2/28/10 MORE OR LESS

SNOW CLOUDS
A DUBIOUS ROAD

Sunday, 8:00 AM. 29 degrees, wind NE, light but picking up. The sky is rather ominous, overcast and with dark clouds in the east. The barometer predicts snow.
The big news is that the ice road is open, more or less. There is a trail around the big soft spot off the landing and I hear one must be careful negotiating the pressure ridge, but the road is in use.
Yesterday I saw a flock of a dozen or so mallards, drakes and hens, in open water on Pike’s creek just downstream from the Hw. 13 bridge. I don’t know if they were here all winter or are early arrivals. They flew before I could get a decent photo. They are another sign of spring, more or less.

2/26/10 SALT DAMAGE

BEATIFuL MARE'S TAIL CLOUDS
DIEING WHITE PINE
DEAD PINES

Saturday, 9:00 AM. 31 degrees, up 5 degrees from earlier. Wind NNE, mostly calm but picking up. The sky is overcast n the east, with some beautiful mare’s tail clouds overhead. The barometer predicts snow.
One of the most prevalent problems with conifers, and some deciduous trees and shrubs as well, is damage from road salt. These white pines along Hwy 13 south of Bayfield are dead or dieing from salt spray carried from the highway on prevailing winds. Some species are naturally more tolerant, such as Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestrus) because they adapted to ocean spray in their native environment. Reducing the use of road salt, within safety tolerances, or using less damaging formulations should be an environmental priority for states and municipalities, not only to protect vegetation but also to reduce salt runoff into streams and lakes.

2/26/10 MORE "PERFECT TENS"

A BLUE SKY DAY
A "PERFECT TEN" PAPER BIRCH
THE BRONZE BIRCH BORER AT WORK

A "PERFECT TEN" PAIR OF PURPLE FINCHES

Friday, 7:45 AM. 17 degrees, up from 13 degrees at 7:00 AM. Wind W, calm. The sky is mostly cloudless and the barometer predicts snow.
The triple-trunked paper birch (Betula paperifera) pictured is another “perfect ten” tree. These beautiful trees, so iconic of the North and which virtually everyone wants in their home landscape, are native to cool, moist, snowy areas of the Great Lakes and similar northern environments, and usually languish and die after some years if not properly located and cared for. In nature they are sometimes found far out of their native range, left behind as relict populations by the retreating glaciers. I know of one such location along the north facing banks of the Niobrara River in the treeless Sand Hills of Nebraska.
In the man-made landscape they need their native conditions, and their roots must be kept cool, mulched and shaded by lower branches and surrounding tall grasses and shrubs. Otherwise, in their weakened condition, they will fall prey to the ever present bronze birch borer and end up like the second tree pictured. Some years ago a misguided landscape architect planted a veritable phalanx of paper birch trees against the south-facing wall of a steel and glass skyscraper in lower Manhattan. Their appearance was quite dramatic, and I am sure they are now quite dead.
We have had a lot of purple finches at the feeders this winter, and these two are obviously paired up, another sign of spring.

2/25/10 HANGING ON

WINTER IS HANGING ON
APPLES ARE HANGING ON
WHITEOUT AT THE BEACH

Thursday, 8:15 AM. 17 degrees, up several degrees from earlier. Wind N, light. The sky is partly cloudy (mostly in the east) and the barometer predicts the same. A few large snowflakes are falling.
Winter is hanging on, in spite of indications of spring. Apples, crab apples and many other fruits still cling to their branches, the last evidence of a very fruitful season. All fruit would usually have been consumed or have fallen by now.

2/24/10 REJOICE! ( I tell myself)

A COLD AND SNOWY DAY

Wednesday, 8:15 AM. 13 degrees, up from 10 degrees. Wind NE, and it is snowing. We have about 3” of new snow but the barometer predicts sunshine.
My first thoughts regarding the morning’s cold and snow was, “enough already.” But the air was so exhilarating, and the snow so fresh and clean, that after some shoveling and a quiet walk on the snow-muffled roads my attitude changed to at least acquiescence if not actual enthusiasm, and I found myself intoning the Old Testament mantra, “this is the day that the Lord hath made; let us be glad, and rejoice in it.”

