• Friday-What'sUP January 20 - 11:44 pm

Along the bay, just north of Baraga, it's the norm to be treated with spectacular views. If you're really lucky, you may have the good fortune not only to spot something worth photographing, but actually get the shutter button pushed before the subject takes off. That's just what Stanley Spruce accomplished recently, capturing one of our National Birds seemingly guarding Keweenaw Bay.

For all you trivia buffs, The Bald Eagle became our national emblem in 1782 and several of the reasons it was chosen were because of its great strength, majestic looks, boundless spirit of freedom and its long life (averaging 20 - 30 years). In short, they represent freedom.

We welcome everyone just discovering the Pasty Cam, where we've been on this daily U.P. excursion for almost eight years. Haven't you always wanted to dive through the ice with those daring Polar Bear swimmers in the middle of winter? Me neither. But this weekend you have a chance to do the next best thing: Add your name to those written on lovely Liz Clawson as she plunges into the icy depths - and also support a very worthy cause. Click here for "the rest of the story": Getting wet and cold... to help keep Seniors warm and dry!

Cool Pix.

Great eagle pics! For the third picture, again I say Brrrrrr

I will have to print a copy of the eagle
(wonderful photo!) to take to my dad when I
visit him in Lower Michigan tomorrow. He will
love it on two counts at least: He is from
L'Anse and he was a Screaming Eagle (101st
Airborne) in WWII.

Love the eagle pics! Bully to the Polar Bear swimmers, but there is no way I could do that!

Kosk, hope your Dad enjoys the pic. He has has my thanks for his service to preserve my freedom.

Oh my gosh eagles are gorgeous! On our way to visit my parents over the holidays we saw one sitting on the side of the road up there. We had my 19 year old son with us and when we pointed it out to him he was in awe! He couldn't believe just how large they really were. They are just so majestic. As far as jumping in the water goes, I feel brave when I'm swimming in Lake Superior in August. No thank you in the middle of winter! Have a great day. It's another beautiful day here in MN.

The eagle is both my husband's school and my school's mascot: the Canyon (TX) eagles and Fritch eagles.

What beautiful photos. I love the scowl the eagle permanently has. :)

Not many things are as exciting as seeing an eagle close-up. They're so easy to spot along Keweenaw Bay as long as you're the passenger in the car and train your eyes up. Had a wonderful view of one on the east side of the Bay last year. I got out of the car and walked right up to the tree, but the eagle didn't care! Shot him with my digital and my video camera.

Truly a magnificent bird! As I understand the other animal that was in the running for our national symbol was a turkey. I think they made the right choice.

Actually, if you sit in a sauna for about 30 minutes before you jump in the canal its not too bad. After a good hot sauna you can walk around outside withOUT a coat for a good 30 minutes and be plenty warm 'eh.

Ok...as if I wasn't home sick enough...now a pic of an eagle. Waaaaaaaaaa...I miss Michigan. This pic reminds me of the Mother's Day my daughter and I spent up in Keweenaw, and we got to see the eagles migrate in.
Kosk, I am sure your dad will love the pic of the eagle...you are such a thoughtful daughter. Please thank him for his years of service in protecting our freedoms :) Have a safe trip home to Michigan, this weekend.

Jeffkal, no matter how you slice it, dat water is ice cold. Brrrrrrrrr...

MAJESTIC...At times during the year the eagles can be spotted here on the shores of Lake Erie. Here is a site where they count the birds/raptors as they head south in the fall of the year.
http://www.smrr.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard/topic.cgi?forum=9&topic=92

I just got the shivers Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! looking at the man jump into that water. I always enjoy seeing a bald eagle, tis a great picture of it.

Buh-buh-buh-buh-bird bird bird
Bird is da word.

I think that's how the lyrics go.
55 and some sun here. I miss snow.

Beautiful picture. How much snow do you guys have up there right now??

The Eagle is awesome... But you couldn't pay me enough to jump in that water like that! (How about you, mama?)

Stan,
Way to go! Great shot of one of those magnficent birds. I miss the nesting pair outside the hatchery and watching the other pairs on the way home every night. No Eagles in Myanmar...

J, Still having trouble w/ email. I'm officially stuck here. I'm steaming North around the 26th, for 4 days then maybe take a supply boat off to Myanmar, when we complete the project. Hopefully I am going to get out of the country soon after that, but it seems there might be a problem w/ that as well...

Thanks folks. I will pass on your regards to
my father tomorrow.

I was fortunate this fall to have two Bald Eagle siteings here in Allegan. They are a wonderfull site.

Seismic Pirate: Don't worry, there will be snow here in the UP for you to play in upon your return. Painesdale has about 26 inches on the ground. It's been a gradual buildup, no drastic snowstorms, yet.

Thanks dpl,
I'm glad we've had no big ones since i'm not there to clear the drive. My neighbor plows(bless him) but i hate leaving even the clean up for my wife and kids.

Sure wish I was on my way back, though. I'm stuck for 5-7 days longer and gettting off in a very remote territory. To top it off there's rumours of a certain person w/ a lot of power here that has had thoughts of impounding the vessel and crew, indefinately. Seems about 10 yrs ago the same thing happened to a sesimic vessel and they were imprisoned for 2 months...

Who says you have to join the Army for adventure? Try the oil industry:)
I hope everybody enjoys the festival this weekend in Hancock! ...It is this weekend, isn't it?

Marc, :( Sorry to hear that your plans to be home with your family have been derailed. Hats off to your wife...sounds like she handles it quite a bit better than I do, when hubby is kept away from home longer than expected.
Hubby exchanged his weekly NJ run for what were supposed to be local runs, and last night, he called...once again, to let me know that he would not be home on Thursday night. I must admit that I was quite angry. I will have to learn to be more greatful, eh.

Frnash & Mary. Thank you! Who said old "dogs" can't learn new tricks?
Charlotte, glad you won and the weather wasn't to bad. I think I understand your feelings all though I haven't been in your shoes.
Sur5er, the weatherman was doing the same thing here when I went to bed at 10:00. Backing water on his 4-8" I just got up to look outside and we have a little snow but it doesn't seem to be snowing now (nor raining). Sorry about the expensive wipers. I hate it when they make that noise!

oops! Sorry, wrong page!

Thanks Sur5er,
It comes w/ the job, unfortunately.

My wife however, is an exceptional woman, wife, mother and friend to put up with my career and deal with me being gone for so long. On top of it, she takes care of the kids and runs her own business in Hancock.

Anyway, yeah, a couple nights isn't worth getting too steamed over. 6-7 weeks and it gets long for us-just imagine what it's like for military families right now. Those people are the real troopers!

Paulwebbtroll, Dontcha just hate that when the weatherman gets ya all excited about there being snow...only to turn around a few hours later and take it all back.

Marc, What type of business does your wife have?

Seismic Pirate, What business does she have in Hancock? Maybe I go right past it on my work in Hancock every day.

That is one awesome photograph........the blad eagle that is. just stunning.....Sunshine in Fayette!!!Sun can you believe it...must be cause its my birthday!Have a great day and tankssssssssss fr da photos...

Whitewaves,

Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday dear Whitewaves...happy birthday to you!

Hope you have a wonderful birthday :)

My wife, Alisa, owns "Sierra's Treasures", across from the Community Arts Center, first block in downtown Hancock. She sells second-hand women's and childrens clothes, toys, books, etc. Some of it on consignment. It was originally "Kids N Stuff", in Houghton when we bought the business a few years ago.