Full Moon

When the evening started Friday night, there were clouds and a thunderstorm.  But then the clouds cleared allowing me to capture a few full moon photos.

Some clouds floated by....

On Saturday night I took a couple more photos...

Road Construction in front of Museum, Sea Plane, and White Crane

I must admit that as the summer has wound down this past couple of weeks, I have not had as much energy to take care of all the things in my life -- such as this blog.  In September I will have more time and energy since the museum's hours will shorten to the shoulder month schedule.  In September the museum will be open daily from 2-5pm except Saturdays from noon to 5pm. 

If you visit the museum during the next week or so, please be advised that the county is repaving the road in front of the museum.  They are still putting down gravel and re-contouring the street.  In the end the repaved road will not flood the way it has since the new water system was installed, but it will be a construction zone in the mean time.  The museum will be open, but you may want to park around the corner on the side streets located either east or west of the museum.  Please call 906-494-3000 during museum hours for more information.

The photos below show the construction in progress....

Last night I went and visited friends, Carol and Len, who live up on top of the hill above town.  The first photo below is of the inner harbor lighthouse.

Then we heard a sea plane taking off.  I was able to get a few photos...

While we were talking, a white crane flew overhead and landed in a tree.  I am not sure if I have seen this large bird in Grand Marais before.

Hummingbird and Beach Photos

It was a busy music festival weekend.  Since I was hired to teach an agate class on Sunday morning and I had plans during the evenings -- I didn't even get time to go over to festival to take photos. 

While at home I captured a few photos of a hummingbird that controls, guards, and protects the feeder at all times -- every day.

Last night I was able to spend a bit of time on the beach.  I went snorkeling -- it was fantastic!  Although the water was cold for about a minute, after that it felt great!  I just love snorkeling off shore, pulling myself forward by grabbing the boulders.  It really feels like flying!  I only took a few photos of the beach and sunset.

Unusual Museum Visitor

The other day a couple came into the museum with a parrot.  With permission, I fed the bird a pea pod.  He ripped open the pea pod and ate the peas.  Then, he spotted the box of tiny Lake Superior agates.  He loved them and continuously tried to pick up and examine each one.  I didn't know that parrots love agates!  He did not try to swallow the agates.  He just wanted to touch them!

More USB Microscope Camera Close Up Photos and More

Yesterday I decided to pull out my USB microscope camera and capture a few images.

First, a Lake Superior agate spirit stone that has a hole all the way through the specimen.

Nice spherical formation in a Lake Superior lace agate.....

The same Lake Superior agate also has several broken membrane bands that were reincorporated into the final agate....

Brazilian agate....

 

This is the view of Lonesome Point from my chair at the museum....

 

Apparently a large bear is hanging around my property.  There are four large piles of scat....

Grand Sable Dunes Sunset

Thanks to friends, Susan and Doug Moore, for a great evening visit.  I especially enjoyed watching sunset from the dunes.

Flowers, Wildlife, and More

For today's blog posting I have a collection of photos that I have taken this week including some of flowers, critters, and more.

When I picked up Jamey and Lois the other night to go to Newberry, I captured photos of the frog who has taken up residence in their new pond.

Flowers in their yard....

No, we were not this close to a live cougar.  This cougar/mountain lion was stuffed and on display at Taquamenon Falls.

Vegetation above the falls....

Milkweed in a nearby field.  We did see some Monarch butterflies as well.  Given their declining numbers, everyone should plant milkweed in their yards.

In the field there were lots of grasshoppers.

Another flower...