Crex Meadows

Still Waiting

2012-01-28T08:42:00.003-06:00

Snow cover is still minimal but deep enough to follow some tracks. With the warm weather normally sleepy wildlife has been active. A porcupine walked over a mile on N. Refuge Rd this week. I followed what looked like possum tracks the other day. Wolves are on the hunt day and night trying to find a winter stressed deer. Single wolf tracks are being seen wherever there are deer tracks.

A Den

2012-01-20T08:47:00.004-06:00

Another afternoon was spent exploring, this time around Grettum Pines. I was hiking with a college student from Chattanooga, TN and we were looking for tracks and other wildlife signs. On one of our track explorations we came across this den.

"Who is going to be the first to look in it?" I asked. Getting closer eliminated any mystery of its owner, not a bear, wolf, or bobcat, just a common porcupine. Porcupines live in their excrement. Is it possible that their droppings make good insulation for them. The floor of the den was covered with these droppings, definitely not the best housekeepers in the animal world.

Burnt Ridge

2012-01-14T08:16:00.003-06:00

No snow means easy walking so I spent yesterday afternoon exploring recent additions to Crex Meadows. Last year over 300 acres of relatively untouched land were added. In contrast to the wetlands of Crex it is composed of oak savanna and sand dunes. The other notable difference is the number of easily walked trails. Stop at the visitor center and ask about Burnt Ridge when you are in the area.

Winter?

2012-01-09T11:03:00.003-06:00

This is a tough winter to keep the creative juices flowing. Usually the cold dampens the creative spirit, this winter it is the constant November/March appearance of the landscape. I cautiously ventured onto Fish Lake last week to look for something at sunset. As I was checking out the ice at my feet some interesting patterns were discovered.

Best of 2011

2012-01-01T07:39:00.003-06:00

For the past 4 years I have been using trail cameras to document predators on Crex Meadows. Relevant images are either donated to the WDNR or used for educational presentations. This year there was more variety with bobcats making several appearances. It is hard to determine unique individuals so there may be only one or two that are active. Wolves have changed their pattern during 2011. There appears to be a pack of 4 in the northwest corner of Crex and a pair that use the rest of Crex for their range. This is a drop in numbers from the two packs of 4 in previous years. Last winter there was lots of coyote activity but they are very wary and rarely photographed. Although I hear reports of gray foxes everywhere none were photographed this year. This may be related to my technique. Cameras are placed without scent attractants although occasionally placed on a carcass. The best of 2011 can be seen at: http://dbphotog.zenfolio.com/

Winter Begins

2011-12-11T06:45:00.003-06:00

The cranes have left and there are very few birds in the area. Shrikes are the most common birds around but still can be hard to find. With the low deer harvest and light road kill eagles are scarce. Most of my shots have been after dark on the trail camera. I've heard that gray foxes are everywhere but haven't gotten one to cooperate yet. This red fox was passing by during a recent snowfall.

Bobcats on the move

2011-12-05T11:33:00.002-06:00

I recently checked my trail cams and was surprised to find bobcat activity. We'll see if they were passing though or have established a territory when the cameras are checked later this week. Although it is hard to tell I think there were two cats, each at a different location, about a mile apart. Individual cats are identified by examining facial markings but only one stopped for a portrait.
Dale

Still here.

2011-11-30T09:16:00.003-06:00

The cranes are edging south with the largest concentrations on Grettum and Dueholm flowages. The upper Phantom L. flock also remains. I didn't see any on the Refuge extension. The temperature this morning 14 degrees and the birds were roosting on the ice. Take off is precarious with lots of slipping down the icy runway. My curiosity finally pushed me to find the to answer the question of how those feet stay warm on the ice. They probably don't stay that warm but at least they don't freeze. Apparently there is a heat exchange between the blood flowing to the feet and the blood returning. As the warm blood heads toward the feet it transfers heat to the cold blood coming back resulting in warmed blood going to the heart and cooled, but still warm blood going to the feet. Why didn't I think of that?

Stuffed!

2011-11-24T13:16:00.001-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

First Snowfall

2011-11-21T10:13:00.003-06:00

I haven't been around for almost two months and was worried that the cranes might be gone before I returned. After rushing to beat the storm on Saturday it was a nice to see them again.
Dale

Look twice...

2011-11-06T18:06:00.001-06:00

In the fall of 2008, 3 endangered Whooping Cranes were spotted at Fish Lake SWA and in the fall of 2009 one of those 3 returned to roost at Crex Meadows with the Sandhills. Currently there are estimated to be around 17,000 Sandhills in the area. During the day they go out to feed in the surrounding fields so as I'm driving around, I'm scanning the fields hoping to catch another sighting of a Whooper. This Sandhill in a field near County Road M south of Crex made me look twice.

The Sense of Smell

2011-10-16T10:35:00.002-05:00

These images were taken in total darkness emphasizing the curiosity and keen sense of smell of this wolf. A large bear checked this camera out and probably licked it a few days earlier. The camera moving without the wolf in view is when it was nudging the camera. The red light flashes did not seem to bother it. The camera has been repositioned, we'll see if it was still attracted to it the next time the memory card is exchanged.

Millions of blackbirds

2011-10-06T10:33:00.003-05:00

Several migrating songbird species are passing through but the most impressive are the redwing blackbirds.

Crane Season

2011-10-03T09:57:00.003-05:00

The cranes are back in the refuge and roosting much closer this year than last year. The numbers are not very high yet but a good north wind will change that.

Fall Color

2011-09-29T10:28:00.004-05:00

Bright and sunny did not last very long this morning. Sunrise was flat with some high clouds and the cranes were moving south off the Refuge continuously for the first hour after sunrise. Leaves are falling with the high wind but color should remain for a few days.

What was that?

2011-09-17T06:49:00.003-05:00

This bear which I have dubbed big ears has been camera trapped several times at a couple different locations. At a previous camera location she may have been the bear that bent a rebar post to almost 90 degrees, try that some time. I think it was used as a scratching post. The same camera has been put at my all time favorite location monitoring a wolf scent post where this photo was taken.

First Frost

2011-09-16T06:00:00.002-05:00

The thermometer said 19 degrees. My fingers said "frozen". Yesterday there was a frantic search for gloves, I finally found a matching set; left and right, blue and green. The geese were busy doing what they do best, eating. There was a set of opossum tracks in the sand on Phantom trail. I bet he was wondering how to get back to Iowa.

Trail Cams & Bears

2011-09-04T07:00:00.002-05:00

There have been several bears moving in front of the trail cams this summer, most ignore it but others have taking an interest like this one. Another one used the rebar post the camera was attached to as a scratching post and bent the rebar to almost 90 degrees. I don't use a scent mask or blocker and although the camera may be out a week or more before the bear comes by they still seem to smell something. The camera used on this clip has an invisible infra red flash so I don't think the flash alerted it.

