Category Archives: Crex Meadows
Do you have your jacket?
Dear Friends, this is a typical uniform for me when taking nature photographs in Crex or other places, from sturdy boots to sunglasses at all times. These items are necessary to stay warm and dry, the missing items in this image are a tripod and cap. On colder days a hooded sweatshirt and jeans, on warmer days i lose the sweatshirt, My father always said before we left the house, ” do you have your jacket”, lesson learned. Now if i could only teach my husband to bring a jacket because the weather can change so quickly and drastically especially in the spring. So do you have your jacket? til Tomorrow MJ
Horned Grebe Hairdo
Dear Friends, this Horned Grebe was found on a very windy day on Phantom Lake in Crex Meadows. A pair of birds were present but this one came very near the shore allowing me a closeup of his beautiful red eye and wild feathers. His yellow head feathers can be raised or lowered and when raised they look like horns from the front view. This day the wind has the lake stirred up and his feathers in a jumble. til Tomorrow MJ
Which one, Blue Wing Teal
Dear Friends, a slight decision problem this morning, which of these images do you like the best? This is a male blue-winged teal in a muddy hole, the top is the original colors and the bottom is a white-neutralized version, which one do you like? til Tomorrow MJ
Wild Cala Lily
Dear Friends, this wild cala lily grows in very wet ditches along Klarquist Road in Crex Meadows. I see it there every year and it is blooming this week. I use a telephoto lens to get close cause i don’t want to get my feet wet til Tomorrow MJ
Ring-Necked Duck Male
Dear Friends, this is a male Ring-necked duck who also has a ring around his bill in the spring. His ring around his neck is maroon on black and in the wrong light you cannot see it very well, while the ring around his bill is much more apparent, so i usually call these ducks ring bills. hahaha, til Tomorrow MJ 
Pasque Flowers in the Wind
Dear Friends, this group of pasque flowers (a wild crocus) was blowing in the strong winds of Crex Meadows. I was experimenting with the multiple exposure setting on my camera, this was five exposures in a single frame and photoed as the wind moved the flowers around, I liked how the greenery was multiplied and emphasized the fuzziness of these plants. til Tomorrow MJ
Afternoon with the Yellow Rumps
Dear Friends, yesterday we were again in the sharp tail blinds and after downloading all the images, i went to crex to see if i could get lucky, have to do your homework in the spring. Since a few flies had hatched, i thought it was time to look for warblers and sure enough, these yellow dumped warblers had returned to the northland. They move very quickly and after 90 minutes of fast shooting, i went home exhausted. This little male was busy protecting what he perceived to be his territory and was chasing off one female while allowing another to remain, he had clearly made his choice. til Tomorrow MJ
Morning in the Blind
Dear Friends, Wednesday was our first morning in the blinds of Namekagon Wildlife Area to watch the Sharp tailed Grouse dancing in the spring mating ritual. Not our first ever morning in these blinds , but the first this year. This male is almost in dancing position, but had stopped momentarily to give some verbal commentary. The morning was lovely but chilly, lots of sun and soon the birds just laid down and soaked up the sunshine, most of the real dancing took place just before dawn before there was enough light to photograph. Topped the morning off with breakfast with two friends from the cities then out to Crex to spend the rest of the day, perfection. til Tomorrow MJ
Afternoon with a Flicker
Dear Friends, spring has finally come to our northland and lots of outdoor activities to keep us outdoors. This Northern Flicker kept me company for a couple of hours this week while i kept my eye on a fresh wolf kill to see if anyone would return to the crime scene. When i first drove up i thought i saw a dog shape creeping away, but he did not return. I liked the high key treatment to reflect the brightness of our early morning sun. Excitement in the Crex Meadows as the ducks and other birdies are returning to find some nesting sites, til Tomorrow MJ
Ruffed Grouse
Dear Friends, this cocky fellow was stalking the ditches looking for a girl grouse, he was constantly flipping the feathers of his ruff, thus his name ruffed grouse, or as known around our household, ruffled spouse, love that joke, til Tomorrow MJ
MJ Springett 