Your the one that I want...

You're the one that I want (You are the one I want)
You're the one that I want (You are the one I want)
You're the one that I want (You are the one I want)
The one that I need, oh yes indeed!
(lyrics from Grease)

I was shooting landings when I captured these two, notice how they are coming together before they are even fully down? Interesting swan & courtship facts at the end of the post that you can skip if you are sick of bevies, cobs & pens...






Courtship ended rudely with a fly by...shucks!

Interesting facts (at least to me):
Snow-white Trumpeter Swans present a truly spectacular sight. With a wingspan of more than 7 feet and a height of about 4 feet, the Trumpeter Swan ranks as the largest native waterfowl species in North America. Most Trumpeter Swans weigh 21–30 pounds, although some males exceed the average weight. The male is called a cob; the female is called a pen; and a swan in its first year is called a cygnet or juvenile.

Trumpeter Swans may form pair bonds as early as their second winter. A far greater number of Trumpeters, however, first nest when they are 3–6 years old. Trumpeter Swans mate for life and may live for 20 years or more. If one member of a pair dies, the survivor finds another mate. Swans usually form pair bonds on the wintering grounds and engage in courtship behavior—bobbing their heads and quivering their wings as they face each other.

It’s a special treat to see swan mates “displaying”, gracefully touching bill-to-bill and breast-to-breast until a perfect heart shape is formed, or gently intertwining their necks.
Only one more post on swans...I promise!

Noise, cygnets and a Iowan...

I wish I had a sound byte of how loud the swans & geese were. You'll notice in many of the photos the mouths are open...lots of noise.
There were many youngsters in the bevy (I just love using that word). Are they still called cygnets (baby swans) at this stage? Here a bunch of them seem to be cheering on a dispute amongst the adults.
Here is what the brochure says about the cygnets..."When hatched, a Cygnet (baby Swan) may gain 20% of their body weight on a daily basis and are fully feathered by 7 to 8 weeks, yet unable to fly until 15 weeks. Daily practice of flight begins in mid-September, and they remain with their parents throughout winter. The young are chased away by the parents following their first winter, although they stay with their siblings for up to two years, followed by choosing a mate. This is where Monticello plays a key role as the ‘singles meeting place’ for the swans. The winter meeting grounds on the Mississippi in Monticello plays a key role in the formation of new pairs. Minnesota swans are tagged on the wing. Left wing tag indicates female, right wing tag is male. Iowa swans have neck collars."
I like this photo because the little group at the top of the photo seems to be having a "family meeting".
Looks like there were a few Iowans in the group...
Tomorrow...courtship at the "singles meeting place"...

Swan Landings....

Some of the swans were at the little park when I arrived but most of them flew in over the course of the morning. The swans are huge birds and even in a crowded river they had such graceful landings. The aerodynamics were just like an airplane...first it was wingtips & landing gear down...


then a hard braking with the feet flat & forward...


and the canadian geese follow the same procedure though did not seem near as graceful :-)
Wish you could have been there!

a paddling, a gaggle and a bevy...

Jeff & I were disagreeing over whether a bunch of geese were a flock or a gaggle and what then would you call 1200 trumpeter swans?So I looked it up and this is what I found...
Ducks - A paddling of ducks, a raft of ducks, a team of ducks, a dopping of ducks
Geese - A gaggle of geese, a skein of geese
Swans - A ballet of swans, a bevy of swans, a herd of swans, a whiteness of swans
Today, I had a wonderful morning seeing a bevy of trumpeter swans along the Mississippi River in Monticello, MN. There was a gaggle of geese and a whole raft of ducks too!

I had been hearing about the Monticello swans for the past couple of winters and came close to seeing them last week when we drove through but didn't know exactly where to find them. When I got home and checked this Monticello Chamber website, I knew I had to go back the next time I was in the area. Today, Jeff was attending a class in St. Cloud so I drove over and had a great (but freezing) morning watching them. It was a very cloudy and gray day so not exactly great for taking pictures but I managed to take enough that I'll be posting swans for a week (unless you beg me to quit!).
This area of the river does not freeze over because of the nearby power plant and Sheila, the swan lady feeds up to 1200 lbs of cracked corn a day attracting all the swans to one spot. I have shots of fly bys, landings, take offs, courtship dances and squabbles....stay tuned for the next installment.

It's cold out there...

This morning, I went to my friend Sharon's and I took along the camera because there are ALWAYS pheasants in the wildlife area along the road to her home. Wouldn't you know it was only 3 degrees out and windy so all the pheasants were off hiding somewhere else. Back home this afternoon I happened to look out the window and there were 2 roosters and 3 hens in my own backyard.
Looks like I need to wash the windows again :-)

Hey, I was busy...