I prefer to have a bear notice the camera since one camera was cut off a tree by one of the primates walking in the woods. Fortunately the camera was found and returned by a more friendly member of the species.
Dale

Karner Blues Mating

2011-08-31T13:57:00.002-05:00

I'm going through the butterfly videos from this summer and put this together. Karner's are so common here it is easy to forget they are endangered. There should be more around next year. Its common name was given to it by a Russian novelist who first discovered the species near Karner, NY. Now you can sleep easier.

Camouflage

2011-07-26T10:51:00.004-05:00

This faded Mottled Duskywing blends in perfectly to the gravel. It would be almost impossible to see on a tree. Butterflies seem to use one of two options for survival: hide or being easily seen. All in all fascinating insects.

To see video of this butterfly and others check out mnwindchill's YouTube channel at: http://www.youtube.com/user/mnwindchill

Mimicry

2011-07-23T07:46:00.003-05:00

I am on a butterfly photography mission these days and getting images of both new species and old friends. Among the old friends is the Viceroy butterfly. At first glance this is appears to be a Monarch but a couple things distinguish it from the Monarch. It is smaller and does not float in flight like a Monarch. It will will allow you to get a good look at it when its resting, something a Monarch rarely does. When looking at it the bar on the rear wing becomes obvious, something the Monarch does not have. There are lots of them around. The next time you are watching butterflies consider: Is that big orange butterfly a Monarch or Viceroy?

Gorgone Checkerspot

2011-07-18T07:36:00.003-05:00

What's in a name? I'm fascinated by the common names of plants and butterflies. In Greek mythology there were three Gorgon sisters who had snakes for hair and would turn anyone who looked at them into stone. Fortunately this is not the case with this butterfly.

New Growth

2011-07-14T07:57:00.002-05:00

This camera has been in the Fish Lake area for the last month and I braved the deer flies to see what was on the card. Only a couple deer and a work crew came by during that time. I am always amazed at the number of people who pass by such out of the way and inhospitable locations.
Dale

Milkweed Peak

2011-07-12T13:44:00.003-05:00

Common milkweed are at or near peak and definitely at peak for butterfly photography. Not only is the photography excellent, the aroma of the flower is incredible. Just by watching a plant with camera in hand dozens of photo ops present themselves. These plants are a food source for almost everything that flies and even the crab spiders that lie in wait for dinner.

Shiny Teeth

2011-07-08T08:07:00.002-05:00

This wolf came very close to the trail cam and showed its gleaming teeth. What impresses me the most is their small size. For some reason I thought the teeth would be bigger, probably a function of the mythic "big bad wolf" mentality. A pack of five passed through in mid June. The alpha male with it's shoulder stripe, a black male, 2 mid sized grays, and a small yearling gray bought up the rear. The alpha and the small gray have been in area intermittently but this is the first time this year the pack has been at the scent post. Based on tracks this is probably the pack that has been frequenting the Buggert L. area.
Dale

(Image cropped to 50% of original)

Karner Blues

2011-07-01T15:46:00.003-05:00

This was an excellent year for both lupine and the first flight of Karners at Crex and Fish Lake. Several times I lost count of the number of butterflies flying about me. The Prairie Redroot this one is feeding on is similar to Jersey Tea but I believe it is Redroot. Karner caterpillars feed exclusively on lupine but the adults feed on several different plants. I hope the second flight later this month is as active as the first one was.
Dale

Cedar Waxwings

2011-06-23T19:36:00.000-05:00

I took a trip through Crex today even though it was raining. After 3 straight days of rain I was going stir crazy. I happened to see a pair of Cedar Waxwings on the corner of East and North Refuge Rd. I watched them as they pointed their heads upwards in unison several times and then they mated. I was pretty far away but snapped a few pictures anyway. When I got home I could see that one Waxwing had a small berry in it's mouth. Doing some research I found out this is part of their courtship. They pass a berry between them. Interesting...
Kathy J.

Night Games

2011-06-10T06:57:00.003-05:00

These guys seem to be having a blast. I was reminded of dance recitals that we attended in years past. This den is exposed and would have made a great site for photography except virtually all activity has been at night.
Dale

A Short Rest

2011-05-30T07:40:00.004-05:00

There are a variety of uses of trails in Fish Lake WA. Occasionally it is used as a phone booth, albeit temporarily. In addition to the usual wildlife this young man was captured on the trail cam.
Dale

Wolf Dispersal

2011-05-27T08:30:00.004-05:00

This young wolf says it all; thin, awkward looking, insecure, on the move. Food is at the low point during the spring with hungry mouths to feed at the den so the yearling siblings start moving to new territory looking a mate and for space to claim for a new family. Other dispersers are alpha males who have lost their leadership role. The wolves of Crex are a dynamic group with a different alpha male taking over last fall. This spring wolf activity has been limited to hunting signs, a definite change from the last two years. The high water may limit the small mammals and deer may still be the primary food source causing the wolves to stay in the woodlands.
Dale

Phantom Trail

2011-05-22T07:43:00.003-05:00

I was walking down Phantom Trail early one morning last week and found these tracks of fellow wanderers. The bear which had been heading toward me turned around and left the trail. The wolf continued on its way ahead of me. Male bears are starting to look for partners and young wolves are dispersing looking for a new family to join. I was enjoying the early morning sights and sounds.
Dale

Realistic or Impressionistic

2011-05-18T06:47:00.005-05:00

For the last couple weeks I have been exploring Phantom Lake Trail. While looking for signs of spring to photograph earlier this week I walked along the hilltop at the Phantom overlook and spent an hour looking for photos. The sun was just breaking through the trees and the white flowers were brilliant against the grays and greens. Dale

First Adventure

2011-05-13T13:08:00.002-05:00

I look forward to the emergence of fox kits each spring. There innocence and curiosity is tempered by a strong instinct to return to the den at the slightest unusual sound.
Dale

On to the birds

2011-05-09T07:49:00.003-05:00

The spring ephemerals are on the decline and babies are starting to show up. Goslings are on the roads and fox kits are peaking out of the den. Warblers, those tiny birds that don't hold still, are starting to come through following the path made by the yellow rumps. Whippoorwills start their 3 AM serenade to alert the rest of the bird world to impending dawn. This is the time of year when the Crex orchestra is at its most diverse. Go for a walk and enjoy spring.
Dale

Sweet Tooth

2011-05-02T09:05:00.002-05:00

This yellow-bellied sapsucker is enjoying a sugar fix. Later in the year it will drill tiny holes to attract insects to the leaking tree sap. Earlier a red squirrel was on the same tree licking up the sap. There's something universal about sugar cravings. Bring on the chocolate!
Dale

