fwren's Xanga

Monday, November 09, 2009

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:20:45 GMT

Outside my window today, I caught a glimpse of this ~ what could be
at my suet feeder? I have noticed increased traffic at the feeders the last couple
of days and am wondering why that is ~ since the weather is so nice.

Could it really be a little wren?

I’m not sure I’ve ever seen one eating suet before.

It always startles me a bit to see wrens at the feeders,

since they normally eat insects and spiders.

But, I love it ~ wrens are about my favorite birds.

This is a Carolina Wren.

I have tons of work to get done this week and not as much time as I would like

to get it all finished, but when I saw this little guy, he distracted me

from my to-do list ~ I had to go get my camera ~ happily.

I wish he would have stayed longer ~ maybe he will return tomorrow.

Another break in all this cleaning would be rather welcome ~ especially

if it means another visit from my little “fwren” ~

“The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them

that have pleasure therein. His work is honourable and glorious;

and His righteousness endureth for ever.”

Psalm 111:3-4

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 01:20:46 GMT

part five

After the gorgeous sunset we witnessed on our last night in Munising and

a great night’s sleep, we got up early to leave this beautiful area.

This was the sunrise over the bay; I love the shot

with the tiny sliver of a moon riding high in the early morning sky.

After supper the night before, we drove a bit west to see the Au Train Falls.

~ Au Train Bay ~

On our departure day, we hiked six tenths of a mile back into the woods to see

Miners Falls. The path was well tended and so pretty in the morning light.

This was our first glimpse of the waterfall from the upper viewing area.

~ and the view from the lower deck ~

After trekking back out, we headed east toward Tahquamenon Falls State Park.

By the time we got there, we were in light fog and mist.

This was our first hazy view of the Upper Tahquamenon Falls.

Below are the shots I took as we hiked closer and closer.

This is as close as we could get. Because of the tannins which leach

from the cedar swamps that drain into the river, the resulting brown water

cascading over the falls has given it its nickname ~ Root Beer Falls.

There are even foamy, root beer “suds” floating in the river below the falls.

Four miles downstream, the Lower Tahquamenon Falls is actually

a series of five small waterfalls which flow around an island.

I love the ethereal look of this misty photo ~ we trekked along the wooded riverbank

on a winding boardwalk to reach the edge of the falls on the right-hand side

of this picture. Visitors sometimes row out to the little island to explore.

This sign was tucked into the trees along the path.

Anyone want a glass of this “root beer”?

After leaving the park, we drove toward Whitefish Point which reaches

into Lake Superior on the west side of Whitefish Bay.

White birch trees are everywhere in this area ~ I just love

their shining bark, which sheds into peeling ringlets of silver.

The Whitefish Point Lighthouse is currently being renovated;

it is made of steel to withstand the ferocious storms in the area.

Another sad name for Whitefish Point is the Graveyard of Ships,

because there have been more shipwrecks in this area than in any other

part of the great lake. Hundreds of ships, including the famous

Edmund Fitzgerald, are still resting on the bottom of the lake near

Whitefish Point and also in Whitefish Bay itself.

Horrible storms with hurricane-force winds and mountainous waves

have mercilessly battered numerous vessels over the years.

Whitefish Point is now home to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum;

we were glad we visited it, but it is such a somber place ~ full of haunting memories.

From there we headed home; the leaves were just beginning

to don their autumn coats. As we ate our evening meal,

this black squirrel decided to rest, I guess.

And now it is time for us to do the same. I don’t think I will be posting for awhile,

but you never know, I might change my mind ~ it is just going to get really busy

around here now for the upcoming holiday season, so time on here

is going to have to take a back seat. Till later ~ or whenever it is ~

“And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove!

for then would I fly away, and be at rest.”

Psalm 55:6

TGBTG

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 01:22:03 GMT

part four

On the following day, we took the Shipwreck Tour ~ this boat trip was in

a glass-bottom boat ~ to view 3 of the approximately 1,500 shipwrecks

that lie on the floor of the tempestuous Lake Superior.

