Last week, Bill Haller gave us a report on the beaver activity at Bete Grise. This week his roving report is about a visiting pair, getting ready to start their family. Bill said they were happy to see the two of these Sand Hill Cranes return because last year they produced three offspring and by the time they departed, those younguns were almost three feet tall. Smart birds these cranes, choosing a beautiful spot on the lake to start out their family. Once the eggs are laid, they hatch in about a month, then are tended by both parents and they're ready to fly in a little over two months. Making them true snowbirds, spending the summer on Lake Superior!

Whether you're a snowbird, a year-round resident, or just in town for the Copper Country Homecoming from June 27 - July 4, you'll want to stop in Calumet on Independence Day for a pasty at Agassiz Park, just a block from the downtown area. Pasty Fest 2004 is a party to which YOU are invited - AND if you're one of the first 400, you're pasty is FREE (can't beat the price!) What a great way to spend the afternoon of July 4th this year :^)

Good morning from an early bird in N. Central Indiana!

Just ending the midnight shift. Wanted to get the early post.

Maybe next time, Jim. Go home and get some sleep.

The cranes here already have babies--they
look like balls of fuzz on stilts. (: (:

Heading out for a run before it gets any hotter.
Wish I was up there where it's cooler and
there are better places to run. Love the trails of
the UP.

Hey, Toivo, it just so happens I was at Bill and Eloise Haller's place yesterday evening. They have a lovely home out at Bete Grise, in the very spot where we did our wireless broadband Internet testing over a year ago. From the Lac La Belle channel there is a clear view up to Mt. Horace Greeley, where the Pasty.NET relay tower is located. Soon the south shore residents will have the same high speed service we enjoy here in Eagle River, and around much of the Keweenaw.

By the way, Edie and I hope to make it over to Gay this afternoon. While she shops at the "Consolidation Sale" at the Gay Bar (from 11am-3pm), I'll be doing some signal strength tests on Pasty.NET's wireless DSL, looking for a good spot to put one of our Hot Spots for the surrounding residents. As you may have heard, Keweenaw County and Pasty.NET received a grant to help bring broadband Internet to the remote areas of the Peninsula, and we're on schedule to bring Copper Harbor and Eagle Harbor on-line this summer, too.

By Dave, Laurium on Saturday, May 22, 2004 - 07:17 am:

Good Morning to all Yoopers and Yooper-wanna-be's. Yes, spring has really brought the flora and fauna back to life around the Copper Country. On my trip along the eastern shoreline 2 days ago I came across good evidence of that, a Blue Heron (I think) and a Mommy goose and Daddy goose out for a stroll with their baby gooses..:)

Whoa!! Take a gander at that will ya!!!

Wish we had some of the rain y'all are getting...we are dry here in West Texas. The prevailing winds keep howling for the Dyess Air Show today with temps expected to hit 90....can't wait to come "home" this summer.

Isn't spring wonderful with the tulips out and everyone getting ready to plant flowers etc. We feel like we're all coming out of hibernation.

Hey, those Canadians were here for the winter. They stay close to our Medi Park.

Here you go again YOOPER football fans. Dealer has programs showing the teams and pictures from Negaunee, Lake Linden, Ontonagon, Kingsford, Baraga, Iron Mountain...all fighting for past state championships at the Silverdome. click here

Two interesting bird observations last evening; Two small groups of hawks at Phoenix, soaring towards their annual migration reunion at Mt. Brockway, and later, a mature bald eagle being harrassed by a crow to the point where he was forced to "stand pat" in the top of a white pine. We watched for at least ten minutes, while the crow dive bombed at him.

Hard to believe that the eagle was so intimadated, couldn't he have "lunched" the crow with just one talon ?

Wow, all these fowl photos are wonderful!! Dave of Laurium, if you'd attended good ol' LLHHS, you'd know the proper term is baby 'geese'!!! Just teasing you this a.m. I do love your upbeat posts.

Jean of West Texas, your initials wouldn't have been JR, would they? That is the only Jean of Texas I know who used to live up here.

Have a good weekend everyone.

Maybe he was tired of 'eating crow'...:)

Ahmeek, its "goslings"

Whatever it is, Al, it isn't 'gooses'!! LOL!

Good Morning from the dry Central Valley of CA.
We won't see rain now until Nov.
Have a good weekend all.

In Detroit they're traffic stoppers!
It's so nice to see 4 lanes of 60 mph west bound am traffic come to a dead halt and wait patiently for the last baby to cross safely. Red lights and stop signs don't have that effect on rush hour!

Mr. Bill- While camping in the 'Porkies' a few years ago, my wife & I watched as a colony of five or six crows harrased a mature eagle. He flew from his perch with the crows in hot pursuit, dive bombing him. All of a sudden he did a barrel roll and snatched the nearest crow out of the air and flew off up the mountain. The rest of the colony was VERY quiet after that.

I love those 'geese's to piece's'....:)

Dave: You silly goose ! The babies are called goslings...LOL

The "Stork" came to Cadillac Michigan yesterday and left me with my first "Grand Son"! His name is Carson John Raasio born at 1:42pm, 9#8* and 21 inches tall...I'm a "First Time Grampa" and proud of it, and my Dad came from the Copper Country and I visit Copper Harbor area every fall for color tour! Love it in the UP!

Hello Cold Country. I see the temp hasn't reached 40 there yet today.Back in July 2000,I was still a Troll then,
I went to see my two Uncle's Chet Wetton,and Clyde(Frenchy)Clouther out along the Bootjack Rd.near Dreamland.Across from Le'Blanc's on the way back to $Bay I got to take some video of a whole flock of Sand Hill Cranes.My good friend Russ Emmons got me interested in bird watching almost 20 yrs. ago.I had to call him awhile back after dark and ask him what kind of night bird was making this repeated sound.So I held the cordless phone up for him to hear,and he told me it was a Whip-Poor-Will.Once i thought about it that is what the bird was saying.I guess i lived in the city for to long.Sure is great to live in the backwoods of Tennessee where it has been 86 degrees 19 out of the 22 days so far this month.

At least that one bird has more 'heron' his head than I do.....:>)

FFOORREE!!! I don't think so, not today!!

George in Milw. Last day here and heading home to Bootjack can't wait Hi Mary

Mary says: Hi George...drive safely!

Re Dave-Laurium's picture -

Ah yes, the brantis canadensis! An assemblage of their fledgling moppets are alluded to as "a gaggle of goslings."

(Wheatman inspired)

CONGRATULATIONS GRAMPA KARL!!!!
How exciting to be blessed with little Carson! May God give the family many happy years and fall trips to da UP :o)

Allouez Andre.....Ahhh, I got it now, you must be talking about dem dere goose's!!!

Congratulations Karl!!

Such a beautiful bridge view! All the photos today are admirable. Ms. Katie

Goodnight to all cam watchers
It has been a stormy weekend in downstate Michigan. I wish all a beautiful week ahead.

Gotta go! Gotta go! Gotta go right NOW!

saw some sandhills thde other day by bishop mclachlan high school in pasco county they were crossing the road and they do not hurry for cars or anybody but a magnificent animal