Chipmunk in Motion

2011-04-26T14:32:00.002-05:00

I hope this short video brightens an otherwise dark April day. It was filmed last spring on Phantom Trail while the chipmunk was busy foraging and was very tolerant of me. The challenge in assembling the clips was finding background music to match its energy and movements.
Dale

Bobcats and Butterflies

2011-04-17T07:19:00.004-05:00

When I set this camera up last week it was 70 degrees, I was in my t-shirt, and butterflies were dancing along the trail. Yesterday the wind chill was in the low 20's, there was snow on the ground, and I had three layers on to keep warm. One of my biggest fears with trail cams is theft or vandalism so I usually place the cameras where their is little anticipated human activity. Boy was I wrong this time! In addition to a fisher, raccoon, several porcupines, a couple deer, and this bobcat there was a group on horseback (illegally) and a couple guys in knee boots. The good news is the camera was not molested. The best news is this bobcat stopped for a photo. The wood planks are 2 by 6's and give a sense of size to the bobcat. Earlier in the year one was harvested by hunters and this one moved into the vacated area about a month ago.
Dale

Tundra Swan Migration

2011-04-12T08:06:00.003-05:00

Last week thousands of tundra swans were crossing over Crex and the surrounding area. A few stopped to rest along the way and I was lucky to watch this group rest then group up to take off and continue their migration. The whistling chatter was amazing and to me much more pleasing than the raucous sound of trumpeters. This group was on North Fork Flowage.
Dale

Spring, again!

2011-04-07T10:09:00.002-05:00

No more false promises, it has finally arrived. The next several days should be peak for early season migrants. A couple of unusual sightings, at least in my experience, occurred yesterday. A golden eagle was sharing a tree with an immature bald eagle providing a unique chance to compare them. As I was ending my day a short eared owl nearly took my cap off. I was too shocked to move when I saw a bird coming at me in near darkness. I must have done something because at ten feet in diverted.

Butterflies have also warmed up. Two hibernators were out yesterday: the eastern comma and mourning cloak. The orange of the comma was a welcome sight as it floated about. For the plant lovers the skunk cabbage are out in the seeps along the St. Croix.

This weekend promises to be a spectacular show of early spring at Crex Meadows.
Dale

Reading Bones

2011-03-26T07:30:00.005-05:00

With the temporary return of winter it is a good time to read an article that has been around awhile, since 1949! A wildlife pathologist by the name of E. L. Cheatum published a landmark article on bone marrow analysis of white tail deer which gives an estimate of the animal's nutritional status at death. The bone marrow consists of fat and blood cells giving a normal bone marrow the color and consistency of fat. Once a fawn reaches 4-6 months its marrow is the same as an adult. Cheatum determined that when marrow fat becomes 50% depleted the other body sources of fat have been utilized for energy, the marrow then becomes a solid red color. How does all this relate to the two coyote killed deer I found last month? One deer was in good shape and the other was severely malnurished.

A copy of the is interesting article is available on request.
Dale

It must be Spring!

2011-03-20T07:25:00.004-05:00

Fifty degrees yesterday and rain during the night means I can now rely on my solar powered snow shovel for the rest of the season. Any new snow will soon be gone. This time of year is a good time wander around looking for evidence of old foundations, basements, and other signs of previous human use. There are no insects, the ground is hard: perfect for wandering. No luck finding an old homestead yesterday, just a nice dropped antler.
Dale

An Otter with Attitude

2011-03-15T09:51:00.002-05:00

I watched this otter most of last week and one day there was an intense confrontation between the otter and two trumpeter swans. With limited open water each was vying for space but different foods. I'm sure the swan feet were disturbing the fish for the otter. In any event it was willing to take on two swans to protect its turf. In the end all left the area and returned the next day.
Dale

Wisconsin Confrontation

2011-03-11T08:14:00.003-06:00

I prefer this confrontation to the one in the news. This otter was minding its own business when swan 24A and its mate decided to eat in the same area. With the odds of size and 2 on 1 it seemed clear who would win. However the otter chased both birds out of the water before swimming away, leaving the pool empty except for the food each was vying for. There might be a political message here.
Dale

Grettum Pines Cafe

2011-02-09T18:51:00.005-06:00

I came across the remains of this deer while exploring the Grettum Pines area. As I was following a trail there suddenly was a profusion of tracks. Looking ahead the deer ribs immediately caught my attention. The recent snow had obscured the details of the myriad of tracks leading to it making species identification impossible. Once at the site the overlap from multiple species further complicated track identification. A fox or coyote had bedded down to keep watch on the carcass. The absence of the skull and distance of the skeleton from the entrails may be meaningful to a trained biologist, however, to me these details raise intriguing questions but no answers. Square patches of fur are pulled off to the side in multiple directions where something has been chewing. It is tempting to assume this is a wolf kill but other predators also kill deer or perhaps this is a winter kill. Clearly the deer is feeding many hungry customers.
Dale

I checked the bone marrow with Steve Hoffman and this animal was malnourished but not starving at the time of death therefore it was a predator kill. Since the skeleton is relatively intact it was not killed by wolves. The remaining possible predators are a bobcat, bear, or coyotes. It seems to remote for a dog kill.
Dale

Exploring

2011-01-29T07:18:00.003-06:00

Lots of time on the snowshoes this winter have lead to some interesting sights. We started at the Grettum/Hickerson intersection and have been working our way north. The nice thing about snowshoeing is the walk out is much easier than the way in. During my wandering on Thursday I came upon what looked like a bear den however the flashlight was in the truck so I couldn't see into it. My first thought was I'll never find this spot again in a million years and started home since it was after 4 PM. Shortly after leaving the site there were fresh snowshoe tracks to follow out to the truck. Imagine my surprise 15 minutes later when I was back at the bear den. It was time to break out the compass.
Dale

Three Dog Trail

2011-01-23T08:00:00.004-06:00

The Upper Phantom Ski Trail is being groomed this year for the first time in my memory. It is in excellent condition and a great hour loop. Sandi and I skied it last week and were greeted by a wolf scent post within a 100 yards of starting the trail. The wolf was making it's rounds, soon it was joined by coyote tracks. Later a fox used the trail. The wind was brutal until we got into the trees where we found a porcupine nest of pellets at the base of a tree. Most would not think of taking a nap on droppings however there is a theory that porcupines stay warm this way since the droppings are almost exclusively wood chips at this time of the year. The three dog trail was followed by a three dog night with the temp dropping to minus 34 degrees at the cabin. This prompted me to wonder where the animals sleep. The birds have it worst, perched in the wind. This red fox has a nice warm shelter.
Dale

Top Dog

2011-01-15T08:10:00.003-06:00

The Crex wolf pack is busy patrolling the roads again this winter. There are four members in the pack and they make miles wandering in search of food. I would expect them to settle in close to a deer yard soon. This pack had 7 members in October and now has only 4. Pack size is based on biologic efficiency. A wolf can eat almost a quarter of its body weight (about 100#) at a sitting, deer weigh about 100+ pounds therefore a pack size of 4-5 animals ensures all get enough to eat at each deer kill. The entire deer is consumed with the marrow being the most nutritious for its fat content.

