Decompression

I spent most of the day at Devil's Lake to take in some space, scenery and fresh air, but also look for Townsend's Solitaires. The morning was a little chilly, but the climb up the bluff warmed me up quickly. I thought the fall colors must be right around peak, though a man on Balanced Rock trail told me I might have missed it by a few days. What did I miss? Once I got to the top of the bluff, I can't imagine what he was talking about – the view and colors were spectacular and I doubt it could have looked better.

I located a good chair in the rocks on the edge of the bluff and didn't do much else but bask in the warming sun. I listened and occasionally scanned for the solitaires, but found none. Still, many other birds were present. Around me were Black-capped Chickadees, Dark-eyed Juncos, House Finches, Golden-crowned Kinglets, Cedar Waxwings and a Yellow-rumped Warbler. Down below I could hear Blue Jays and the occasional call of a Pileated Woodpecker. I was impressed when hearing a Carolina Wren's song from all the way across the lake – such an incredibly loud and cheerful song.

All images © 2007 Mike McDowell

Baby Porcupine Eats A Banana and Has Hiccups

This baby porcupine (also called porcupet) eats a banana. You'll hear tiny squeaks--those are hiccups!

His mother was killed when she was hit by a car and someone got him to licensed wildlife rehabilitator Gail Buhl. He was orphaned and imprinted on humans and is now living at Wolf Ridge Environment Learning Center in northern Minnesota.