I've been taking some teasing lately on not updating my blog as frequently...but hey, I was busy.

The essential question is not, "How busy are you?" but "What are you busy at?" (Oprah Winfrey)
So lets see...there was work...a roadtrip with Jeff to Cabela's in Rogers...more work...running errands (where it is very hard to walk past any seed displays...so I started my 2008 collection)...
there was time for tea and recipe browsing because there's something about winter in MN makes you want to try all kinds of new recipes...
and big family gatherings that remind you once again what really matters in the "garden of life"!

I'll try to update more frequently this week :-)

Rockin' Robins...

I spent some time copying photos off the computer today...enjoy.

He rocks in the treetops all the day long
Hoppin and a-boppin and a-singing this song
Every little bird, every little bee
Loves to hear the robin go tweet-tweet-tweet

Rockin robin, tweet, twiddley dee
Rockin robin, tweet, twiddley dee
Yeah go rockin robin, really gonna rock tonightEvery little swallow, every chick-a-dee
Every little bird in the old oak tree
Wise old owl, big black crow
Put out their wings singing go bird go

Rockin robin, tweet, twiddley dee
Rockin robin, tweet, twiddley dee
Yeah go rockin robin, really gonna rock tonight
The chief bird standing at the birdbath stand
Taught him how to do the bop and it was grand
Start goin steady and bless my soul,
He out-bopped the buzzard and the oriole
He rocks in the treetops all the day long
Hoppin and a-boppin and a-singing this song
Every little bird, every little bee
Loves to hear the robin go tweet-tweet-tweet

Rockin robin, tweet, twiddley dee
Rockin robin, tweet, twiddley dee
Yeah go rockin robin, really gonna rock tonight
(Hollies lyrics)

January roses...

Anything can happen when your heart whispers, “I believe. . .”
It's January and the garden is cold and snow covered but if you look hard enough you can find a rose...

Compliments of the new macro lens...the tip of a Colorado Spruce branch.

always, always, always...

On Sunday, I told you about the gratitude list of 3...actually Jayme & I started this around Thanksgiving so for Christmas she made me this photo frame with the words...There is always, always, always something to be grateful for. Isn't she creative with the 3 always...
Our family is attending a second funeral in as many weeks and amidst all the sadness are moments of joy. There is joy in looking at old photos...joy in shared memories...and joy in having a big family to support each other.

Sunday, the family was together for the day and when we got in the car to go home, Jeff found a small package for me. Inside, there was a note from my sister-in-law with a hummingbird ornament for the bird tree.

Today, I am grateful for Keri...

We will always remember...

Jayme & Grandpa on Christmas Day

What we will always remember is the way he laughed,
the stories and jokes he told,
the guidance he gave....

What we will always know is the friendship he shared,
the sacrifices he made,
the example he was.

What we will always feel...is his LOVE.

Celebrating in heaven tonight with his beloved, Mary...
In memory of Grandpa Allen
1928 - 2007

Resolutions...

It's that time of year to plan those New Year's resolutions...one I'm taking on is an "attitude of gratitude"
I think I've always minded my manners and thanked people...but have not always noticed all the little things around me to be grateful for (I don't know maybe I take them for granted). So in 2008, I'm taking on this advice which I received in a DARE e-newsletter. Start a Gratitude Journal. At the end of each day, write down 3 good things that happened in your life that day. They don't have to be big; it can be as simple as someone holding a door open for you. Keeping a gratitude journal is a great way to develop a positive way of thinking.
Sometimes, I will share one or two of them with you...My #1 today is how thankful I am to be able to see these individual snowflakes...I am sure most have not taken the time to look...this one is definitely worth the "click to enlarge"...who knew?...real snowflakes look just like the fake ones we see everywhere this time of year!

Backyard trees...

Even though most people have packed away their Christmas decorations...I always leave mine out and lit until New Year's Day. J & I both have large families so Christmas lasts awhile for us...this year his side will celebrate tomorrow and mine has extended the season into January so we still have gifts under our tree yet. I really enjoy the lit backyard trees and especially the gazebo one where I scatter food for the birds & rabbits. Here is a little junco enjoying it...
and a lone mourning dove. I have never seen one around here this late in the season but I have seen this guy for a week now.
Once I shut these lights off in a few days...I'll spend the next 4-5 months wishing that the backyard was not so barren and back to looking like this....

"Every gardener knows that under the cloak of winter lies a miracle. . .a seed waiting to sprout, a bulb opening to the light, a bud straining to unfurl. And the anticipation nurtures our dream".
(Barbara Winkler)

Yeah, my brain was thinking more clearly this morning and I figured out out to recapture the old counter...

a new look...