In addition to this pack there may be a pair of wolves in the Buggert Lake area. I hope it stops snowing for awhile so the tracks can be patterned and common routes identified. There are a pair of wolves on Fish Lake that I would like to camera trap.
Dale

Tracks and more tracks

2011-01-09T21:19:00.000-06:00

Over 40 people attended the track training class held last Saturday at Crex led by Steve Hoffman and Bob Hanson of the WDNR. The morning was spent in classroom instruction and the afternoon was spent out in the Meadows doing field work. Upon completion of this class you are eligible to assist with the WDNR's winter carnivore tracking study. It's not as easy at it seems so anyone is welcome to go out with Steve and Bob for more hands on training.


Steve Hoffman identifying tracks.

Bob Hanson showing this group a set of Fisher tracks.

We were able to see and try to identify fox, weasel. coyote, fisher and wolf tracks.

Kathy J.

Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T08:20:00.003-06:00

We share a number of traits with animals, fortunately most of the shared traits are not a requirement for our survival. I am sure this deer could smell something that reminded it of food and was not just curious about the little box on the tree. Over the years our curiosity can be blunted or even lie dormant. On the other hand it can be a trait the makes the world alive each day. May your curiosity be rekindled in 2011.
Dale

We are not alone

2010-12-29T07:58:00.003-06:00

Looking at the windblown snow is fascinating as my mind wanders looking at the seemingly random lines and shapes. Yesterday I was looking at much more specific shapes, tracks made in the woods. Winter allows us to see our neighbors: wolves, otters, bobcats, and the ubiquitous deer. I wandered through Fish Lake Natural Area, west of Hickerson Rd, and came across both bobcat and wolf tracks in the woods, a humbling experience while wandering through the dense brush.

As I review the blog statistics for 2010 I also realize we are not alone in cyberspace. There were over 1360 new visits from people in 38 states at the blog this year. The vast majority were from MInnesota and Wisconsin, Illinois was a distant third place in visitation. A total of 3880 visits were recorded on the blog. This blog was created by Kathy J. and it has been a great outlet for me to share Crex.

We thank you for reading.
Dale

New addition to Crex

2010-12-16T19:57:00.002-06:00

I got to meet the new Crex educational Screech Owl today in between programs that Ali Thomas was giving to Grantsburg school children. This little owl acquired West Nile Virus as a hatching and as a result she's flightless. She never lost her down feathers until she was 2 years old and by the time her flight feathers finally came in her pectoral muscles were not strong enough to allow for flight.
She came from the Raptor Education Group, Inc. (REGI) in Antigo, WI. and is now being kept by Mary Wicklund. She will be a valuable addition to the educational program at Crex.
Click here to learn more about the Eastern Screech Owl

Kathy J.

Last Stolte Drive?

2010-12-11T07:41:00.005-06:00

Red Breasted Nuthatch

I drove Stolte Rd yesterday looking for tracks and the northern hawk owl that visited last year. It was not around but who knows, it might return. The tracks on the road were surprising! A pack or three coyotes were hunting along the road all the way to Dueholm. No wolf tracks were seen. With the number of coyotes I wonder if the wolf pair is spending time elsewhere. They seemed to be moving along at a leisurely pace. While snowshoeing later in the day Sandi and I found a wintering hole of either a fox of coyote. A camera trap is planned to identify the owner. This morning's storm may put an end to leisurely driving on Stolte since it is not plowed north of the Dueholm overlook.
Dale

Wandering Bear

2010-12-08T14:26:00.003-06:00

This young bear came through Crex this spring. I have been trying to find its origin since photographing it. No one in MN or WI is missing a bear except maybe Fort Ripley in MN. The researcher there was missing a couple collared bears when I talked to him this summer. If this is a Wisconsin bear it might come Stevens Point or from a research project that is no longer operational. Dave MacFarland who leads the bear studies in Wisconsin has seen the photos and talked to researchers but has had no luck identifying the collared bear's researcher. That leaves the likelihood that it may have wandered 90 air miles to Crex from Ft. Ripley.

Perhaps it will be around next year or the collar will be found.
Dale

Wolves and Deer

2010-12-05T06:29:00.005-06:00

I have been watching this doe and 2 fawns for the last six months on a trail cam positioned at a wolf scent marking location. On multiple occasions the deer and wolves pass the camera within hours of each other. A red fox has also had the audacity to leave its mark at the scent post, a very brave guy given wolves known antagonism toward foxes. Because of the recent freezing rain the camera was covered in ice and had to be pulled for a few days. Wolves are now patrolling the roads and two were seen this week on Hickerson Rd. on Fish Lake Wildlife Area.

With the onset of winter and conclusion of hunting season I hope to place cameras at various locations with the goal of getting new species such as a bobcat and better fisher images (if only they would hold still).
Dale

A hint of the sun

2010-12-02T13:41:00.004-06:00

I spent yesterday afternoon in the Amsterdam Sough area where a local trapper was setting traps for mink and fisher. As a visitor to the area I forget the economic resource Crex properties are to many residents. This gentleman had memories of trapping beaver through the winter for the pelts and to help feed his family of six. He commented on the high cost of gas and how it cuts into his profit margin. Thank goodness I don't have to worry about my photography profit margin.

With the overcast light black and white images were the only photo opportunities and I stopped several times to create various compositions of the pines and snow.

On the way back to the cabin there was about 15 minutes of sweet light, just enough to remember what the sun looks like and get a couple shots.

Dale

First Snowfall

2010-11-26T12:02:00.003-06:00

I happened to be in the blind on the morning of the first heavy snow two weeks ago. It wasn't so cold as it was wet. The cranes were very quiet and until the blastoff I had no idea there were so many. They milled around in the air and did not leave the roost during the time I watched them. It's hard to believe the first snowfall was only 2 weeks ago.
Dale

A new wolf pack

2010-11-15T11:30:00.002-06:00

Last week a new pack arrived at the scent post. A pack of seven wolves that had not previously been seen arrived in force. What happened to the other pack? The black wolf of the previous pack was euthanized a couple weeks ago because of blindness and close human contact. At this point it is not known whether a necropsy will be done. The wolf encyclopedia by Mech, et al lists blastomycosis as a cause of blindness. Given the appearance of the animal over the summer months this may very well be the case, if it is this is an isolated illness which probably will not affect the pack.