This particular ship was the Bermuda ~ it sank in 1870 and now lies

in 26 feet of water. Parts of the ship are only 4 feet beneath the glass

and were clearly visible in the crystal clear green waters.

The Bermuda was a wooden schooner and was loaded with 488 ton of iron ore

when she sank. Some of her crew escaped, but three sailors lost their lives.

On the tour, we passed the old East Channel Lighthouse again.

Our guide told us that at one time, the lighthouse keeper was paid

$400 a year plus benefits, which consisted of 4 cord of firewood.

An adult bald eagle flew overhead when we were on the Pictured Rocks tour,

too far away for a photo, but on this Shipwreck Tour, we saw

an immature bald eagle perched in the top of a tall pine.

The Herman H. Hettler sank in 1926 ~ built in 1890, she was

200 feet long. Seeking shelter from a storm, she slammed onto

a rock reef during heavy snow, when she veered off course.

Her crew escaped in lifeboats, but the Hettler sank the next day during

a northwester with her cargo of 1,100 tons of bulk table salt.

~ the anchor of the Hettler ~

After returning to shore, we sought out more waterfalls.

Tannery Falls is completely unmarked ~ we saw it in our brochure,

but had to inquire of the locals how to find it. We trekked up a steep flight

of crude steps, then traipsed for three quarters of a mile or so

through the forest on a tricky, narrow footpath to seek it out.

I was getting a bit nervous about bears before we finally reached it.

It was so quiet back in there ~ and as we rounded the last bend before the falls,

a great blue heron suddenly took flight, startling us ~ and flew

right in front of us, down the narrow creek bed. I didn’t have

my camera ready to capture the scene ~ we just stood in the

hushed stillness and watched it silently wing down the canyon ~ somehow,

it felt almost prehistoric back in there, the only sound being the cascading water.

A short, well-groomed path leads back to Wagner Falls.

The waters cascade over rock ledges and empty into the Anna River.

Another trek through the woods led us to Memorial Falls ~ a 30-foot

waterfall, which people can walk behind if they are brave enough ~ it is

rather treacherous though, and the signs there warn against it.

That night, we ate at the Bear Trap restaurant . . .

. . . which not only housed a couple of bears in the lobby,

but several other creatures on shelves and walls inside the darkened room.

Come to find out, it was also a bear weigh station ~ this bear had just been shot

by a hunter and was weighed while we were there. I was sure I didn’t want to

confront a live bear, but really wasn’t that crazy about seeing a dead one either.

Back at our motel, bear footprints led to our room.

~ the view of Munising Bay and Grand Island from our little balcony ~

As the sun set that night, this is what we saw . . .

. . . then this . . .

. . . and finally . . . this !!!

God never ceases to amaze me with His astonishing artistry in the

evening skies ~ it was as if He had finger-painted the sky with fire.

“. . . the heavens shall praise Thy wonders, O LORD . . .”

Psalm 89:5

“ . . . the heavens are the work of Thy hands.”

Psalm 102:25

TGBTG

Tuesday, October 06, 2009

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:06:41 GMT

part three

The next formation we saw was called Battleship Point. Since it faces

the northeast, it takes a lot of pounding from Lake Superior ~ the steady

onslaught of waves has formed a sharp point which is nearly 175 feet high.

After we rounded the ‘point’, we were faced with

Battleship Row ~ several points which resemble

the weathered sterns of old sailing vessels.

Next came the Flower Vase . . . which they say is now

better named the Broken Flower Vase.

This is the Indian Drum ~ they told us many think it looks like a bear’s paws.

Our guide said the formation on the right looks like a pirate’s face

and that he is even sporting a tri-cornered hat ~ okay, if you say so!

~ Lower Chapel Falls ~

One of the most interesting sites is Chapel Rock.

A lone tree tenaciously clings to the top of the formation.

At one time, there was a rock bridge from Chapel Rock to the shoreline.

