We are so excited to announce the baby robins hatched yesterday! Well, 3 out of the 4 did anyway. The 4th blue egg is still in the nest. We've been keeping a close eye on mamma robin, who moved back into her nest about 2 weeks ago, which happens to be on the utility box right outside the kitchen window, offering us a great view. We've been respectful of her, being quiet in the kitchen, trying not to scare her off of the nest. When she leaves to relieve herself or eat, we have clammered up on the countertops to peer inside the nest. We were delighted when 4 bright blue eggs were discovered. And ever since, we've kept a close eye on the nest any time she leaves it. But it was the kiddle's sharp eyes yesterday evening that noticed a tiny beak just barely visible from our angle. We all clambered for our cameras, eager to snap the first pictures of the newly hatched babies while mamma was still away. That picture wasn't quite in focus, but was the only one we have so far of any of the babies with their mouths open. They were all pretty sleepy yesterday, not that I blame them. This morning, while I was out for my walk to the lake, sweetie was busy with the camera again, and we were amazed that the little naked babies have already sprouted fuzz! We are just overwhelmed by all of the signs of spring here, so different than the muted signs in the city. Yes, we had birds at the townhouse, but not like this - not nesting outside our windows, not singing like crazy by the thousands right outside our doors. The green of chemically treated and pesticided lawns was not like the fresh green we see here, and the air did not smell so dewey clean. We are indeed inundated and delighted by all of these things, awed by the abundant blessings we see and here around us each and every day. Peace and blessings - Victoria

Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words. I snuck out for a walk yesterday, around sunset, and again this morning, after sunrise. Here are a few of the scenes that greeted me.

Quiet Country Living is a bit of an oxymoron. There are those man-made sounds that can be found within and without any city limits – traffic, lawn mowers, leaf blowers, hedge trimmers, construction… and then a few other man-made sounds more unique to the country – living in close proximity to a lake, we can hear boats motoring along all summer, and snowmobiles all winter. But what surprises me the most are the sounds of nature herself. When I walk outside on any given morning, I am nearly overwhelmed by the country chorus. Morning doves greet me with their plaintive cry, overlaid by the songs of the cardinals, red-winged blackbirds, chickadees, nuthatches, twittering red squirrels and drumming woodpeckers. If I wander down closer to the lake, the sounds intensify – song sparrows trill along the lakeshore, in between the territories of red-winged blackbirds. Seagulls cry overhead, interrupted by the loud honking of Canada Geese. Each new sound intrigues and delights me. If only I spoke the language of the birds, I would know in an instant the news of the day without ever opening a paper or switching on a TV. I stand this morning at the edge of the lake, who seems to be sleeping herself, barely lapping the sandy shore at my feet. I can see two birds far out in the water. They are too small for geese, but they are too far away to tell what kind of ducks they might be. I turn to gaze down the shore, and one of the ducks begins to flap its wings and raise its body out of the water. Something instinctually tells me this is no duck – I turn back to watch and am greeted by the sweetest sound of all – that of a loon trilling. I am instantly transported to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, a popular nesting ground for these magical birds, and the last place I have seen them or heard them cry. Are these two on their way up there? Is this small lake a rest stop on the highway of Loon migration?

Click here for a video to hear the loons calling. Alas, not speaking their language, I will never know, but their sweet song that fills me will carry me home and plant thoughts of the wilderness inside me again. Already I am planning my next escape – will I go alone, with my kayak? Or tandem, maybe with my daughter? The possibilities, like the chains of wilderness lakes themselves, are endless.

After eight straight weeks of having my weekends tied up with various obligations and travel plans, I was finally free to rest and recuperate last weekend. Sunday dawned sunny and bright, albeit cold, around zero degrees Fahrenheit, but I was determined to get out side. The bird feeder needed filling, there was a little shoveling to do after the 8” of snow that fell last week, the dog’s path had filled up again and I needed to snowshoe pack it back down, and just generally get outside. It’s been a long cold winter this year, and cabin fever is really starting to take a hold. I bundled up and grabbed my snowshoes from the garage, stepped outside and sat on the step, strapping them tightly against my Mukluks. Soon I was ready to set off on my adventure around the yard. I filled the bird feeder, then made one pass around the perimeter of the back yard, stopping by the sliding glass doors to stomp the dog trail, then realized on my way back I had not grabbed the camera and there were lots of cool things I had seen already. So stomping up to the house I opened the door and yelled to my beloved, who was kind enough to find me my camera and bring it over to me so I wouldn’t have to unstrap the snowshoes.

Chores out of the way I headed back around the house, looking for the tracks that had caught my attention on the first pass. I spotted the first set – probably a red or grey squirrel, and then some more, very small ones- mice perhaps, or some other small rodent. I followed them as they led over to our retaining wall, then looked at the wall to see if I could tell if they climbed up. When I stopped to look at the edge of the retaining wall, I couldn’t believe how the snow on each brick had been melting outwards.