Did 7 new animals arrive? I don't think so, my guess is when the previous pack of 4 lost a member it was unable to defend its territory and two of the members joined a pack of five led by the mottled alpha male. This would account for the bewildered appearing previous alpha appearing at the scent post the day after the new pack left its calling card; pure speculation of course.

The wolf survey this winter could be interesting if the pack stays in the area.
Dale

More on the Trumpeter Swan

2010-11-12T16:07:00.001-06:00

The Wildlife Rehabilitation Center has posted a blog about the injured swan. There is a link to a video on their blog showing the swan release at Fish Lake. I'm happy to report that as of this afternoon (Nov. 12th), the swan is still at Fish Lake and doing fine although he has not been reunited with his mate yet.
WRC blog

Hopefully this will happen soon.
Kathy J.

Swan shooting at Fish Lake

2010-11-07T18:24:00.006-06:00

I have never been known for my writing skills but I will attempt to tell this story of a successful wildlife rescue.
Late Friday afternoon, Oct. 29th, Mary Wicklund, our local and truly dedicated and caring wildlife rescuer, received a call from a local hunter that he had seen an injured and bloodied collared Trumpeter Swan on North Dike in the Fish Lake Wildlife Area. An attempt was then made to capture it but due to the ability of the swan to still fly short distances and the approaching darkness, the rescue attempt was called off. The calls went out and a time was set up for 10 AM Saturday morning to meet up at North Dike flowage on Fish Lake Rd, to attempt another rescue. Mary and her husband Donny pulled up with their kayaks, canoe and large fish nets. Chris Spaight, our local game warden interrupted his vacation and came out with his wife and young son. Steve Hoffman, the Crex Wildlife Biologist came. Barry Wallace came all the way from Hudson (Barry is the “Swan Man” from Hudson akin to the “Swan Lady” of Monticello ). Dave Roelfs, myself and a few other bystanders were also there.
After spotting a collared swan lying in the grasses a fair distance out, waders were donned, the strategy was planned and big fish nets were handed out to Dave and I. We had it easy. Our job was try and net the swan should it try to get across the road thus preventing if from getting into the water on the other side of the road. Soon 4 kayaks and a canoe were launched into the flowage. The strategy is to make a large circle around the swan and slowly close the circle at the same time cutting off access to other areas of the flowage. This is not as easy as it sounds as sedges and grasses must be maneuvered around, over or through. Soon the kayaks were speeding off and shortly most were not even visible from the road. Slowly they started making the circle smaller and by this time the swan knew something was going on and started swimming back deeper into the flowage but was cut off and flew back towards the road. It was at this time that I noticed the bloodied right wing through my camera lens and realized the extent of the injury. Now a young man standing on the road grabbed an extra kayak off the trailer, donned a life preserver and joined in. Several times the swan was surrounded and would fly a short distance away from the kayaks but with each flight you could tell it was becoming weaker and weaker. In the meantime the injured swan’s mate was flying in circles overhead probably not understanding that everyone was there trying to help it's mate. At this point the swan was so exhausted it couldn’t fly anymore. The rescuers surrounded it but weak as it was it still evaded several attempts to catch it. Finally Donny caught it and handed it off to Steve. The interesting thing about swans is that the majority of times, as soon as they feel a hand around their necks, they become completely docile and make no further attempts to escape. The swan was brought into shore and Mary carried it up to the road and set it on the side of the road while Donny ran to the truck to get the transport crate. The swan laid it’s head on the ground and there were fears at this time that he might not make it. He was put into the crate and Barry brought it to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Roseville, MN. Chris was pretty sure it was a shotgun injury and this was confirmed by the vet at WRC in a call to Mary later that day. They found 2 pellets in the swan. One in the soft tissue in it’s right elbow and another pellet was lodged in it’s abdomen. It appeared as if another pellet had gone through it’s body and out his back causing a lot of blood loss. They said they would not try to remove the pellets as it would probably cause more damage. Now the good news….the swan should recover. They plan on keeping it for a couple of weeks to allow the swelling to go down in it’s elbow and allow it to recover from the blood loss. In addition, tests showed it was lead free which is also excellent news.

Now on to the question of how or why this swan was shot. Was it an accident? Was it deliberately shot? If it was accidental, an ethical hunter would have reported it. We will probably never know but hopefully the investigation will result in an arrest and conviction. Many thanks to "Sammy" the hunter that reported this.

Kathy J.

(double click on all photos to enlarge)

Donny Wicklund ready with the net.

Steve Hoffman bringing the swan in to shore.

Mary Wicklund carefully transferring the swan from the kayak to land.

03A was hatched in Totogatic Lake in Bayfield County in 2003. He is the male of a breeding pair that have been nesting on North Dike for the last few years. He will be returned to North Dike where his mate is waiting. Hopefully he will recover completely and will return next spring to sire many little cygnets.

Blind Intact

2010-11-04T14:46:00.002-05:00

I was relieved to find my photo blind completely intact yesterday. It is still out in the elements at a new location. At some point there will be a video entitled " A day in the life of a sandhill". One of the hardest behaviors to film is the warm up exercises done at dawn. This is in addition to the always present challenge of getting up close and personal. By the time I get back to the cabin tonight I will have spent about 8 hours in the blind since yesterday; not very exciting.

This is footage from September

Dale

Crossed fingers

2010-10-27T08:47:00.002-05:00

I put a blind on the edge of a crane roosting site last week and had some good action the first night but not much the second night. It took about 20 minutes to walk a quarter mile through brush and knee deep water to place the blind so I thought I would leave the tent blind out and use again in a couple weeks, not anticipating the current storm. It is tied to a couple bushes so it may only be shredded. Every time a wind gust hits the windows here in southern Minnesota I can see the blind being whipped.
Dale

The last bright colors

2010-10-24T08:27:00.002-05:00

The brilliant aspen, maples, and oaks have given way to the pastel colors of late autumn, only the bright tamarack colors remain. However, most people are looking for the brilliant red and flat gray of the sandhills at this time of year. Roads are congested with travelers from all over the world, the cranes are a major attraction for tourists and photographers. The best viewing is on Grettum Dike Road since more birds are on Fish Lake WMA this year than on Crex Meadows. This presents a great opportunity to see another wildlife area that is best known for its prairie wildflowers. If you get a chance drive Hickerson Road or Stolte Road.

Where are the cranes?

2010-10-06T10:41:00.004-05:00

This October the cranes are really spread out and it's hard to find a consistent location, except the corn fields, to view and photograph them. They seem to move roost sites frequently. Flight photography is best on East Refuge Rd. as they fly in and out of the Refuge. Grettum has the highest numbers and either parking lot along 87 or near the lone oak along Grettum Rd. are good spots to get a few flight shots.