Since the archway collapsed in 1962, the roots from the white pine

still span the opening ~ and the tree survives and lives on.

Since the lake was calm, we were able to drift into this cove;

many days, the lake is too angry to allow this treat.

Our captain took us to within a couple feet of the end ~ whew!

He asked us if we had ever done anything like this before ~ when

everyone answered, “No” ~ he said, “Neither have I !!!”

~ streaks of copper color this cliff face ~

On the late afternoon tour, the tourists are treated to an extra sight.

We were privileged to view Spray Falls plunging 70 feet

over the Pictured Rock cliffs into Lake Superior.

A shipwreck from 1856 lies at the base of the falls

in 20 feet of water ~ the name of the ship was Superior ~ it seems ironic,

somehow, that a ship by that name would sink in a lake named the same.

On the return trip, I took a shot of the bottom of the lake ~ the water

was crystal clear and boulders were plainly visible on the floor of the bay.

Back in Munising, we started searching out the rest of the many waterfalls.

The quarter-mile trail up a shady cool canyon to view Munising Falls

was paved and easy to navigate. This 50-foot waterfall was hubby’s favorite.

I’ll show you more waterfalls next time ~ if I ever get time.

“And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together

unto one place, . . . and the gathering together of the waters

called He Seas: and God saw that it was good.”

Genesis 1:9-10

TGBTG

Monday, September 28, 2009

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 11:47:13 GMT

part two

Continuing on the cruise along the

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore,

we soon drew alongside a section called the Painted Coves.

The coves were a favorite spot for kayakers on that day.

Minerals seeping through the limestone streak the cliffs with vivid

kaleidoscopes of color, shimmering in the late afternoon sun.

The green/blue streaks are copper; the black comes from manganese.

Iron oxide stripes the rock with shades of rust and brown.

Colors ranging from yellow to reddish hues are from limonite.

All of these mingle with the limestone slashes of white, gray and cream

to form brilliantly hued rivulets down the face of the ‘pictured rocks’.

The Caves of the Bloody Chiefs, according to Indian legend,

is the location where Indian chiefs placed prisoners of war and then let the waves

of Lake Superior dash them to death ~ supposedly related in the poem,

Song of Hiawatha by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

~ Lover’s Leap ~

Supposedly, an Indian maiden dove from this point when her warrior

did not return from a trip. We were told by our tour guide not to try it,

as the water is only 2 feet deep at the base ~ it never entered my mind!

One of my favorite sites was Rainbow Cave ~ the water was so clear

and beautiful there ~ it was easy to see the rock-strewn floor of the lake.

Water continually seeps through the rocks and falls like rain inside the cave,

sometimes creating rainbows. When icicles form here in the winter, they

are multi-colored from the minerals in the seepage.

We then approached the aptly-named formation called Indian Head Rock,

which is 180 feet tall. This old Indian has quite the schnoz!

This is looking at it straight-on ~ I told dh it looked like his nose was running ~

One of the most impressive sights is the Grand Portal. which stands

over 200 feet high. Before 1900, the arch was much larger, before a major

collapse at the site. Small ships could sail through it prior to that date.

In the winter of 1999, some of the roof of the present archway

fell into the passageway, blocking even the traffic of kayakers.

More to come on the next post ~ are you seasick yet?

The lake was so calm that day ~ the natives said it was so rare to have such

beautiful weather in September ~ it couldn’t have been a more perfect day.

“He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.”

Psalm 107:29

TGBTG

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:18:12 GMT

part one

We returned a week ago from a few days in the U.P. ~ as it is called

in Michigan. Most of our stay was spent in the town of Munising,

at the base of Munising Bay, on Lake Superior.

That is why I haven't been around to your sites for awhile ~ hope to soon!

On the way to the upper peninsula, we spent the night in Mackinaw City

and crossed the mighty Mackinac bridge the next morning ~ the third-longest

suspension bridge in the world. The height of the roadway at mid-point is

approximately 200 feet above the water ~ spanning the Straits of Mackinac.

