Sleep and Food at home are wonderfully rejuvenating! With a limited endorsement from my wife and medical team, I drove north starting at sunrise both yesterday and this morning to the Greenwood Creek Bird Feeders. My goal was to refill the feeders and take hikes into the bog, but my real goal was to rebuild confidence. While I’m still getting medical care, I had been released from the hospital w/o restrictions, but I suspect Essentia St. Mary’s have a limited number of patients where this means escape off the grid to the Superior National Forest.
Regardless, mission accomplished! I have had a fantastic time both hiking on Superior Nation Forest Road and cruising the first 10.5 miles of Stony River Forest Road (still in rough shape … not yet repaired).
Here are a sequence of cell phone pics from my walk followed by a Spruce Grouse that strutted its stuff for me this morning. The hiking pics are driving exactly 6/10 of a mile in from Lake County #2, and parking by the rock pile. This walk was 1.4 miles round trip and quite easy.
Spruce Grouse from this Morning
Now, if everyone will grant me some leeway. Just prior to entering the hospital I took a few bird outing including a trip to the Toomey-Williams Forest Road in the Pine Island State Forest Wilderness a bit west of Big Falls, Minnesota. The images are all about two weeks old just before entering the hospital for 8 days. I finally have the energy to process photographs.
These White-Winged Crossbills were mad at a two Broad-Winged Hawks that were “hanging in the area”
And a Red-Tailed Hawk hunting back by Big Falls
Finally a Bald Eagle preening at Stony Point.
Finally the real treat for this morning was having a super long conversation with the Fond-du-Lac Tribal Conservation Officer about wildlife. I think we talked for over 45 minutes, and he gave me two pieces of amazingly tasty Moose jerky which he had made himself.
Glad you’re feeling better and back chasin birds.
Great shots once again.
Wish I was closer to your area. I’d be pestering you to let me tag along and learn some SX70 tricks.
I’m still praying for your complete recovery.
Good to see your smiling face —and in your element. Great pictures, as usual. Hope you continue to heal well.
So glad you are doing better Rich!
So happy to see you out in the field again Rich!
Welcome back. The bird photos are terrific, but the real treat is seeing you looking happy in the woods. You were missed. Take care.
So wonderful to see you in your element!
Beautiful pictures
Best to your healing
Rich, it looks like the boreal birds sent out the spruce grouse to make sure you were up for the walk. The last photo suggests he is giving you the bird equivalent of a thumbs up. Glad to hear you are in recovery mode; take care and thanks as always for sharing your wonderful photos and descriptions of the northland.
Stay well! Great to see the pics.
So fine to have you back with those awesome photos! Expect your daring venture back to your special places will do you the most good! ❤️🦅🌲🌳🦉
we’re in total awe of you getting out there, rich- and the photos are amazing. the birds and i are cheering and so grateful you’re back home, looking great and sharing all these beautiful photos
Richard, you look healthy. Always love your pics and narrative. Continue with your healthy way forward.