land of wonders ~ may version

Our land continues to be a huge blessing. It fosters interests and offers wonder. It also gives us endless work things to do. Natures elements make every year different. 

Much like life, our land is an ebb and flow. 

With such varied ecosystems, we come across things we never knew existed and learn more about the ones we did. I know I titled this post ~ May version, but had to include the cool tiger.

Natures patterns fascinate me!

Arge Tiger Moth
4.27.25

First time finding these growing on our land! We are usually too dry. They are poisonous.

Jack in the Pulpit
5.3.25

Mid May I enjoyed hiking with a friend and showing her Pewit's Nest. I snapped a quick pic of a wildflower that does not grow on our land. I usually hike there in the Fall, best time to go.

Mayapple

5.19.25

Back to our land finds. All iphotos on this post.

pollen (pine) cone
5.21.25



white fungus started appearing
5.21.25

orange octopus in our trees
5.22.25

(aka cedar-apple rust fungus)


pineapples in our woods
5.29.25

AI failed ID this is *not* American-Cancer root

tiny pollen cones are forming (achoooo!)

tiny green friend
5.29.25

aka Gray (concrete?) Tree Frog


Hairy/Carolina/Hoary Puccoon
5.31.25

After (re) watching my favorite Disney movie/s ~ I FOUND MAUI'S HOOK!!!!

Maui's Hook
5.26.25

aka a powerful Makau 

hot horses

This stretch of muggy/horrid/hot and rainy weather we find ourselves in has been hard on all critters. We do what we can to lessen their discomfort, and ours. 

We take shorter dog walks, earlier in the day. Potty breaks happen between rain drops, whenever possible. Dog towels hang by exterior doors and water bowls are filled more frequently. Hummer feeders and bird bath water also gets swapped out more often.

My heart goes out to the farmers doing what they can to keep livestock from overheating. Our friend shared multiple calfs aborted due to excessive heat. I can only assume similar happens with wild life altho they may/may not have more options.

As for us, we are thankful for air conditioning! I come in/out often, to feel renewed. Gone are the days of spending time planted in front of fans. For fear of melting. I used all the tricks to keep a house cooler. The old farm house shaded from large oak trees was appreciated regardless.  

Our horses let us know it gets hot out here in sand country. When they really want to get out of the elements, our split herd uses the shared shed (with divider) or they hover around the gate. Swatting bugs with their tails/legs/nose. Hoping their staff will notice and bring them inside for relief, and OH what a relief it is! No plop, plop, fizz, fizz required. All you have to do is walk through the barn door to feel cooler air. Our arena stays amazingly cool. Without air conditioning. Nice for when Brad is working with Cierra and/or Hope. Which he has been doing more frequently.

We are not bath crazed equine owners and do let our horses be horses. Mother Natures showers are the best. However after repeated hot-n-sweaty days our horses do appreciate getting hosed off and faces wiped with a cool wash cloth. 

Even Ms. Hope. Who turns into sweet softness with a wash cloth rub. They all do to some extent. She is too funny! Hope wants to drink the hose water, and have water run onto her nose/nostrils. Hope does need to be reminded that big girls stand still, but is doing really well.

Below is a short clip of our trio coming in early from the back pasture. Not Harmony's normal response. It is usually a race and "whoa" can be heard. She must have been too hot to run. 

6.23.25 (26 secs)

Later in the day, Brad spotted light beams peaking out of the cloudy sky. By the time I grabbed my phone and got outside, the first beam that went straight up had all but faded. I enjoyed watching the sky morph, and wondering...

6.23.25 around 8:35pm

We woke up to close to 5" of rain in our gauge the next day. 

Have I mentioned it is **STILL** raining and hotter than blazes outside?!!

float your troubles away

The day after our mini-vacation was Mothers Day. Brad asked if I wanted to go kayaking at Mirror Lake. It is our go to place and everything about the location fits us just right. He did not have to ask me twice!! I am always usually game for an adventure. Spending more quiet time together by/on the water would be perfect. The kids joined us for supper later on.

Last Spring we were kayak-less and had never experienced Mirror Lake in the Spring. The quietest time to be on the water any time of year is in the morning. Before yakity kayak yakers arrive.

heading out on the narrows

reflecting

sooo quiet you can hear yourself think

water was very clear with lotsa fishies

baby season

A couple kayakers were paddling the distant stream. Causing nesting parents to have a fit. The honkers were LOUD! We decided not to kayak any further and add to the poor parents stress.

cranes on distant shore

a larger floating flock of geese

We usually spot an eagle hunting the larger open water areas. We stopped paddling and watched an adult baldy fly closer and land on a tree. He took off again and circled above. If you watch the video you will see what (almost) happened. Yikes!

(48 secs)

We both enjoy paddling calm waterways best, with visual interest. It is very relaxing, thought provoking and puts everything into perspective.

As long as we are talking about floating our troubles away, our second kayak outing happened last weekend on Fathers Day. When we headed out, it was very lightly misting and cool. The majority of the time we had the water blissfully to ourselves.

the lake really is a mirror

we were in awe of the crystal clear reflections and solitude

It is hard to show height. The DNR website says the tall rocky layered banks are "50 feet tall cliffs".

(22 secs)

made me look twice

it sounded like an aviary

connecting with any type of water is so gratifying

We were surprised how low the lake was on this outing. Already. We've had a good amount of rain at home. Perhaps this area didn't get much.

