Sensiba State Wildlife Area and the Search for Yellow-Headed Blackbirds

We've been really interested in the Wisconsin section of the Brown County Library lately. There's something exciting about reading books specific to your local area; it's nice to find out what experts think about areas you've overlooked only a stone's throw away.

Well, Luke was reading about birds in Wisconsin and Minnesota, and specifically he found out about yellow-headed blackbirds. Of course, most people are familiar with red-winged blackbirds, their populous, slightly smaller, and less awkward relatives. However, everyone I talked to had either never heard of yellow-headed blackbirds, or (in case of older generations) had seem them when they were kids some 30+ years ago.

The book recommended Sensiba State Wildlife Area in Suamico, WI, as an ideal place to find these birds.

Luke and I like marshes (you may remember my previous blog post about the Oconto Marsh). They're the perfect places to visit if you only have a little bit of time but want to see a wide variety of wildlife. In this case, the yellow-headed blackbirds like the security of the deeper marshes, and they kick out the red-winged blackbirds to the perimeter of the marsh.

My favorite bird watchers

Okay, so what makes these birds especially interesting? Their crazy bird call. It's a metallic, grating, strange, and a little pathetic, really, but it's an awesome and unique sound to hear. It sounds a bit like a parrot imitating a squeaky screen door. It also does this harsh "buzz saw" noise as well. Either way, it's not pretty, but it's unique.

I was able to get a video of them, though I couldn't get as close as I really wanted to. The sound quality isn't the best, but you should be able to hear the call as well. Please excuse my excited whispers and Grace's commentary. :)

I was pretty excited to upload my first YouTube video. Yup, call me tech-savvy! I've joined 2001 (or whenever YouTube was created). Maybe I'll even join Twitter and Instagram someday, heh.

Although the head looks a little more golden-orange in this picture,
it was about as close as we could get.

If you look closely, you can see that there are two yellow-headed blackbirds in this picture.
One is in the middle near the water, and the other is toward the upper left (click on the picture to enlarge).

We had such a lovely day watching these birds and enjoying the perfect weather! Hope you get a chance to get out and enjoy nature in the next week as well.

"Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your Heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

~Matthew 6:26

~Jen

10 Early Signs that Spring has Come to Wisconsin

Ashwaubenon Creek at the De Pere Preserve is losing its ice.
Here comes spring!

Lately I've been reading Wild Wisconsin Notebook by James Buchholz, a 20-year park ranger and DNR Superintendent. His collection of essays is grouped by month, and it’s been especially fun to read about the upcoming changes in March, April, and May. It has me very excited for warmer weather!

If you get a chance to go for a walk in the next week or two, keep your eyes out for some of these early spring changes.  These encouraging plants and critters are some of the earliest indicators that spring has sprung in Northeast Wisconsin.

10 Early Signs that Spring has Come to Wisconsin

Geese: I've already heard one or two flocks honking around. Pretty soon they’ll be lots more on their way. Before you know it, they’ll be staking out nesting grounds and getting grumpy and territorial.

Skunk Cabbage: I’ll be honest- I’d never heard of this. However, this is apparently a very common plant that is able to survive the frosty nights of early spring. When squeezed, the leaves emit an unpleasant smell (hence the name). The most amazing thing about this plant, though, is that despite the outside temperatures, skunk cabbage is able to maintain a 70 degree “body” heat, melting the snow around it. I’m thinking I’ll need to bring along a thermometer on my next hike to check this out.

Skunk Cabbage

Photo Credit

Pussy Willow: Each year, I can’t resist bringing some inside to put in a vase. And each year, Sunny tears them apart. It’s one of the few plants that the DNR doesn't seem to mind you trimming (according to Buchholz), as long as you don’t take too much from one plant. When cut responsibly, it prunes the plant and helps it grow even better. If you put the branches in a vase and wait long enough, you’ll be rewarded with yellow flowers from the fuzzy buds.

Mourning Cloaks: This is one that was new to me, too. Buchholz described that the butterflies like to drink tree sap, so they can be found even if the snow hasn't completely melted.  

Mourning Cloak

Photo Credit

Robins: Apparently, 2% of robins stay in Wisconsin year round; therefore, this isn't always a reliable spring signal. However, when you start to see more than one bobbing for worms, you know that winter is finally releasing its grip.

Bees:  You’ll spy a few of these out and about not long after the weather is reliably above freezing.

Crocus

Photo Credit

Magnolias: All right- so these come a little later; it’s one of the first trees to flower.  I had to include them, though, because they always surprise me with how soon they produce flowers.

Crocus: My favorite early spring flower. I love the beautiful purple poking up from the ground. These, along with daffodils, give a great first splash of color.

Steelhead: I’ve written in the past about the fisheries facility in Kewaunee. Luke and I will be going there again soon, as watching the steelhead spawn is a spectacular (and free!) show. They run before walleye, suckers, and sturgeon, and it’s great to see them up close at the fish ladder.

Red-Winged Blackbirds: Some people love them and some people hate them, but their unique song is a sure sign of warmer weather. I went for a hike yesterday at The Preserve in De Pere and heard a few already.

