Spring is HERE!

It's been a great early spring weekend! Friday was a perfectly sunny day. It was still cold, but there was a spring feel to the crisp air. I wanted to go on a photo safari but I also had our weekend grocery shopping to do. Instead I took a long, rambling drive into the city. The terrain around our new home is not what I had expected before we came to Wisconsin. I'd thought it was all flat. The area we settled is on the edge of the Driftless Area. It feels a lot like Western PA.



After shopping I ran into Freja's preschool early. It was fun to spend some time there with her. She spent most of it showing off for me, riding a tricycle around and around. I never knew she could move so fast on one!



On Saturday the temperature climbed almost 30°! The winds were also too strong to spend a lot of time outside, so we just relaxed around our apartment. In the early afternoon we walked to our favorite place in town, The Grumpy Troll. We really love their Baltic Porter!




Today, Sunday, the weather was truly the first day we felt that winter is OVER! Warm sun, no need for jackets, and mostly dry ground to hike on. After a leisurely morning we went to nearby Pleasant Valley Conservancy. This is easily becoming a favorite place to go and just relax. Today we also met the land owners, and found out more about their organization. I'm tempted to volunteer there.



As we left the apartment, I outfitted my camera for shooting birds. I had a feeling this would be a good day for it. The very first thing we encountered was a pair of newly returned Sandhill Cranes! Then the owner of the conservancy alerted me that she'd seen a Red-headed Woodpecker. We have so many woodpeckers back in PA that I truly thought it was going to be a species I'd seen before. It was a great surprise to find out I hadn't.




SPRING!!

It's Been Busy...

It's been a busy time, so I haven't spent time updating this blog. We've been getting ready to move into the new house, dealing with our old house, and doing a lot of family stuff. The time is flying by! The funny thing is, I haven't felt like shooting much this month. Even a week long trip back to PA with Freja didn't stir me to shoot.



One of the things we've been doing is exploring the new home range, which I expect is something we'll do for years. We've discovered great places to enjoy a leisurely coffee on a Sunday morning, as well some of the local attractions. Teri and I have even had a day time date thanks to great sitter! I have to admit, we're also spending more time around the new house, walking the neighborhood and driving by to look at the house.





Another thing that had me busy was taking care of Freja. She had a minor bought with strep throat. Nothing serious as it was caught just as it started. She also had an infected, ingrown toe nail that was soar. First she was ill, and then I took her to the old house back in PA for over a week. Ten days of just the two of us was really nice.




Just a couple of weeks to go until we move!

My Wedding Photography ~ Now Serving the Greater Madison Area

All of the information in this blog post has moved to my Wedding Services Page. There you'll find everything you'll need to know about my wedding photography, both my style of shooting, and pricing. I'm based in Mount Horeb, WI but have traveled across the nation to shoot weddings. Thank you.

"Scandahoovian" Troll Burn! (almost)

Tonight was the local, very first, "Scandahoovian" winter bonfire here in Mount Horeb, our new home. They were supposed to burn a wooden Troll, but burned a bunch of pinecones instead. Apparently, according to the man with the torch, the troll was made from a hunk of wood that was soaked in creosote. There were concerns of "toxic smoke." I can see that I guess...



Part of me, of course, wonders about creating one out of straw to burn. Considering my background, as a museum exhibits preparator, I think I could create a really good piece. Once we're settled into the new house, and I have an adequate workshop, I may look into doing one. We could always just burn it ourselves...

Pine Relict Forest Adventure

Today Teri & I were able to go exploring, just the two of us. We've found a really nice local girl to baby sit for the day. The weather was sunny, cold and there was a fresh coat of snow on the ground. We loaded up the snowshoes and cameras, and then went to see what we could find in our new home range.

Our first stop was a short drive to the nearby town of Blue Mounds. There's a very, very special bakery there called the naked elm bakery. It's just the kind of place we love! We met some really nice people, enjoyed food that made us happy, and the coffee was good too! I can honestly say this is how I've always wanted to have breakfast when I go out. Just a relaxed atmosphere with a meal that doesn't disappoint. I also really loved meeting the guy running the place this morning, Mat. He reminded me a bit of myself when I was a young buck...



After leaving there very content, we headed to the nearby Ridgeway Pine Relict. It's a state owned natural area, but not a developed park. We studied maps and satellite images until we figured out were to access it. It's not a straightforward, "park here, follow that trail there" kind of place. We loved it!



When we first thought about moving to Wisconsin we both pictured endless miles of flat terrain, covered in pastures and corn. It does have a lot of that, but there are also these gems of geological beauty. Best of all, they're close to where we live! To think, there's so much more out there for us to explore!




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Eagles at Dawn

I left the house early this morning and drove to Prairie du Sac, which is along the Wisconsin River. At this time of the year most of the waterways in the state have frozen over. Scores of Bald Eagles gather at places like this town, where dam spillways have created open water. The birds gather here to feed on fish in the mornings.

I expected to see a few birds and was really surprised at just how many I actually saw! There were well over twenty raptors at one viewing spot alone! The majority of birds were very far, so my 70-200mm, even with a 1/4x extender, was not the best lens. Oh to have an extra $13K for a 600mm lens! I can't even imagine...



I'm also going to try and learn more about The Ferry Bluff Eagle Council, the organization that monitors the birds. I'd bet there are some interesting folks involved.

Hello Snow!

Up to about a week ago the weather here has been extremely mild. Little snow fell for most of the winter and a lot of people really commented on dry it's been. As I said, that was until this week. Finally we're getting some decent snow fall!

Instead of us driving in separately, Teri drops off Freja goes to work, I pick up Freja go home, I like to drive them both in. I feel better doing the driving in the Jeep. It means having time to kill in Madison but I've been using it well. First I found a great coffee shop called The Froth House. I can enjoy a good cup-o-joe while I plan my menu, shopping list, etc..



Our commute is pretty easy too. Country highways, with nice views, for a good portion of it and then literally a straight shot to where Teri works and Freja goes to school. Here's a map showing part of our route. Almost 7 miles, no turns, just motoring along. This never happens in Pittsburgh! You're lucky to find a straight MILE in PA! LOL


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Anyway, after a lot of research on snowshoes I surprised my family with new gear. We'd never done it before so Saturday we headed to our local park for some practice. It was nice, though Freja seemed to enjoy being towed on her sled more than anything. I guess that's to be expected! Teri & I really enjoyed it and can't wait to get a daytime sitter so we can go exploring!