daughterdad's Journal

Last night, I spent a few hours on the Mississippi fishing for bass. It was a beautiful evening, with a crisp, brisk breeze that eventually calmed down about an hour before the sun set. There was a stillness on the water, with no one else around except my fishing buddy, making it feel like we had the whole river to ourselves.

I observed a lot of waterfowl, even though that wasn’t the purpose of my trip. Without my camera, I could only take mental snapshots of the seagulls that were clearly out-fishing me, diving with precision to catch shad as if it were effortless. Watching them gave me clues on where the larger bass might be lurking. It was fascinating to think about the shad's constant struggle for survival, dodging predators both above and below, relying only on the safety of their numbers.

Fall colors were still at their peak, adding a vibrant backdrop to the scene. Several species of ducks flew overhead, a reminder of the seasonal changes. Bald eagles cruised along the shoreline, scanning for easy meals, while a blue heron fished with patience, occasionally spearing prey. There’s something majestic about seeing these creatures coexist in their natural setting, each finding their place in the river’s ecosystem.

The fishing was fantastic! The bass were clearly on the hunt, following the shad and aggressively fattening up for winter. I managed to take pictures of about half of the fish I caught. Watching the bass explode out of the water to chase the shad was thrilling, but surprisingly, topwater fishing wasn’t very effective. Still, the strikes on my lure along the bottom of the water column were electrifying and kept me on my toes.

After arriving back at the landing, I took a few moments to reflect on the evening. It struck me how much I had needed this time on the water. Sometimes, being out there feels like hitting an escape hatch—where the mind can drift freely, and the body can just be. Watching the river, alive with so much activity, filled me with a sense of awe, wonder, and curiosity. The frequent tug and pull of big fish on the line always helps too! The evening was a sublime reminder of how intricate and interconnected the natural world is, and how stepping away for a few hours can help reset the spirit.

The Yellowstone Lake in Wisconsin! :)

DaughterMom and I took our two youngest daughters for a nature walk at Yellowstone Lake in southern Wisconsin. We decided to hike along the trail that extends into the lake and wraps around a swamp area. It was a beautiful fall day!

We found lots of critters and saw beautiful colors in the leaves. A gentle little snake was the first thing to greet us, and my youngest daughter took A LOT of photos of it. :) There were not a lot of little insects, but plenty of beetles, caterpillars, grasshoppers, butterflies, and lady beetles. Unfortunately, I couldn't get a good picture of the huge carp swimming in the small bay. There must have been two dozen of them, though.

The girls also helped me get a creative photo of duckweed by throwing rocks in the water! I also enjoyed getting a photo of them throwing leaves up in the air too. The girls tried to hide a few times which also made for some memorable photos.

We saw a lot of birds and I imagine the regular foot traffic has them fairly conditioned to human presence. Not that my photos were much better than usual, but it did seem I was able to have better chances at the birds. My favorite was the flock of geese flying in a V and honking all the way.

Good time to be outdoors together!

DaughterMom and I took our two youngest daughters fishing on the Mississippi today. It was beautiful weather with bright fall colors on display. We had a good time catching fish and I caught my first Freshwater Drum! Both of the girls caught plenty of fish and enjoyed the trip.

It would have been great to bring my camera because there were a lot of large waterfowl nearby. We saw bald eagles, cormorants, geese, a variety of ducks, pelicans, swans, herons, egrets, owls, hawks, and many smaller birds too. But today was for fishing which we really enjoyed!

The river seems very low and after the severe flooding early this summer, it was impressive to see how the water levels have impacted the shoreline. The girls asked lots of questions about the fish, their diets, how big they could get, and what do they do in the winter. Good day. Better to be with my daughters in nature. :)

Life gets busy but spending some time in the backyard looking for bugs felt good! One of my daughters helped point out a few common finds and I hit the volleyball with her for a few minutes too. I was surprised to find a robin's nest with two unhatched eggs. Each egg did have a small hole in them so something must have eaten them when they didn't hatch, or possibly ate them causing them not to hatch.

I also set up the bird feeders for the winter. It took only minutes for blue jays to arrive to snatch up the peanuts! My goal is to improve my bird photography by practicing this winter. We might even set up our hunting blind and use it for photography when it gets cold. In addition to the blue jays we also saw cardinals but they were unwilling to approach while I sat at the window with my camera.

Again, a nice evening to be outside was made even better with my daughter helping me look for bugs. :)

It was nice to walk around outside this evening. Beautiful sunset made better by a few whitetail deer and a dove that cooperated for a decent cell phone pic. It's always helpful to breathe deeply while watching for wildlife. The deer were fairly calm even though my dog was with me. Certainly a lot fewer bugs around now that the evening temperatures are dropping. Walking gives me space to think about nature and eliminates distracting thoughts. It was good to be outside.

My daughters usually have activities on Monday night so I went to Nelson Dewey State Park to take a few photos this evening. It was a gorgeous evening but there weren't very many bugs, birds, or flowers. I walked over three miles and observed more woodpeckers than I've ever seen in one place. Not many of my photos turned out - I am still very much learning and flighty birds, from a long distance, in dense woods, with harsh sunlight making it tough for this beginner. :)

I only saw a couple of people so the solitude was nice, especially when I was trying to brace myself in weird positions against trees! I was expecting to see more insect life and maybe some squirrels. Oh well. The beautiful sunset made up for it!

*More photos to be added. :)

We went for a family walk today and I left my camera behind! It was one of those beautiful fall days—bright and breezy, with the crispness of autumn in the air. At the midpoint of our walk, the girls waded in the creek and we let the dog swim. We also took the time to swing on the gliders and pose for random and silly photos.