Mackinac is pronounced the same as Mackinaw, by the way ~

We arrived in Munising about noon and decided to try the specialty of the area.

They are pronounced “PASS-teas” ~ and they stress the pronunciation!

The hand-held meal is filled with potatoes, onions, rutabagas,

and beef or chicken ~ served with gravy or ketchup.

We shared one covered in gravy and it was yummy.

These were introduced by the Cornish miners who came to the area to

mine copper and iron in early 1850’s. The miners had no time to ascend

from the mines for lunch and kept them warm in their pockets or

heated them on shovels held over the light of their lanterns.

Munising is famous for waterfalls ~ they have 17 and we saw most of them.

This is Alger Falls ~ a pretty15’-foot high falls,

right along the highway near where we stayed.

Horseshoe Falls ~ the only falls with a fee for viewing ~ privately-owned.

A million gallons of water flows over this spring-fed falls each day ~ a year-round

water temperature of 40° keeps it from ever freezing solid in the winter.

It is named for the horseshoe shape through which the water drops.

The next thing we did was take the Pictured Rocks boat cruise.

It was a breathtaking, nearly 3-hour tour of the

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

It was a perfect day ~ the surface of the lake was like glass, with water so clear

and such a beautiful emerald-teal color in places. This is one of the cruise boats.

We passed the Grand Island East Channel Lighthouse; it was built

in 1867, but has been out of commission for many years.

The first rock formation we approached is called Miners Castle.

The kayaks at the base of it give you an idea of the height of the cliff.

We later viewed the formation from the two viewing platforms.

It was a very, very long way down to that beautiful water!

I f you look closely, you can see boulders on the lake bottom.

I couldn’t get over the color of the water ~ gorgeous.

~ a heart-shaped top on the one pillar ~

We’ll continue this cruise next time. You gonna come along?

“Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD?

who can shew forth all His praise?

Psalm 106:2

TGBTG

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:09:51 GMT

SUMMER MIX

Just a menagerie of photos from the summer ~ this is some kind of BUG!

~ robins bathing in mud puddles ~

I really think they were having a pool party.

~ pics from a weekend get-together with many friends ~ her beautiful flowers ~

~ the flower-laden gazebo ~

~ lots of yummy food ~

~ homemade ice cream ~ there were about 15-20 freezers of it ~ sigh ~

~ blue grass and gospel music ~ doesn’t get much better than that! ~

That’s all for this post ~ not much time for this lately.

Have a wonderful week!

“ . . . praise Him with the psaltery and harp . . .

praise Him with stringed instruments and organs.

Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD.

Praise ye the LORD.”

Psalm 150:3-4, 6

By the way, I just had to post this at 9:09 on 09/09/09 ~

TGBTG

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 18:12:37 GMT

LAST DAY

OBX ~ NC ~ 9

Some miscellaneous shots from our last day at the Outer Banks

of North Carolina in 2009 ~ we were so unready to leave ~

~ colorful chairs for sale ~

We thought this was quite an unusual way to get to one's fishing spot;

there was total silence as he glided over the water.

~ a pair of mallard ducks ~

~ a gull gazing over Pamlico Sound ~

Back at the restaurant where the ospreys were ~ there were also

several families of Canada geese roaming the grounds.

This gosling was hiding in the shade of a shrub.

The walkways there were so sparkly ~ they looked like they were

made of crushed glass ~ we weren't sure what all we were walking on!

A great egret was hanging around the dock.

Our last night on the island, we ate at this restaurant.

Yep ~ the food was awesome! I had coconut shrimp ~ sigh.

The sun began to set over the sound and we regretfully turned in for the night.

Soon, I'll begin to post pics of the place we visited next on our way home;

we enjoyed it too, but it was hard to say goodbye to the ocean once more.

(This photo was taken by our daughter-in-law at the property where we stayed for the week.)

“And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together

unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.

And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together

of the waters called He Seas: and God saw that it was good.”