Flocks of ducks are starting to show up and I expect the crane numbers to dramatically increase over the next couple weeks. Corn harvest south of Grantsburg will give better viewing of flight paths to and from the Refuge. The dispersion of the flocks is good for the cranes but frustrating for us.
Dale

Changing Colors

2010-09-24T08:01:00.004-05:00

We had to get out yesterday afternoon despite the rain. The colors are changing and the rain was not going to stop us, unfortunately it really started raining while we were out. The maples will be at peak in a few days. Currently County Road O has good color along it. Prairie grasses look great with the muted color of asters mixed with the big blue stem. With today's wind the ducks should blow in soon. Cranes are here, my guess is a thousand or so.

This was the best way to take in the fall colors yesterday.
Dale

September Blues

2010-09-15T08:54:00.003-05:00

The pinks of early summer have transitioned to the yellows of mid summer and now the blues of September signal the coming burst of fall color. The gentian family, like this closed (bottle) gentian, has three members on Crex or Fish Lake. This one can only be opened by a strong insect like a bumble bee. On the other hand, the prairie gentian opens and closes depending on the cloud cover during the day. Like all prairie plants they have medicinal uses in the past. It is amazing what people have tried for various ailments. The roots of this were thought to aid digestion.
Dale

Wolf Howl

2010-09-05T16:17:00.000-05:00

About 25 people showed up to go on the "Wolf Howl" last night. As you can see, the Wheeler family was dressed appropriately for the occasion. After a presentation at the visitor center by Steve Hoffman with a slide show of the different wolves captured by Dale Bohlke's trail cam, we all carpooled out to the Meadows. Although we had experienced howlers, the wolves were not co-operating. We stopped at several spots around the refuge and listened intently but no wolves answered back. The evening was not a disappointment though as it was a beautiful, mosquito free night. Especially memorable was the cloudless view of the sky from Riegel Overlook. We stood silently and took in the beauty of the evening stars and watched in awe as several meteors streaked across the sky.


Afterwards we went to the rest area where a bonfire was going. We roasted marshmallows and made S'mores. The end to another great evening at Crex. Many thanks to the Crex staff for organizing another enjoyable event at Crex.

Mushroom Time

2010-08-20T12:39:00.003-05:00

Another 2+ inches of rain today, on top of 4" last week. The wetlands are indeed wet with the crew checking the dikes for any problems. Between showers today I went looking for mushrooms. Hot, wet, and dark equal perfect mushroom weather and habitat. I'll let people smarter than me identify them, I just like to photograph them. The common white ones were developed using HDR techniques to preserve the detail in the caps.

Starry, starry night

2010-08-10T17:03:00.002-05:00

We went looking for the aurora borealis last week and didn't see it but I decided to try some light painting while waiting. The sky was star filled otherwise completely black and quiet.
Dale

Recent Wolf Images

2010-07-30T09:30:00.016-05:00

The scent post trail cam was checked after a month with several interesting captures of wolves, cranes, and deer. Two wolves came through during daylight and their summer coat is a marked contrast to the winter one. A pair of them marked the scent post one night. This pair wolves firmly established their territory by marking this small oak bush. The sequence is interesting with what appears to be the female waiting for the male to mark first; age before beauty? I don't know enough about wolf behavior to interpret this behavior. My style is to shoot first and ask questions later. For the last several months only 3 wolves were beeing seen in the pack and it appears the pack is back to four animals: a brown, a black, and two grays. If there are pups maybe they will be brought to the scent post for a portrait shoot.
Dale

Butterfly Battles

2010-07-20T15:10:00.002-05:00

Several species of butterflies were jockeying for position on this fox scat a few weeks ago. It was a quiet morning and after laying down near the scat for a few minutes the butterflies became very active and tolerant of the camera. This footage was taken on the same day as the previous still images.
Dale

Skipper Behavior

2010-07-14T10:38:00.003-05:00

I recently did some dusty belly photography on the Corduroy Dike until a car came along and stopped the fun. Several butterflies were busy at fox scat and this an image shows a skipper depositing a drop of water and then using its proboscis to collect the nutrients in solution. A connection between a red fox and skipper butterfly seems impossible until you see something like this; another example of the complexity of nature.
Dale

Nature's Bounty

2010-07-03T15:17:00.001-05:00

While roaming the Meadows last week I found a patch of blueberries already ripening so my husband and I went "pickin" this morning. Thank goodness there was a strong wind as it kept all the bugs away. Just watch out for the Poison Ivy that seems to be mixed in among the blueberries.
Kathy J.

Wood Lily Field

2010-06-30T08:43:00.002-05:00

There is a field of wood lilies in bloom along County Rd O, more lilies than I have ever seen in one place. This is wildflower season with a rainbow of color on the prairie, including a few late blooming lupine.
Dale

Corduroy Dike Evening

2010-06-26T07:39:00.003-05:00

Five inches of rain within the last two weeks have put the water levels higher than they have been for years. It will be hard for the migrating shorebirds to find mud but the ducks may be stop by in numbers we haven't seen for awhile. Butterflies and prairie flowers are now taking front stage. Mosquitoes and flies are doing well. This is one of the most colorful times of the year. Summer is a great time to get out of the car and stroll the prairie. Sometimes watching a single flower is amazing as butterflies and insects visit it. It's time to enjoy the small wonders of the world.

Dale

Mystery solved...

2010-06-23T10:43:00.001-05:00

I got an email back with info on the Sandhill Crane with leg bands. How exciting to get news like this.

Kathy;
Thank you so much for forwarding this observation on to us! I remember this bird very well....
Our team from ICF was at Crex in the summer of 2007 banding chicks for a project by a colleague, Matt Hayes, who is currently working up his PhD at the UW-Madison. He is looking at the dispersal of Sandhills in the upper Midwest, and these birds were part of the genetic component of that question. So - the bands may look worn, but they are only 3 years old! That glorious brown mud that has stained the feathers of this bird has gotten the bands as well. I've attached a picture of one of these bands, how it SHOULD look!
When we found this family group on 14 July, just east of County Rd F north of the headquarters, it was well out into the wetland. We thought we would try and sneak up on them anyway... well, our team ended up chasing that poor chick for a half hour before it was finally in hand! We quickly banded, measured, obtained a blood sample (it turned out to be a male) and released it to waiting parents. It is simply priceless to see evidence that it is not only alive and well, but likely near its natal area. Could you provide coordinates or other description of where you observed this bird? It may even be a paired, breeding bird. On that same trip we also caught birds in Amsterdam Slough and Fish Lake areas; All have the red number band, plus the one inch color/US Fish & Wildlife silver band combination. Do let us know if you happen to see more!
Such great information; thank you so much.