My daughters, perhaps secretly relieved that I wasn’t pausing every few steps for a photo, still pointed out several possible photo opportunities. Using the camera on my phone, I did take photos of a fuzzy caterpillar and a small cricket..at their request :). But aside from those two critters, we simply enjoyed the time together.

I am grateful for the time together, especially since we were outdoors.

An excerpt from my personal journal today...the part pertaining to my awe-walk in nature. :)

With all of my daughters busy this afternoon and evening, I decided to head to Governor Dodge after work. The sun is setting earlier these days, but I still had a wonderful time exploring and discovering a few bugs, flowers, and birds. My favorite moment was when I spotted some white-throated sparrows. I love these birds for their beautiful springtime songs, and I realized they must be migrating. As dusk approached, they basked in the warmth of the setting sun, and I felt grateful to witness this fleeting moment in their journey. It was tricky to get a good photo, but Merlin came to my rescue!

After wading through shoulder-high brambles and dense overgrowth, I found a quiet spot among the willows at the base of a small stand of trees. The sparrows flitted between the tree branches, snatching insects in flight. Their intermittent chirping guided me, and Merlin’s app perfectly mimicked their calls, helping me feel more connected to the experience. It didn’t take long before the birds seemed comfortable with my presence.

When I played their familiar “cheep-cheep” calls, they responded, but it was when I let Merlin play a spring song that things really changed. Their curiosity was piqued! A few birds even attempted to mimic the song, and their efforts doubled as they eagerly searched for the mysterious "bird" serenading them. I’m excited to see how my photos turned out.

I also came across several beetles that might be first-time observations for me, and I took photos of some familiar flowers and plants, mostly as a way to remember their names. The geese were across the bay, and while I knew the distance might be a challenge, I still tested the camera and lens my parents have lent me.

One highlight was capturing a clear shot of a Jerusalem Artichoke flower. I love photographing flowers because they make beautiful, simple emojis that I can send to people who are having a tough day. There's something about nature that softens life’s challenges. For me, noticing the small, intricate details of the natural world brings peace. It fills my mind with curiosity and awe—two emotions that I find deeply nourishing.

I came across a quote recently that really resonated, especially after a long day at work: "You think you are an introvert because you like being alone, but in reality, you just love being at peace, and you're actually extroverted around people who bring you joy." Well said. Nature is where I find that peace.

September 19, 2024

My parents and I visited the CSKT Bison Range, hoping to encounter a variety of wildlife—and we were not disappointed!

We started the morning with stunning views of white-tailed deer transitioning from higher elevations to the river bottoms. We also spotted several bison but decided to photograph them later in the day. As we traveled along the river, we captured photos of two magnificent bull elk, who treated us to several bugles since the rut had just begun. The call of a bull elk is one of my favorite sounds in nature.

After the elk bedded down in the trees, we doubled back to travel the 19-mile loop. We quickly spotted several antelope and more white-tailed deer. The bison were abundant, and as we climbed in elevation, we encountered a large mule deer buck. While his antlers were impressive, he appeared quite thin—he was the only animal we saw that didn’t look healthy.

The meadowlarks filled the air with song, though they were challenging to spot. We managed to capture a few photos of them throughout the day. We also observed several gray partridges near the truck, making for beautiful shots. There were numerous birds of prey hunting from the sky or perched nearby, along with a few ducks and other waterfowl along the river. The rarest bird we encountered was a long-eared owl; we were fortunate enough to take several photos, none of them perfect, but I can clearly identify the bird.

On our route, we were slowed by a few bull bison leisurely making their way along the road. As we passed the first bull, he tossed his head and pawed the ground but did not charge. Seeing these massive creatures up close was incredible.

As we neared the mountain’s summit, my parents pointed out the spot where they once observed a mother bear and her three cubs. To our delight, we saw another mother bear with two cubs in the same location! One of my bucket-list experiences was to witness baby bears with my mom, who adores young animals. Sharing that moment was truly special; my daughters and I have seen many bears in the wild, each memorable in its own way.

One of my favorite encounters of the day was watching two young mule deer bucks mock-fighting. They rattled their antlers for 5–10 minutes, not even 100 feet from our truck! I was surprised to learn my parents had never seen that before, and it sparked an idea: for our animal camping trip next fall, we might find a place to photograph deer and elk during the rut.

We enjoyed lunch in the picnic area, where wildlife was abundant as well. We spotted a deer, birds of prey soaring overhead, and what I think was a vole. After lunch, we took a short nature walk around a pond and along the river. I couldn’t believe the number of turtles in the pond—probably hundreds!

We decided to drive the loop a second time. Though there weren’t as many animals as the temperatures rose into the mid-seventies, the viewpoints over the valley and the Mission Mountains were breathtaking. We also enjoyed a short hike to a scenic overlook.

Overall, the day was a wonderful success! I cherished the time spent with my parents, especially reminiscing about past trips while observing wildlife together. Being in nature not only rejuvenates my spirit but also deepens my appreciation for these shared moments. I hope to pass on this love for the wilderness to my daughters, creating lasting memories in the great outdoors, just as my parents have done for me.

This experience was truly special, filled with the beauty of nature and cherished moments with my parents. I deeply appreciate the time we spent together, sharing our love for wildlife and the outdoors. It inspires me to create similar memories with my own daughters, fostering their connection to nature and the joy of family adventures. I hope to pass down this appreciation for the wilderness, just as my parents did for me, building a legacy of exploration and appreciation for the great outdoors.

Nature rejuvenates and inspires me, helping me maintain a healthy perspective as I strive to be a better person. I am grateful for the time I spent at the CSKT Bison Range.

P.S. Thank you to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes for sharing their land and wildlife resources while caring for nature on the Bison Range.