Genesis 1:9-10

TGBTG

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:12:57 GMT

OSPREYS

OBX ~ NC ~ 8

The day we checked out of the house, we stopped for lunch,

back at the restaurant where we had seen the osprey nest . . .

. . . and I was so excited to see they had hatched three babies!

The restaurant is famous around those parts, and the food

was absolutely scrumpdillyicious! This was she-crab soup,

complete with chunks of crab and sherry-laced cream ~ sigh ~

You can see more pictures of the restaurant area on their website:

http://www.lonecedarcafe.com/

Ospreys are raptors which have a 4½ to 6 foot wingspan.

I took about 100 photos of the ospreys that day . . .

. . . and the next day, we went back there for lunch again!!!

The mother osprey didn't look real impressed about that.

The food was very worth it, but the ospreys were the real draw.

The waitress told us this pair returns every year and

the employees always name the babies ~ these had no names as yet.

The parent ospreys are Ricky and Lucy ~

We were given a window seat both days, right in front of the nest;

all of these photos were taken through the window.

My camera nearly exploded from overwork!

The father caught a fish and sat in this dead tree a long time,

just holding it in his talons.

~ lunch time ~

Ospreys dive nearly vertical to grab fish from the water,

thrusting their talons downward at the last moment.

When they fly with a fish, they turn the fish with its head forward,

to maintain an aerodynamic profile ~ God is so amazing!

The osprey chicks were soon gorging on their lunch of fresh fish

which the parents tore in pieces for them. They do not begin

to feed themselves until they are about six weeks old.

They are ready to leave their nest at around eight weeks of age.

“And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly

the moving creature that hath life,

and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.”

Genesis 1:20

TGBTG

Friday, August 21, 2009

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 19:27:07 GMT

OBX ~ NC ~ 7

Hubby and I drove around the island for a bit one day

and saw this sand castle made of paper mache or some such thing,

built into the sand dune ~ it was beginning to disintegrate,

probably battered by the relentless wind and blowing sand.

We weren’t sure what these were ~ kites or some sort of parasails?

I wanted a pic of all the grandchildrens’ feet ~ they thought I was silly

and it was nearly impossible to get the little ones to hold still long enough.

The last evening we were there, we fed our leftover bread to the gulls ~ so fun.

Morning came and we knew we had to leave ~ dh and I got up around 5:00 a.m.

and headed for the beach to watch the sunrise one last time.

It was an especially pretty morning ~ we were almost alone on the beach.

We saw only one other couple out there, waiting for the sun to appear.

The gulls were busy ~ searching the incoming waves for breakfast morsels.

A tiny ghost crab even reflected the sun’s rays.

First, there were shades of pink . . .

. . . which turned to glowing oranges.

It was beautiful ~ serene ~ my heart was just so grateful for the wonderful week

we had just experienced with our family ~ what a blessing it had been.

Finally, the sun broke over the horizon, and after a few more minutes

of reflection and reminiscing, we regretfully turned back toward the house

to finish packing to leave. We tried to walk as slowly as possible ~

This was the scene just before we all started to reload the vehicles

for the trip homeward. I think it was everything but the kitchen sink!

After our departure, dh and I spent the rest of the day exploring the northern part

of the island. We toured the Whalehead Club hunting lodge.

It was built between 1922 and 1925 as a vacation home before

there were any roads on that part of the island ~ they reached it by boat.

It was the first home on the island to have an elevator, a swimming pool

and a basement. It is famous for its art nouveau architecture.

We also visited the nearby Currituck Beach Lighthouse.

Old, winding brick walkways meander around the grounds.

This is the caretaker's home.

On the next post, I want to take you back to the osprey's nest

that we saw the week before. I am so glad we returned to it!

It was nice to be able to have another day on the island ~ just to

unwind a bit before we headed for our next destination.

But, is there ever enough time at the ocean? I think not.

“The mighty God, even the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth

from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof.”

Psalm 50:1

TGBTG