After my investigation of the snow tracks and brick wall was complete, I returned to the steps in front of my house and took off my snowshoes. I sat still and listened for a long time. The birds seemed to be echoing my cabin fever, and were out in great numbers. They were already invading the bird feeder I had filled, and the little downy woodpecker that loves the suet was pecking away in the crab apple tree.

I could hear cardinals and chickadees practicing their spring songs, which differ greatly from their winter noises. They didn’t sound completely sure of their voices yet, they were mostly tentative songs, but so sweet to the ears after a long quiet winter. Sitting there with my eyes closed, I identified blue jays, nuthatches, juncos, finches, gold finches, the red-bellied woodpecker, I even heard, but did not see, the pileated woodpecker. I sat as long as I could before the cold seeped in through my Carhart clothing, then decided I should head inside and see what Kelly was cooking up for breakfast.

Next Sunday marks the return of Daylight Savings Time, a time which seems to signal to my spirit that spring really is returning, the days are lengthening and warming, and soon new life will begin popping out all over. Laura Erickson, prominent birder in Duluth, MN, tells us that the spring chickadee song is “Hey Sweetie-Sweetie.” I like that. I almost can’t help myself and whistle right back to them, ‘Hey Sweetie-Sweetie” in return. Many Spring Blessings –

Victoria

Well here it is folks, the long-awaited pictures from our New Zealand/Australia cruise! The web album contains some of my favorites chosen from over 1800 pictures Kelly and I took on our vacation. I have captioned them and marked the locations as well, so hopefully it makes sense as to where we are when you look at them. http://picasaweb.google.com/aspendance/NewZealandAustraliaCruise?feat=directlink Highlights of the trip: The lush New Zealand countryside! Although the weather did not cooperate at all (11 days of cloudy/windy/wet weather), it did not hide the fact that NZ is very beautiful. Karori Wildlife Sanctuary in Wellington. An amazing preservation project bringing native species of birds and plants back to New Zealand, including the rare flightess Kiwi, and the Kaka, a New Zealand bush parrot. All of the Botanical Gardens we visited in several cities. NZ was just starting its summer season, so all the flowers were in full bloom. Fiordland National Park, including Dusky, Doubtful and Millford sounds. Breathtaking! Meeting Australian wildlife up close and personal - including Koalas, Kangaroos, Wallabies, Little Blue Penguins, a Wedge-Tailed Eagle and many others. Spending time as a family for this once-in-a-lifetime vacation! G'day Mates!

In a “moment that will define a generation,” in front of a global audience exceeding tens of millions, Barack Hussein Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States yesterday. It was hard not to get caught up in the excitement of this momentous day. Not only because of the historical significance of our first elected African American president. Not only because of the record-breaking crowds on the capital lawn, the traditions, the dignitaries, the parade, the eloquent but pragmatic Presidential speech and call to service for each and every one of us. Not only because President Obama reminds us that America knows ”that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness, ” that “we have chosen Hope over Fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord,” and that “all are equal, all are free and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.” But because President Obama reminds us of something even more important – something we’ve long known but seem to have forgotten, that the way to prosperity is not through self-interest, that the foundation of our country was not built on fear or intolerance, but rather “hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism,” ideals that are still present within us, ready to be called forth by a leader like President Obama. Where were you on this historic day? What will you remember about it? I was in the basement of my home in Lindstrom, my internet cord stretched taught all the way from upstairs so that I could simultaneously keep connected to work and watch the events of the day on the only TV in the house. I have never watched an inauguration before. I have never had so much faith or belief in the power of a leader to bring this nation together to do the hard work required to heal our wounds and fix our problems. Will it be a perfect country because of this change in leadership? Will we create Peace on Earth, food in every belly, a home for every person? I wish I could say a resounding, “Yes!” But it is still up to each of us to live up to the challenges set before us, to embrace “a willingness to find meaning in something greater” than ourselves and our own self-interests. If we can succeed in what President Obama has called us to do, to come together, gathered across all of our differences, to “extend opportunity to every willing heart — not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good”, then perhaps, no, for certain, I will answer: “Yes we can!” "Let it be told to the future world ... that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet (it)." "WE HAVE CHOSEN HOPE OVER FEAR" For the President’s full speech please visit: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/inaugural-address/ For the President and First Lady’s first dance, please visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RRBYxZ7uxA

Well so far 2009 has kicked off to a great start. How could it not when you celebrate ringing in the new year with people you love, warm temps (well, warm being relative, compared to Jan. in MN), good food, live music, and a fantastic view of the Melbourne city fireworks from the 11th floor deck of the cruise ship Celebrity Millenium? It truly was a NYE to remember. Just last night we returned from this trip of a lifetime, a 14-day cruise in New Zealand and Australia, a trip we had been planning and saving for for over ten years. Between the two of us, we took over 1000 digital photos and captured many short (10-60second) videos of our trip. But don't worry - we won't post them all here! I will however be sharing some of the best highlights and photos of our trip in blogs to come, a nice diversion from the dark and cold January of a MN winter. So stay tuned folks, more of the "really good" stuff to come this week and next!