Night Games

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

Phantom Trail

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

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

On to the birds

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

Spring, again!

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

Wisconsin Confrontation

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

Bear Strolling

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

Morning Stroll

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

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

Trail Cam Surprise

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

Franklin's Dance

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

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

Reptilian Rapture

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

What is he doing?

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

Fish Lake Wolves

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

Early Arrivals

Early Arrivals from Dale Bohlke on Vimeo.

The members of the Crex symphony are beginning to return. With the rain and warm weather more will soon be arriving.
Dale