u/GeeEmmInMN

"behind me is the Minnesota state flag. If you can't handle that, shame".

Frontenac State Park.

I got to shoot some pics for a local non profit that I volunteer with. Event was to band/ring 4 falcon eyases/chicks. Parents were suitably pissed off, with the much larger female dive bombing constantly.

Not much room to move around, so I ditched the FE200-600G for the Tamron 25-200 VXD G2.

Sony A7rM4a.

**Birds were handled for the purpose of scientific research under a federally authorized Bird Banding Permit issued by the U.S. Geological Survey and in accordance with all state permitting requirements.**

Minnesota. USA.

Really enjoyed doing old person stuff today. Sitting by our pond, soothed by the sound of running water, watching quite a few Goldfinches chasing around the yard.

Such a bright and beautiful bird.

Sony A7rM4a. SonyFE200-600G.

A few weeks ago, when I posted a short clip of our pond up and running for the season, someone asked where the plants were.

The lilies stay in year round, on a ledge a foot below the usual freeze line.

My wife got the rest out of the sun room and into the pond today.

Still got hyacinth and lettuce on the way, and you know they won't take long to spread.

Anyway, enjoy my solitude. Sorry, no sound. It's windy as heck. But Goldfinches are calling and a cricket is chirping away like crazy.

Southeast Minnesota.

Had a great day recording a banding team that retrieved 4 eyasses from an urban location, weighed, measured and banded then returned to a very pissed off mum and dad. Two male. Two females.

Birds were handled for the purpose of scientific research under a federally authorized Bird Banding Permit issued by the U.S. Geological Survey and in accordance with all state permitting requirements.

As an Englishman, now living in the USA, I've found regular crisps here extremely salty. Not these. Great flavour and not at all too salty.

Local store had these on 2 for $5 so gave them a try. I'm going back for some more tomorrow. Yum!

Friends watching me plant up the boxes by our pond. Southeast Minnesota.

Sony A7rM4a. Sony FE200-600G.

These two were watching me plant up the beds by the pond.

The Garter snakes keep the frog and toad population in check.

The frogs keep the bugs in check.

Sony A7rM4a. Sony FE200-600G.

Driving back towards the Mississippi river valley, I stopped to appreciate the beautiful and graceful spiral of around 50 birds descending towards the water.

We're very lucky to have a wonderful environment for these big birds to stop over on the way to nesting sites in northern Minnesota and Canada.

Sony A7rM4a. Sony FE200-600G