Canoe Trip 
We went for a 4.7 mile canoe paddle in Ashley Lake today. The lake was gorgeous and the day was perfect. There were lots of birds all over. We saw a number of baby ducks and we got out at one spot and walked around a little. There were songbirds all over, but it was just slightly too dark to get any good photos and they were all moving around so fast. :) There was also an eagle we kept running into. We spotted it while we were paddling, then I all of a sudden noticed it sitting in a snag above us (photo below) and when we got out to walk around apparently we weren't that far from the eagle's nest. Which I spotted once between trees just because the eagle landed there, but I couldn't find it again without going closer, which we weren't going to do. The eagle seemed to be watching us. It flew to a few different trees around us and awhile after left it flew over top of us, circled back and flew right over us again, relatively close (by this time we weren't far from the landing and no where even near the nest).
Oh, there was also a loon family that we saw. I saw the one first and got a bunch of pics (look on DA for that one) and then I noticed the other one farther away and it looked like it probably had chicks with it, so we left them alone.
All-in-all, a fun canoe trip.

-Miranda


I believe this is a Golden Eye and its chicks. (click on it for a larger image)

The canoe and our stuff before we got back in after our walk.

The eagle sitting in the snag, and we were that close before I even spotted it.

The eagle's second pass, apparently checking us out.

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Inflatable Canoe Trial 
We tested the Inflatable canoe, Very Good Boat!
Stayed dry and not that slow!, very comfortable. It's a Sevylor Colorado.
Paddled around the entire little lake. not much other than a pair of loons and some birds.
Lots of Waterbugs.
-Joe

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Kimballs Bay Canoe Paddle 
Miranda and I paddled an unpopulated stretch of Lake Superior Harbor today. We put in @ 46°41'24"N 92°8'49"W. Nice 3-4mile paddle that started in a swamp and went out into the bay. Found a hidden unmarked campsite @ 46°42'4"N 92°9'46"W. Our general path is shown in purple on the satelite map below.
-Joe

Joe and I saw a frog as soon as we got out of the car. Other animals we saw were deer, a porcupine, Canada Geese, Turkey Vultures, a Belted Kingfisher, and yet another Great Blue Heron. The birds were very noisy also, but I'm a bit rusty on my bird calls. :)
Here are some pictures with my new camera:
-Miranda


satelite map showing the path we took in purple.

The porcupine climbed into the tree while we were there, so I got out to take some photos.

Joe's wonderful butterfly picture.

The Bong bridge and the old bridge below.

The Belted Kingfisher. He was far away, so this is the best picture I could get.

A lily pad flower with a bug on its petal.

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Fell in River, and Broke Camera + UPDATED 
UPDATED: July 3rd-
I just updated this entry with the pictures off the broken camera as
we just got the replacement, and now we can both take pictures. Check out the merganser pictures below!

PREVIOUS:
Bad day. We went for a paddle just south of Island Lake in wetland and then a mucky river. I somehow managed to Tip the canoe while trying to get out and fall into the deep mucky leech-infested water... what a mess. had to swim out after the canoe and all.. Felt the diseases infesting as i raced home for a shower :) Prior to that we droped the camera an inch onto the bottom of the boat and it died... So gonna put a hamper on our updates while we hopefully get a warranty replacement..
-Joe

This is a wetland we figured had to have critters! Nothing really though... The outer circle makes roughly a 1 mile long paddle. Lots of Pitcher plants.

Common Mergansers in the Island Lake wetland, about the only life there.

Blue dragonfly posing.

Crazy looking bug on Miranda's pants! What is it? Anyone know?

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Pokegama River Paddle 
Miranda and I went for an evening paddle up and down Pokegama River Starting at: 46°39'57"N 92°07'36". We just missed a thunderstorm, winds were up high so we didn't go all the way to the Lake Superior Bay. We did see many animals along this thick, still, brown river though! Muskrat, Red-winged Blackbirds, many deer, rabbits, ducklings, Great Horned Owl, Great Blue Heron, Canada Geese. All in only 2 hours!
-Joe

Purple line shows our path, Superior WI is to the right.

Muskrat working down the river.

Ducklings balancing on a log.

Great Horned Owl above us on river.

Pair of lovebirds ignoring us while we drive by.

Geese Galore

Winged Montage.

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