Friday, November 26, 2010
First Snowfall
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
Monday, November 15, 2010
A new wolf pack
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
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
Friday, November 12, 2010
More on the Trumpeter Swan
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.
WRC blog
Hopefully this will happen soon.
Kathy J.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Swan shooting at Fish Lake
(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. |
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Blind Intact
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
This is footage from September
Dale
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