2/23/10 LOVE IS IN THE AIR

LAKE EFFECT SNOW IS FALLING

Tuesday, 8:00 AM. 21 degrees, wind W, calm. The sky is overcast and lake effect snow has begun to fall. The barometer predicts snow.
As we left the house this morning something in the sky caught my eye. I could barely make out the three eagles, soaring together in tight circles perhaps 1,000 feet or more up, impossible for me to photograph. I watched for several minutes until they at last drifted out of sight. This is mating season for them and I assume I was watching a ritual of some sort. They were either a “ménage 'a trios” or someone was bound to be left out. Probably the later. Anyway, love is in the air.

2/23/10 A "PERFECT TEN" TREE ON A LESS THAN PERFECT DAY

A GRAY DA Y
A "PERFECT TEN" RED OAK

Monday, 7:45 AM. 24 degrees,wind W, calm. The sky is overcast and the barometer predicts precipitation.,
From time to time I take photos of what I consider a “perfect ten” tree of its species, to give an idea of its size and shape in its prime. Pictured is a northern red oak, Quercus rubra, one of the dominant trees of our northern forests and an excellent landscape tree if given sufficient room. When young it prefers light shade or full sun, and a slightly acidic soil with medium moisture and fertility conditions. It makes a good street tree except although some may consider the acorns bothersome.
We are off to Ashland this morning to get H1N1 flue shots.

2/22/10 MISTY ISLES AND BURSTING BUDS

MADELINE ISLAND EMERGES FROM THE FOG
HALF AN ICE ROAD IS BETTER THAN NONE
ASPEN FLOWER BUDS ARE BURSTING OPEN

Sunday, 8:15 AM. 17 degrees, wind W, calm. The sky is cobalt blue, except for the usual band of clouds in the east. The barometer predicts snow but I think not. A misty Madeline Island emerges from the fog as the sun rises.
The ice road is partially open, vehicles from the Island being driven to the weak spots about 100 yards off the Bayfield shore and folks walking the rest of the way to town, or to a second vehicle parked at the ferry dock. The wind sled of course is also running.
The aspens are actually beginning to bloom, their fuzzy catkins bursting through the bud scales.

2/21/10 GOOSE DOWN CLOUDS AND SWELLING BUDS

GOOSE DOWN CLOUDS
SWELLING MAPLE BUDS
Saturday, 8:00 AM. 18.5 degrees, but much colder earlier. Wind W, calm. The sky is mostly clear but with very high white clouds that look like goose down. The barometer predicts partly cloudy skies.
Birch buds are swelling, and sugar maple buds are noticeable now, even from a distance. The chickadees are becoming quite vocal.

2/19/10 A NICE MORNNG AFTER A NICE EVENING

THE SUN ALSO RISES (further and further north)
Friday, 8:00 AM. 20 degrees, wind W, calm. The sky is blue except for some high, wispy white clouds. The barometer predicts partly cloudy skies. The rising sun has now moved north enough to shine through the Carlson’s big white pines rather than across the channel ice, and is doing a pretty good job of melting ice from roads and roofs.
Yesterday evening we attended a Chamber of Commerce get-together at the new Stage North theater building. It is an impressive little facility, that features local acting and musical talent, and classic movies all at very reasonable prices. Rachellis’ Deli, a family business located just north of Washburn on Hwy. 13 provided the excellent food.

2/18/10 ICE CAVES...THERE'S ALWAYS NEXT YEAR

ROUGH, MELTING ICE AND LOTS OF OPEN WATER
DON'T EVEN TRY
GOT THERE LAST YEAR

8:00 AM. 25.5 degrees, wind W, very light. The sky is cloudless and the barometer predicts partly cloudy skies. It is a gorgeous winter day .
Wanting to do something for Joan’s birthday yesterday, we took Hwy 13 west along the shore, through Cornucopia and stopping for lunch at a little bar and grill, Woody’s, in Herbster. The fare was limited but good, and inexpensive. We continued on to Port Wing, and drove the back roads along the Flag River. The deer were moving yesterday and we saw several, and just west of Cornucopia on the way back we saw three large turkeys on the side of the road, but I wasn’t quick enough to get a photo before they flew off. I think this is the first time I have seen turkeys north of Hwy 2.
We stopped at Myer’s Beach to check the condition of the ice caves and they are not accessible by walking along the shoreline. There is a land trail but I don't think one can see much from it and it would be pretty certain death to climb down the cliffs to get to the caves. There is a lot of open water all along the south shore, and with the sun as high as it is that’s it for the ice caves this winter. But, there’s always next year.

2/17/10 HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

A DULL DAY...becomes...
BRIGHT AND SUNNY!