Of course, there were many other items that could have been included on this list: maple sap running, gall flies, hyacinths, snow fleas, sandhill cranes, and turkey vultures to name a few. The changes will come quickly and often in the coming weeks; keep your eyes peeled!

"Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created; and thou renewest the face of the earth." 

Psalm 104:10

Happy Spring!

Jen

Wildlife Sanctuary: Winter Edition

Yes, it's still winter. Although many of us are sighing for spring, it just doesn't seem to be coming any time soon.

With another arctic blast scheduled for next week, we took advantage of the sunny weather and 19 degree day. We visited the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary, planning to spend our time indoors rather than outside.

A massive welcoming committee greeted us in the parking lot.

And when we went towards the building, they followed behind.

We left them behind at the doors. I don't think the staff would have 

appreciated us letting them in to warm their beaks.



Once inside, we got to see some unique and interesting critters while staying warm at the same time. As we sipped our coffees (and Grace snacked on string cheese), we wandered through the building and met some great new friends.

Northern Saw Whet Owl

Eastern Screech Owl.

He looked perfectly healthy until he turned his head...

...and then it was obvious why he was there.

A staring contest with a toad.

Eastern blue bird

Green heron- 

Though they are common in Northeast Wisconsin,

 this was the first time I'd seen one.

After finishing our coffee, we  braved the cold for a while and fed the birds. We saw several species of ducks, as well as a few particularly sociable geese. Grace had the time of her life feeding the birds, and they were VERY happy for every corn kernel they received.

A single, solitary goldeneye duck.

A black duck. You can differentiate this from a female (hen) mallard by its beak and head. It has a plain yellow beak and a sharp black stripe across its head. Its color is darker as well.

A hen mallard. Note the darker bill, lighter feather color, and blue stripe by its wings.

A beautiful drake mallard.

If you're brave, the ducks and geese will eat right out of your hand.

Don't worry- it doesn't hurt a bit. :)

We also visited snakes, frogs, guinea pigs, bats, pigeons, mice, boas, bass, and sunfish- all without visiting the wolf/animal building or the birds of prey section. It's such a great (and free!) resource for indoor and outdoor nature experiences.

Plus, it's so great to see the injured animals that are being helped, healed, and cared for by volunteers. You can't help but feel sympathy for these animals, being nurtured during the lowest point in their lives. Without human intervention, they would most likely have died in the wild. If they hadn't been brought to the sanctuary, they would have stayed hurt, alone, and hopelessly lost.

Without God's intervention in our lives, we are in that same position. Sin has crippled us, maimed us- scarred us in some way. There isn't a person alive who doesn't look back on their past without some level of regret or pain. We all make mistakes, but those mistakes don't have to be our downfall.

You may feel God has forgotten you. Perhaps this is the lowest point in your life, or you're at a point that is beyond fixing. But you were created by a God that is far wiser and more knowledgeable than you; He can heal your broken leg or injured wing. Or, you can stay alone in the woods, trying to cure the situation yourself. Help is available for you- it's just a matter of whether or not you will choose to access the resource you need.

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with stripes we are healed. -Isaiah 53:5

Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise. -Jeremiah 17:14



Healed by Him,

Jen

New Year's Resolutions

It's probably (okay- definitely) cliché, but I've been thinking and planning on some goals for the upcoming new year. 2013 flew by in such a rush, and I know that 2014 is going to be another wild ride, especially with our new little one coming around July 1st.

In thinking about new year resolutions, I keep remembering the hymn "I am Resolved." It's an excellent reminder of where our life's focus should primarily be.

 

I am resolved no longer to linger

Charmed by the world's delight;

Things that are higher, things that are nobler-

These have allured my sight.

I am resolved to follow the Savior,

Faithful and true each day;

Heed what he sayeth, do what He willeth-

He is the living way.

 

It's so easy to set goals, and then give up on them by the time February or March comes around. I've read that it's especially easy to set these goals aside if you don't share them. If you talk about a goal, write it down, and have at least one accountability partner, you'll increase your rate of success exponentially.

 

2014 Goals

*Read the Bible in a Year

This shouldn't be such a challenge for me, but it is. By reading an average of 4 chapters a day, you can read the Bible through in a year. However, more often than I care to admit, I end up reading one or two chapters while I put Grace down for a nap, and that's my Bible reading for the day. I've read the Bible through, but I've never have the necessary self-discipline to complete this in a year.

 

*Run (and Sometimes Walk) 200 Miles

That number, at first glance, seems crazy high to me. And, when I add in the fact that I'm going to have a baby in July, I'm not sure it will be accomplished. However, when I break it down, that averages into 3.8 miles per week. In one run, I usually go between 3-5 miles. Therefore, as long as I stay focused (and don't mind walking more than running as I get further along in pregnancy), it should be very doable.

*More Writing

I'm not sure exactly how this goal will look, as it's one I'm still ruminating on. However, lately I've been writing more poems and articles, and it's been a major source of creativity and enjoyment. So, I'd like to continue with that.