There was nothing to do but laugh when we paddled out of the narrows, into the open. The water was SO thick with vegetation our kayaks did not move. We sat there for a while, taking in the view.

One by one the visitors arrived. They landed all over everything, including us. Not a fan of bugs in my hair. My hat solved that.

not a dragonfly

When I got home I looked up what I thought were dragonflies. My friend Google says they are Eastern Forktail damselfly. Friendly little fellas.

baldy was not having much luck fishing

sooo many hitchhikers!

We counted the damselfly's and laughed the whole way back to shore. We went from double digit hitchhikers, to two, to none. The winged wonders flew off when they were ready.

The other entertaining sight on this outing were the zig zagging water bugs. They were white, not the long legged scooting water bugs. 

water bugs (10 secs)

sound up to hear "the aviary"

all smiles

Each kayak outing is a different experience. Even at the same waterway. It is ever changing and so interesting observing how nature changes!!

almost summer

Before Spring gives way to official calendar Summer, I wanted to share three Spring firsts. There were more than three, but for the sake of moving forward on this blog I am highlighting our first hike, bike and kayak of the year. 

Early May, we traveled to Remer, MN for a gun fitting. Never heard of Remer? Me neither. Remer is home of Big Foot ~ and no ~ we did not spot a real Sasquatch. Unless you count the many cut outs. 

We took advantage of the situation and turned it into a mini vacation. As soon as Brad's gun fitting was done, we headed across the State to the North Shore of Lake Superior. Destination Cove Point Lodge. Our room was small, but oh so close to the lake!

We opened the windows whenever we were in the room and listened to the gentle waves. Day and night. Nothing like being shwoooshed to sleep :)) 

Brad relaxing by the window

sunset colors span the lake

The private cove on the lodge property is to the right (above). You can walk 'er climb all the way out on the point. I considered hauling my camera out for the rise/set, but opted to watch instead.

good morning glory

On our first and only full day, we hiked and revisited several nearby scenic locations. 

beautiful scenery

Both of our previous trips to the Two Harbor area were late Fall/early Winter. We have never been there in the Spring. As expected, Gooseberry Falls was roaring.

Brad & I viewed the beautiful middle falls area first

Roar (18 secs)

We hiked down to the lower falls, then up and around to see the upper falls. I get asked if you can get in the falls. The answer is yes, if you have a death wish and want to end up like the tree below. There are no barriers. As you can see, there are safer slow running water areas.

us at the smaller lower falls

We crossed the bridge and before hiking UP, we went in where the water wasn't running.

(19 secs)

heading towards the upper falls

so many cool trees with exposed roots

view from side/top of falls

Take my word, Gooseberry MN State Park is more gorgeous in person. I highly recommend going OFF season (Summer/Fall is peak).

We headed to a small SNA (State Natural Area) that we never took time to see on previous visits. It is known as the "pink rock beach" or Iona's Beach. Named after the women who donated it, so that others could enjoy this rare beauty.

scenery on the way

we were not alone

they were not kidding, every single rock had pink tones



closer look at the rocks (via iphone)

there are many learning opportunities

With sandwiches packed, our next stop was the very popular and frequently photographed Split Rock Lighthouse area. The actual light house area was closed for repair. Normally you can walk around it, not in it. Been there done that, so it worked in our favor. Less people!

Split Rock Lighthouse

Our picnic was planned for the much less visited shoreline, below the light house. It is my favorite spot on the North Shore.

The shoreline is massive rock boulders and stacks of HUGE rocks. We had the area to ourselves, other than a couple that walked down before us. They went to a different area and we couldn't see or hear them. 

Having a picnic with Brad so close to the lake, listening to waves, was heaven!!! I learned as a young girl, food tastes better al fresco ~ and it is an experience. My favorite part of our mini vacation.

north east view (lighthouse in distance)

view to the south

Other delicious meals were at the lodge restaurant. Reservations required. Before supper, we enjoyed one last hike at Cove Point.

Another delightful rocky hike. The actual point was pure rock. It would have been A LOT easier to climb the point without my heavy camera and mid-lens dangling from my neck. I wasn't missing out and just climbed more cautiously. 

Killdeer away

cute fish house from previous cove owners

heading out

the actual cove (lodge & fish house on left)

cove point was amazing

surrounded by such a powerful lake

(25 secs)

We were exhausted in the best of ways. After another delicious lodge supper (best salmon I've ever had) we were back in our room. Enjoying the ever changing views. Sparkles included.

8:22 pm

9:01 pm

9:04 pm

The next morning, before heading home we rode our bikes. We tackled a more discrete section of the Gitchi Gami bike trail. Who wants to ride right next to a highway? Not me. Have to admit, biking was my least favorite part of the trip. We did it and I survived ha haa!

The trail was beautiful. I was recovering from compromised lungs, making the non-stop steep hills more brutal. Constant shifting is not my idea of a relaxing bike ride. Not to mention the trail itself was patched every few feet. Thunk-thunk, thunk-thunk. On repeat. No doubt from natures elements. With that said, I would like to try another area of the trail. Under different circumstances. 

us at lake picnic

Our short trip was a welcome get-a-way. The very next day (Sunday) we took our kayaks for our first float, near home. It was memorable and a great way to kick off Spring, with a~bunch~a firsts! 

Tick, Tack, Toe we had three fun days in a row!!