A Prairie Haven

This is a post about an issue that affects both raptors and people.  Over the last year or two I've seen several articles about lead bullets causing poisoning of California Condors and Bald Eagles.  As a result, we've started requiring the folks who hunt on our land to use non-lead bullets.  But I'm not only concerned about the birds - lead bullets cause problems for people too, and I haven't seen much publicity about that issue.  So this post is mainly about the issue of lead bullets and the dangers they pose for people. (more...)

On these snowy days the birds arrive at dawn, cover the feeders, and eat frantically all day long. Every morning I sprinkle the top of the railing with sunflower seeds - the goldfinches love that.  It's gone in less than an hour. (more...)

It's much colder this week, and we finally had a big snowstorm - the first really good one in a few years.   Mike has been so anxious to use his big snowblower - on the tractor - to plow out the driveway, and we finally had enough snow!

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The weather is still warm - in the 40s and 50s during the day - so I've been able to work outside.

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We're having a wonderful week of Indian Summer.  It was 75 degrees yesterday!  (more...)

Here are some views of the farm from the last few weeks. (more...)

We went on what is probably our last boat ride of the season on the Mississippi. (more...)

Hatched on June 1, 2009. She attracted a male, so I collected some of the eggs she laid, and released her to lay the rest in the wild.

It's officially fall now - we've had many below freezing nights, and we had our first dusting of snow.

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We had our first frost a few nights ago.  We've had several very cold nights, and lots of cool, rainy days.

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