Uri's Blog Notes from 44.483N, -92.261W, planet Earth

Dragonfly days of summer

The late summer sky over the fields and meadows is filled with these master aerialists. Gnats swarm around my face while thousands of Dragonflies, golden in the sunlight, swoop and roll and zing around, feasting on anything aloft that is smaller than themselves. Many of them gnats I suppose. They are highly evolved creatures. See them in slow motion in this video:

Barred Owl, a permanent resident

A barred owl takes flight near the Coon Rapids Dam. Photographer Marlene Sternberger explains: 'Walking in the deep woods, I spotted this fella and he spotted me.'

I got this from the Minnesota Scenes slideshow on MPR News Q. It's worth taking a look at some great shots taken during this beautiful summer in Minnesota.

Here is audio/video of some wonderful Barred Owl communications:

A film for every human being

EARTH DAY 2010 - 40 YEARS
Earth Days (American Experience). Watch it online

It's a very inspiring film that puts our Earth, our Mother in to perspective. It made me cry.

Welcome Spring!

Frog Daddy

Frogs in the meadow

There is a population "explosion" of Northern Leopard Frogs around here this summer. In the spring their characteristic "snoring" mating call was the dominant one down in the backwater, so I was hoping to see lots of them in the meadow this summer. Since frog populations are down alarmingly all over the world,  I am thrilled to see them all over the place, hopping out of the way or lying quietly in waiting for a chance at a fly or ant or garter snake. In fact, they will eat just about anything they can stuff into their mouths, including other frogs and birds, oy! Yesterday I was startled by a particularly large one, probably a female, as they grow larger than males. I have to keep Trot on his leash in the meadow, as he has lots of fun chasing, biting and stomping on them. Leopard frogs  live near the water, but will often venture into well-covered grasslands (our meadow), earning them their other common name, the meadow frog.

Bee Balm Days

Wild Bergamot, (Monarda fistulosa), also known as Bee Balm, fills the meadow these days. I love to rub a leaf and inhale.  You've probably seen this native herb growing in dry thickets, clearings and woodland edges.  It attracts many varieties of butterflies, among them Giant Swallowtail, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and Aprodite Fritillary.  It seems to be pretty drought-resistant, as it survived the shank of this unusually dry summer. Now that we've had a good solid rain it seems to be standing taller (it could be my imagination) with its meadow-mates the Coneflowers and other late summer herbs.

A Sunday Afternoon in the Valley

What a wonderful song to have as ones constant companion in the meadow. The Field Sparrow's entreating call is one of the most musical. The days are filled with sun and bird song and the sweet and earthy smells of vegetation.

26º 27′ 00″ N 82º 01′ 00″ W – SANIBEL!

Elsewhere – the place to be in February!

That is why I would like to feature one of my favorite spots on the planet, The J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge. It is located on the subtropical barrier island of Sanibel in the Gulf of Mexico. The refuge is part of the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the United States. It is world famous for its spectacular migratory bird populations.  I will be spending about a week on the island very soon, and when I return (completely rejuvenated and with a tan) I will post photos of birds, amphibians, vegetation, and anything else I can find that we don't have here in the frozen north (which will be a lot). Learn about the refuge»