Wednesday, 7:30 AM. 28.5 degrees, wind WNW, light with stronger gusts. The sky is overcast and the barometer predicts snow, bt I think it is too dry to do so, and the sky is clearing as I watch.
It is Joan’s birthday so we will try to find some little thing to do or somewhere to go later in the day. Happy Birthday!

2/16/10 TRACKS AND SHADOWS

WIND CONTORTED CLOUDS
SQUIRREL TRACKS ON A BLUSTERY MORNING

Tuesday, 8:10 AM. 24 degrees, wind W, very strong, at times gale force. The sky is clear except for some wind contorted clouds over the lake. It is a pretty day but very blustery, at times blowing the finches right off the feeders.
Squirrel tracks and shadows created interesting patterns on the fresh snow this morning.

2/15/10 WITH A MOUNTAIN OR TWO WE COULD HOST THE WINTER OLYMPICS!

ENOUGH!
Monday, 8:15 AM. 22.5 degrees, wind W, light but picking up. The sky is overcast, there is fog around the Island, we have 5” of new snow and a few dime-sized flakes are floating down. The barometer predicts more. We have plenty of snow, and it won’t melt for another month or two.
We could hold a winter Olympics in Bayfield, if only we had a real mountain or two.
The pileated woodpeckers are declaring their territories by drumming on tree trunks and telephone poles this morning, and I hear lots of different woodpecker vocalizations.

2/14/10 WHAT A LUCKY GAL!

MORNING AT THE BEACH
WHAT A THOUGHTFUL GUY!
LOOKING UPSTREAM
LOOKING DOWNSTREAM

9:15 AM. 19 degrees, wind W, moderate with stronger gusts. The sky is mostly overcast but the barometer is up, and it appears we have a little “Alberta Clipper” coming.
Lucky and I went to the beach early, and then to the Washburn IGA to buy a dozen roses. Wedding anniversary, Valentine’s Day and Joan’s birthday all come together around this time and particularly since I forgot the anniversary, I thought roses most appropriate at this juncture. What a thoughtful guy ! What a lucky gal!
The Big Rock on the Sioux photos were taken a week ago.

2/13/10 THE BIG DOG RUNS THE ROAD

ICE ROAD STILL CLOSED TO VEHICLES
FRONT VIEW
SIDE VIEW
THE BUSINESS END
THESE BABIES WILL WARM THE HEART OF ANY HOT RODDER

Saturday, 8:15 AM. 19.5 degrees, up from 14 earlier Except for some haze in the east, it is an exact repeat of yesterday morning. The barometer still predicts snow but I would guess maybe by Monday.
The big red wind sled, Ice Angle IV, is running the ice road now. It’s quite a machine, powered by two huge Chevrolet V8’s. When I first dated her, Joan had a red and white ’57 Chevy hard top. It’s a good thing she didn’t have one of these devil’s in it, as she got enough speeding tickets with the 283 cubic inch engine.

2/12/10 ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER (or at least to the UP)

A CLOUDLESS, BRIGHT, COLD MORNING

Friday, 7:45 AM. 11 degrees, but much colder last night. Wind W, calm. The sky is completely cloudless except for a few thin white clouds on the eastern horizon, and one can see over Madeline Island all the way to the UP. The barometer predicts snow but I doubt we will get any for days. It was a nippy walk and the birds are voracious at the feeders.
Yesterday a female purple finch flew into the glass patio door and was knocked out. We brought her in and warmed her up, and she quickly came to. We put her back outside and after a few minutes orientation she flew off.
I am busy with landscape plans for spring work and am concentrating on that task for a few day s.

2/11/10 HEMLOCK MEMORIES

A CRISP, SUNNY WINTER DAY
THE MOTHER HEMLOCK
YOUNG HEMLOCKS

Thursday, 8:15 AM. 12 degrees, although it got much colder during the night. Wind NNW, calm. The sky is mostly blue and everything sparkles in the bright sunshine. The barometer predicts snow but I think it is a very weak low. A satisfying “crunch” emanated from the icy roads as we walked this morning.
Eastern hemlock, Tsuga canadensis, is a large, often dominant tree of the Great Lakes region, Ontario, Quebec, New England and New York. Bayfield is on the western edge of its natural range. In nature hemlocks require cool, damp sites and lots of snow, and they do not reproduce well without those conditions. These young trees are growing on the banks of a conservancy ravine on 8th and Rittenhouse Ave. The mother tree is at the top of the south side of the ravine.
As incongruous as it may seem, there is a large natural forest of hemlocks along the dells of the Bronx River in the New York Botanical Garden. When I first walked it thirty-five years ago it was still beautiful, although it was no longer reproducing seedlings. It offered a true refuge from what was the chaos of the Bronx at that time. I do not know what the condition of The Hemlock Forest is today, but the recent heavy snows will be welcome to it, and I wish it well.

