cams were empty when checked. One was ice covered. With the snow the wolves are staying on the roads and seem to be very active on East Refuge Rd and the Main Dike Rd by the pump house. Fox tracks are everywhere with an occasional pheasant wing signifying a successful hunt. This winter will be tough on pheasants, hopefully to the benefit of the few remaining sharptail grouse.

Dale

3 comments:

Crex Meadows Lovers said...

Well I give up. I was at FLWA yesterday looking for the Hawk Owl. Drove all of Stolte Road from south to north and didn't see it. That was about 2 PM. Glad I didn't meet a car.
Kathy J.

Anonymous said...

good work dale, i love the wildflowers in winter, their form even after they have gone to seed is striking, i have done a few of these but yours is very nice, i like the diagnal lines thanks for reminding me of color in the winter
Marge

McArt said...

Beautiful photo.