Sincerely,

Anne Lacy
Long Term Crane Research Coordinator

International Crane Foundation
E-11376 Shady Lane Road P.O. Box 447
Baraboo, WI 53913-0447 USA
608-356-9462 x146 / Fax: 608-356-9465

Visit our website! www.savingcranes.org
"Working worldwide to conserve cranes and the wetland, grassland, and other ecosystems upon which they depend."

Sandhill Crane bands

2010-06-22T17:55:00.000-05:00

Of all the thousands of Sandhill Cranes I have seen over the years, I have never noticed one with leg bands until today. I was driving down Main Dike Road and about 1 mile before James Road, a crane flew out of the deep woods right in front of my car. It landed on the other side of the road and I could see it was being harassed by deerflies. I started taking photos as it walked away and it was then that I noticed it had leg bands on both legs. Unfortunately, I couldn't read any of the numbers but I have reported it to an email address I found on the internet (savingcranes.org).
I'll report any information I get back from them.
Kathy J.

Storm Clouds

2010-06-21T06:15:00.005-05:00

I'm experimenting with time lapse video and last Thursday's storm gave me the perfect opportunity to try it. An intervalometer that allows me to set the interval between shots on the DSLR arrived last week and I was anxious to use it. Video is played at 30 frames per second so at least 300 frames are needed for 10 seconds of viewing. Doing the math, 30 second intervals is a time lapse of 2 1/2 hours. This video was captured over about 45 minutes. Experience will eventually determine the best interval for each subject. The Animal Planet series "Life" is the inspiration for this, especially the plant segment in which they compressed a whole growing season into 10 seconds. That 10 seconds took two years to build, more energy than I plan to expend.

The storm looked too threatening in the house and I went into the prairie for better visibility and to get away from it although Sandi says it was just an excuse to play with a new toy.
Dale

Cranes and Wolves

2010-06-20T10:18:00.003-05:00

I have had a camera at this scent post for about a year and a variety of species have been recorded. This is an interesting reaction from the cranes to the wolf scent. I would like to thank the photographer who did not bother another camera trap that was set up on Crex. That location has been good for bears this spring. Since it's Father's Day, I'm hoping for Obsession cologne. Check out this link: Cat Attractant

It's about six weeks until the Third Annual Crex Photo Seminar which has a theme this year of Creative Nature Photography. Another speaker has been added to the already diverse group of presenters. Kyle Krohn from West Photo will be here to answer equipment questions and show a selection of products. Check the Crex website if you are interested.

Dale

Swans in the rain

2010-06-11T15:42:00.000-05:00

Z72 with his mate and 3 cygnets

From the information I have, Z72 is a male that was hatched at Grettum Flowage at Fish Lake Wildlife Area in 2003.
Originally this pair had 5 cygnets when I first spotted them on May 18th. This video was taken June 5th so they've lost 2 cygnets. It's a tough world out there.

Bear Strolling

2010-06-08T15:10:00.003-05:00

This guy was peacefully ambling along last Saturday morning. I'll let you in on a videographer's secret. The original audio was unusable because of my panting after running 200 yards across the prairie, carrying the camera and tripod, to get in front of him. As he headed away from me the camera battery died. This was edited from about a minute of raw footage.

I have a collared bear captured on the trail cam that I am trying to get info on and can't wait to post it with the details. This has been a good year to see bears.

Dale

Killdeer Family

2010-06-03T08:23:00.002-05:00

I have been watching this nest for the last several weeks and happened to be on hand the day the eggs hatched. I came back the next day in morning light to film them. These offspring are about a day old and ready to fend for themselves but still like to stay warm under mother's wing. Does this sound familiar?

Dale

Phantom Lake Sunset

2010-05-31T07:05:00.004-05:00

We had a very successful basic DSLR class on Saturday and finished the day watching sunset at Phantom Lake. It was great to see young faces learning the basics of photography. With nearly one on one instruction from photo club members the students received individual attention. From an instructor's viewpoint it was great to see the light bulb of understanding switch on several times. There is a fall class tentatively scheduled for the first weekend in October.

Dale

Morning Stroll

2010-05-28T10:53:00.002-05:00

At some point I realized this skunk was within my comfort zone and there was nothing to do but remain motionless. The closer it came the more my attention became focused on its tail. At some point it must have been aware of me but decided I was not a threat.

Dale

Mating Osprey

2010-05-23T19:48:00.002-05:00

This nest is in a remote area and I've been watching it for the last several weeks,setting up a tent blind about a week ago. On the first evening in the blind this pair arrived within minutes of getting situated. I was hoping for nice warm light but had to settle for overcast.

Dale

Franklin's Update

2010-05-17T19:42:00.002-05:00

This guy is getting harder to see and seems to be spending more time in the brush prairie. A couple mornings he has crossed the road at 9 AM and I have been lucky enough to see him. The first time he went between my tripod legs and I didn't work the camera well enough to capture him. His range is at least 250 yards from the where he is first seen and when I lose him. Except when he is in the open he is very tolerant as long as there is no sudden movement. Moving on to other subjects, he has had enough of my attention.

Dale

Trail Cam Surprise

2010-05-16T10:51:00.004-05:00

My weekly card exchange on the trail cams had the expected wolves and this cat. There were bobcat tracks at the rest area a year ago but I think this is one of the few images of one. It posed for 5 seconds and moved on. It's a nice to see one passing through, a breeding pair to add to the nearly complete Crex ecosystem would be even better. However, birders may not be too excited to have another nest predator.

Dale

Mother's Day

2010-05-09T19:35:00.002-05:00

This was taken last week and it seems to fit with today. Perhaps the young will be around later and I can see the results of this mother's careful settling in on her nest. I marvel at the seemingly random placement of killdeer nests, most must be successful given the large number of adults seen throughout the year.

Dale

Wild Edibles at Crex

2010-05-07T17:00:00.003-05:00

Ali Corde put on a great program at Crex last Tuesday with samples of some of the wild edible plants available at Crex including: dandelion greens salad, dandelion flower fritters, dandelion creamed greens, cattail shoots, popped wild rice, fern fiddleheads and pine needle tea. Everything was delicious. Many thanks to Ali for going through all the trouble she did to collect everything and to the staff that helped her prepare these things for us.

Kathy J.

After the program we left the visitor center and were treated to an amazing sight of a double rainbow. I hurried up to Phantom Trail before it disappeared and took this shot. Crex truly is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Franklin's Dance

2010-05-02T09:05:00.002-05:00

This animal is currently in the Crex spotlight after years of invisibility. It's no wonder since according to one source only 10% of their time is above ground. Thanks to the prescribed burn we will be able to watch for her (?) over the next couple weeks. Credit goes to Kathy for seeing it and giving me a location. I walked the road with only a pair of binoculars while searching for it. There was a fox hunting and I started to follow it. When I turned around the Franklin's was standing upright half way between me and the truck where the camera gear was located. Fortunately it was hungry and allowed me to watch and record it for several minutes.