"Just because everything is different doesn't mean anything has changed." (Irene Peter)
With the new year just a few days away I am feeling a need for change so I thought I would try a new look on the blog page...what do you think? I have started reading many fun blogs this year after discovering them through some of your comments. I am also finding out that maybe I am not up to par on "blog etiquette" so with the new look comes a new resolve to respond to all comments. If you comment in the "comments" I will respond there and if you email me...I'll respond from there. At least, I am sure going to try. Maybe...I'll feel the need for change again soon and we'll be back to a green background...who knows...but sometimes change is good because as an unknown author once said... "If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies".

Live life to the fullest...

Yesterday is history, Tomorrow is a mystery...but today is a Gift
that is why it is called the "Present".

These little vintage Napco girls are dated the year of my birth. Today, is my birthday and I spent it at my brother-in-law's funeral who died much too young. The day has been one of reflecting on life and all that is precious in it. Life is short and every day is truly a "gift" and should be lived to the fullest...I found the following passage and would like to share with all of you...such good advice.

Always Live Life to the Fullest

Don't let go of hope,
Hope gives you the strength to keep going
When you feel like giving up.

Don't ever quit believing in yourself,
As long as you believe you can,
You will have reason for trying.

Don't let anyone hold your happiness in their hands,
Hold it in yours, so it will always be within your reach.

Don't measure success or failure by material wealth,
But by how you feel,
Our feelings determine the richness of our lives.

Don't let bad moments overcome you,
Be patient, and they will pass.

Don't hesitate to reach out for help;
We all need it from time to time.

Don't run away from love but towards love,
Because it is your deepest joy.

Don't wait for what you want to come to you.
Go after it with all that you are,
Knowing that life will meet you halfway.

Don't feel like you've lost,
When plans and dreams fall short of your hopes.
Anytime you learn something new,
About yourself or about life,
You have progressed

Don't do anything that takes away,
From your self-respect.
Feeling good about yourself
Is essential to feeling good about life.

Don't ever forget how to laugh,
Or be too proud to cry,
Or too stubborn to smile.

Don't ever forget a friend who truly loves you,
As it could be that friend who is true to your needs.
Don't ever forget who helped you grow as your need
for more seeds may often re-appear.

With all the above, live life to it's fullest....
(Author Unknown)

This Christmas Day...

God Bless You on this Christmas Day
With happiness supreme
And may you gather all the gifts
Of which you ever dream
May all your friends remember you
With sentiment sincere
To add a world of pleasure and
To multiply your cheer
God bless you with the courage to
Pursue each noble guest
And grant this golden Yule will be
By far your happiest
May all the ornaments and lights
Upon the Christmas tree
Reflect the peace and comfort of
Your loving family
May every moment of your life
Seem wonderful and new
And in the year a week away
May all your dreams come true
(James Metcalfe)

Wishing a Blessed Christmas to all my faithful readers. It is amazing to me to watch the counter increase day by day...I know I have a big family but didn't realize how many new friends I would make through this blog. I thank you for checking in and wish you peace and joy this Christmas and a Happy & Healthy New Year!

Day before Christmas...

We have been helping
with the cake
And licking out the pan
And wrapping up
our packages
As neatly as we can.
We have hung our
stockings up
Beside the open grate.
And now there's nothing more to do
Except
To
Wait

Christmas in Heaven...

I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below
With tiny lights, like Heaven’s stars reflecting on the snow.

The sight is so spectacular, please wipe away that tear,
For I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear
But the sounds of music can’t compare with the Christmas choir up here.

I have no words to tell you of the joy their voices bring,
For it is beyond description to hear the angels sing.

I know how much you miss me, I see the pain inside your heart
for I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

I can’t tell you of the splendor or the peace here in this place
Can you just imagine Christmas with our Savior face to face?

I’ll ask Him to lift your spirit as I tell Him of your love
so then pray for one another as you lift your eyes above.

Please let your hearts be joyful and let your spirits sing
for I am spending Christmas in Heaven and I’m walking with the King.
(author unknown)

In memory of Ron
1951 - 2007

December sunrise...

Yes, I said sunrise...this morning's sunrise looked more like a moonrise than any other sunrise I've ever seen. While it was not spectactular like this one in November, it certainly was beautiful and unique. Around 8:10 this morning I happened to look out and see this big ball of pink rising above the foggy horizon.
A few minutes later it was a beautiful pink/orange ball in a sea of gray.


By 8:15 it was above the fog and brightened into yellow and soon blurred into bright sunlight. Not the usual sunrise but what a beautiful sight.

"Today, give a stranger one of your smiles. It might be the only sunshine he sees all day." (Author Unknown)