*Once a Month Blog Post

Pretty self-explanatory. I don't want to forget about this little blog, even if I'm not on here much!

 

*Eat More Chocolate. And Sushi (after July). And Turkey/Avocado Sandwiches.

Okay, maybe that last one is just me having some cravings. It is lunchtime, after all.

I am resolved, and who will go with me?

Come friends, without delay;

Taught by the Bible, led by the Spirit,

We'll walk the heavenly way.

 

 

What are you resolving to do in 2014?

Sobieski Area Featured on National Geographic Web Site

Check out this article, posted by the Shedd Aquarium, that discusses a unique situation with migrating fish near Brown Road in Sobieski.

You can read it here.

It's not very often that a tiny town like Sobieski gets featured nationally!

The Mountain Top and the Forest Floor

Well, Fall is definitely upon us! Tomorrow, Luke and I will be taking our annual trip up North to get pumpkins, but I wanted to post pictures from an earlier up-north excursion before I forget about it.

 The following post was actually written about a month ago; I forgot to add the pictures, and never got around to publishing it. Enjoy!
_______________________________________________

In mid-September, Luke, Grace, and I, along with our good friends Paul and Judy, took a trek up north to spend some time in the comfortable, 60-degreeish weather. We were looking for an abandoned fire tower near Mountain, WI, where we were going to pick beech nuts. I'd never tried them before, and we'd read that they were both nutritious and delicious.

Well, instead of finding the abandoned tower, we found one that, while no longer in use, was still climbable. I strapped Grace into her carrier, and UP WE WENT! The flights of rickety, narrow steps definitely got our hearts pounding (literally! It was a big climb). The gorgeous sight at the top was well worth it, though.

The first hint of changing colors!

 

 

 

 

McCaslin Mountain, several miles away.

 

After that, the day was still young. We stopped for a quick picnic, and went on to check out Anderson Lake. Paul had been there as a child, and he wanted to see how the water levels and such had changed. Turns out, not much has!

 

Anderson Lake on a bright, early autumn day

 

 

Of course, a day up north isn't complete without SOME sort of wildlife. I found the tiniest little photogenic frog.

 

 

 

We finished off our afternoon with a wonderful hike. There were lots of wintergreen berries out, so we had a fun time chewing on the leaves and enjoying the minty-fresh berries.

 

A wintergreen berry up close. Beats gum any day!

 

Wintergreen, fresh off the plant.

 

So many wintergreen leaves along this little trail.



 



It would have been so easy to keep our eyes on the trail in a rush to finish before daylight faded; yet if we had, we would have missed out on an awesome opportunity to collect and enjoy the wintergreen.

 

John 4:35 says, "Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest."

 

It is so easy to look straight ahead in life, focused on our own goals, responsibilities, and priorities. But when we do that, we miss out on so much! There are struggling people ALL around us, in need of prayer and compassion. Most of all, they are in need of finding out how to have a true and complete relationship with God.

 

I need to train my eyes to "look on the fields" and see those struggling souls.

 

Otherwise, I'm walking down a trail, but I'm missing out on the beauty. joy, and purpose of the hike.

 

~Jen





Her Father's Arms (Or- Grace at the Beach)

 Several weeks ago, in the middle of a heat wave, Luke had a day off of work. We celebrated by trekking up to Door County. We thought we would take advantage of the 94 degree day by cooling off at Whitefish Dunes. Well, we did get to cool off; the water was definitely cold. We took a few baby steps in, waited a couple minutes, then went a bit deeper.

We were especially looking forward to Grace's reaction, though. She had never been to a big beach before, and we thought she would love it.

Boy, were we wrong. Anytime she was lowered near the water, she started crying. We knew it wasn't the temperature, because she liked having her feet in the freezing water near the shore. She was just scared. The enormity of the water, along with the depth and the waves, must have just been too much for her little self to handle.

 

 

So, Luke held her above the water, wading around while I went swimming. Watching Grace feel strong and secure in her dad's arms, I couldn't help but feel how much that mirrors our relationship with God. We all go through times in life where our circumstances are scary and overwhelming. Yet even when God takes us into a dangerous place, His strong arms hold us secure. Grace trusted Luke so completely, and she was so happy as long as he was holding her. It's so important to remember that we can always trust our Heavenly Father's love as well!

 

"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."

~Isaiah 41:10

Then a storm rolled in, so we took some time to check out the nature center. After the rain, we went for a stroll along the trail at Whitefish Dunes. We saw some beautiful flowers and ferns!

Along the trail at Whitefish Dunes.

Bluebells at Whitefish Dunes

(Identified thanks to the UW-Stevens Point Wildflower Identification Guide- Love it!)

 

 After that we hopped into our car for a quick two-minute ride to Cave Point. It was gorgeous, and the passing storm had created a breathtaking sky and atmosphere. The temperature had dropped about 20 degrees as well, so that made it the perfect temperature for exploring.

Cave Point, just after the storm.

 

 

Looking at minnows and crawfish in the clear water.

Walking -very carefully- near the edge.