A few glimpses of nature at its best

As we, as true Minnesotans, work our way towards the next season (spring), the older generation still keeps a lookout over their shoulder for that one big snowstorm that will most certainly come our way before the next season appears. For years it was an unwritten rule that there would be a blizzard on the same weekend as the state basketball tournament. That old ism has pretty much disappeared, along with many of our fellow soothsayers. I am amazed that that furry rodent named Phil is still going strong in the folklore world.

I look at this time of year as a time to reflect on what was and what is yet to come. I like to reminisce about my younger years and look forward to the days to come. I have mentioned many times that I enjoy watching the birds at the feeders, but I know that it will not be long before those annoying blackbirds appear to empty my feeders. For some reason, I just do not like those birds. I love the call of red winged blackbirds, but they are almost like a different species to me. As a kid hanging out at the bridge on North Bridge Ave, I welcomed the call of those birds. That is a sound that I would recognize anywhere. On a rare occasion, a yellow headed blackbird would appear and set up housekeeping in a nest built among the cattails of the slough. When I spotted one of them it was always a special time.

Yes, spring not only brought birds, but tadpoles would soon appear, which in turn would eventually evolve into frogs. That’s probably where Newton got his theories.

I love watching the cardinals, finches, nuthatches, chickadees, and woodpeckers as they appear at our feeders at home. When I am at the cabin, we have a larger variety of birds that visit, along with some four-legged critters. Over the years we have seen a variety of critters both large and small. We have seen many up close and personal and some have appeared on the trail camera.

We once had a badger walk out from under our deck and meander ever so slowly over to the cabin next door. One year we had a martin in a tree outside of the cabin watching my wife do dishes. Another time, we had a bear come up on the deck and look through the sliding glass door. It started to go after our bird feeders, so I went out on the deck and yelled at it. It stopped as if it understood the meaning of the word “No” when I yelled at it.

Last year, while none of us were there, our trail cameras captured two large black bears visiting our feeders. These bears were huge. I really hope that they survived the hunting season. We have also had a bobcat, coyote, numerous deer, raccoons, fox and a skunk captured on camera.

I can’t wait to get back up there to start watching the numerous birds and critters that visit our cabin each year. Spring and early summer are mosquito feeding time and I have fed my share. Last year I had to cut my visit short because those pesky insects invaded the cabin and I had to spend the nights sleeping with a sheet over my head. I eventually got tired of scratching myself and headed for home. I know that at least twenty-five of those little vampires rode home with me. I can usually tolerate them, but when you are in a confined space with them, it gets old. I always know what lies ahead, but I still enjoy being there. I will not let an annoying little insect get the best of me! I’m scratching already, and it is still winter.

Until next time: There is still ice on the lakes, but please proceed with caution if you must venture out.

Please show your support for our troops who are now deployed. These service men and women are making that sacrifice, so that we may have the many freedoms that we enjoy today.