2/10/10 WAITING...

THE SUN IS NOTICEABLY HIGHER
AND RED MAPLE BUDS ARE SWELLING

Wednesday, 8:15 AM. 19.5 degrees, up 2 degrees from earlier. Wind N, calm. The sky is blue except for clouds on the eastern horizon, the tail end of the big eastern storm. The sun is noticeably higher in the sky now.
We had several days of really wintry weather but it looks like we are getting a break, with the barometer on the upswing. Us old dogs (human as well as canine) had aches and pains for days from the high humidity and low air pressure, but we are all pretty frisky this morning.
The longer days are beginning to have some subtle effects on vegetation and landscape; the red maple buds are beginning to swell, and the aspen groves have a fresh, gray-green cast when viewed from a distance (hard to catch in a photo). We are getting the faintest hints of changing seasons, even as we wait for the ice road to open.

2/09/10 BUT NOW IT'S DIET TIME

A SNOWY MORNING
ANDY GOING DOWN FOR THE THIRD TIME IN LITTLE SAND BAY (JUST KIDDING)
DOG SLED RIDES ON THE LAKE
RYDER DOG SLED ADVENTURES

Tuesday, 8:30 AM. 22 degrees, wind NW, light. There is fog and lake snow over the Island. We got about 5” of snow last night, and the barometer says more is on the way.
One last blog about the dogsled races. The Chamber reports several hundred spectators but I think more, and forty volunteers, who were very pleased with the experience. On Saturday and Sunday Ryder’s Dog Sled Adventures offered dog sled rides on a two mile course on the lake. They were very busy on Saturday and did O.K. on Sunday. He had two sleds and teams, and I saw customers driving the second sled. A very nice addition to the weekend race activities.
Andy and Judy drove back to Cedarburg in snow but called to say they got home O.K. We had a great weekend, but now its diet time.

2/08/10 BARKS, YELPS AND HOWLS

DOGS, DOGS EVERYWHERE
HERE'S WHERE IT ALL STARTS
A REALLY BIG DOG TRAILER
A BEAUTIFUL MATCHED TEAM
PLENTY FOR KIDS TO DO IF THEY TIRE OF DOGS
OUT OF THE CHUTE!
FOUR DOGS ARE PLENTY IF YOU ARE NINE YEARS OLD
THE LITTLEST MUSHER
Monday, 9:30 AM. 23.5 degrees, wind SW, light. It is quite foggy and there is considerable fine lake effect snow falling, but the barometer predicts sunshine.
Yesterday we all went to the starting point of the dog sled races at the old gravel pit on Hwy 13 and Echo Valley road. This is where the fun begins at 10:00 AM on both race days. The hay bale starting chute is where all classes of races get organized and leave for the woodland trails; eight dog, six dog, sportsman, family, youth. Many volunteers are needed to help harness the dogs and get them into the starting lineup. These dogs live to race and are very hard to restrain. If not held firmly they become hopelessly tangled, jumping over each other in their obvious eagerness to run. It is a real workout to control these animals, but also a great deal of fun. Once ready, they are off at the count of three, when everyone lets go and gets out of the way. The power, speed and sheer enthusiasm of the dogs is amazing. These are timed races, and all classes of racers start here and return after their runs, which are as far as forty miles (80 in two days for the eight dog teams). If conditions are good the dogs can average fifteen miles per hour, a thrilling speed on narrow woodland trails. The dogs are barely controlled by voice command, there is no steering mechanism other than that of the driver shifting his weight from foot to foot or standing on the drag brake. Gee, haw, whoa, and mush help the process but pretty much the dogs just run the trail as fast as they can, and will try to pass a slower team (they know it’s a race) if they encounter one. I find the kids, boys and girls as young as eight, the most compelling mushers, as they urge their dogs on while hanging on for dear life. The entire sled dog racing experience is one of joyful, barely controlled chaos, enveloped in a cacophony of barks, yelps and howls.