Dale

Fox Kits

2010-04-29T08:22:00.004-05:00

This pair of fox kits are the youngest I have seen. They seem to have trouble walking. The two personalities were apparent with one being extremely curious and the other just waiting for food. More video from this location is unlikely since the den is so well hidden any regular filming would surely affect the kits. Hopefully a more exposed den will show activity. The best den for viewing is no longer active although I did get some footage of a vulture feeding on the carcass of its former resident; the cycle of life.

Dale

Franklin's Ground Squirrel

2010-04-28T13:31:00.010-05:00

Some people might not think the sighting of a squirrel is all that spectacular but this rare sighting made our day as Windchill and I roamed the Meadows yesterday. This is the first time I have ever seen a Franklin's Ground Squirrel.

The WDNR lists it as a mammal of special concern and is state ranked as an S2: Imperiled in Wisconsin because of extreme rarity (6 to 20 occurrences or few remaining individuals or acres) or because of some factor(s) making the species very vulnerable to extirpation from the state.

We first noticed it in a newly burned area where it's light color stood out against the blackened prairie ground. Had it been in an unburned area, we probably would have never noticed it.

It ran across the road back into the relative safety of the refuge with it's thick prairie grasses, hopefully a little safer from predators.

For more information visit the WDNR website:
Franklin's Ground Squirrel

Kathy J.

Bullsnakes in Wisconsin

2010-04-21T22:48:00.001-05:00

What a great video posted by Dale. Did you know that Bullsnakes are listed as a Protected Wild Animal by the WDNR? The following is from their website.

The Bullsnake Sighting Initiative

Bullsnake

The Bullsnake sighting initiative objectives:
Bullsnakes are non-venomous constrictors that prey mostly on small mammals. They are typically associated with short-grass and sand prairie habitats, or savannah habitats. Within the Upper Midwest, prairie habitats have significantly declined due to agriculture, urbanization and vegetative succession that is the result of fire suppression. The loss of such habitat, particularly in areas critical for foraging, nesting, and over-wintering, has caused significant bullsnake populations declines. Now uncommon throughout much of the Upper Midwest, bullsnakes are listed as a Protected Wild Animal by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Despite this listing, however, little is known about the bullsnake's true distribution within Wisconsin. Few, if any, reports of bullsnake sightings occur annually in the state, and those that do occur are often anecdotal and difficult to substantiate.
In an attempt to obtain a greater amount of data on this species for its present and future conservation, a standardized protocol has been developed that makes use of the state's most invaluable tool...its citizens. This protocol creates a simple means by which the general public can report bullsnake sightings for validation and quantification, which in turn will help wildlife biologists and resource managers make sound conservation decisions regarding bullsnakes and their preferred habitat.

Report your sightings here

Kathy J.

Reptilian Rapture

2010-04-19T07:05:00.003-05:00

I was wandering the prairie near James Rd. last week looking for a subject to video. My goal was to find pasque flowers in bloom then film bees or insects pollinating but this opportunity could not be overlooked. Two bull snakes were entwined when I arrived and separated two hours later. There were no pasque flowers or even plants to be found, maybe in a couple weeks the original plan will work.

Dale

Crex Wolves 2010

2010-04-14T14:17:00.002-05:00

There seems to be a new pack on Crex. The latest information on the collared black puts him in the vicinity of Hinckley. These three as well as two others that did not stand still for a picture recently went through the refuge. Their reaction to the trail cam is interesting. The first time they are exposed to it they are shy and tend to stay at the edge of the IR flash. As you can see they soon become curious. Perhaps next time they will scent mark the stake.

If there are sightings while you are driving around please let the visitor center know. Helpful information includes location of sighting, the animal's color, unique characteristics (limp, etc.), and activity. Photos are helpful to identify individuals.

Dale

What is he doing?

2010-04-12T19:55:00.003-05:00

After being gone for three weeks I am back for a week and one of the first tasks was checking trail cams. This camera was set up in our backyard to record ruff grouse drumming times so I could set up a blind and record in HD. A variety of visitors were recorded including a red squirrel, gray fox, several deer, a ruff grouse drumming, and this porcupine. This video must represent a scent marking behavior although it is only a guess. As a photographer recording behaviors I am constantly reminded how little I know about the animal world which keeps me coming back to time and again to film new material.

Dale

Spring Sandhills

2010-04-07T13:40:00.003-05:00

I've noticed a subtle coloration change in the Sandhills since they've returned to Crex a few weeks ago.

The photo above was taken 3-23-10 and this Crane lacks a lot of the rusty brown colors. (click to enlarge all photos)

The photos below were taken 4-6-10. A quote from the WDNR EEK website says:
In the spring, they actually "paint" their feathers with mud to camouflage themselves in brown grasses.

I watched this pair by the refuge repeatedly stick their bills in the mud then preen themselves. Minerals from the mud then color their feathers.

Turtle Time at Crex

2010-04-02T22:07:00.000-05:00

Turtles are coming out of hibernation now and many are crossing the roads in Crex. This Blanding's Turtle was inches away from death as a truck went by just as it was just coming out on the road.

Painted Turtles are fighting for their spots in the sun.

Fish Lake Wolves

2010-03-23T11:52:00.004-05:00

I have been following this pair's tracks and attempting to camera trap them for the last several months. Monday morning I was returning home from Grettum Flowage and these guys were in the prairie. The front one has a paunch; pregnant? The pair was filmed with a continuous roll of the tape which has been quick edited to remove most of the camera motion. The area is alive with wildlife!
Dale

Grettum Otters

2010-03-15T18:05:00.000-05:00

At certain times I wish I had a more powerful lens for my camera and a HD video cam. Today at Grettum Flowage in Fish Lake was one of those days. I saw 2 Otters by the control structure and watched them for quite a while. They would dive down into the water and come up with a Painted Turtle and eat it. It would take them a few minutes to eat one and quite often you could hear the shell skittering along the ice. Turtle shells were scattered along the edge of the ice. Once in awhile one otter would go sliding across the ice to finish eating a turtle in a different area.
While watching the otters I could hear Sandhills on Grettum. Also saw the first butterfly of the season, a Mourning Cloak, and the first Bluebirds of the year.
Kathy J.

Spring has sprung

2010-03-14T22:27:00.000-05:00

With the rising temperatures (in the low sixties today) many of the ponds and flowages have open water. The remaining ice is melting fast and creates a unique photo opportunity.

Geese and swans are pairing up and claiming their territories. It's so good to see more life returning to the Meadows.

Kathy J.