For Your Entertainment...

Hope you all enjoy this as much as I did! --LKR

Eagle Research

Ever wonder how little birdies are banded when living high up in a nest? This clip shows how! It also explains what they did with the eaglets I had in an earlier post, and why they do it. Interesting! --LKR

Best Buds!

Suryia the orangutan and her best bud, Roscoe! Enjoy! --LKR

Soaring Like Eagles!

Like good company, the Blue Angels never seem to stick around long enough, so I set out to see them one last time.

On the way to higher ground, an eagle flew into view. It wasn't exactly soaring at the time because it was being chased by two smaller birds..., but, oh, the freedom to be able to fly.... !The words to Steve Miller's song came to mind:

"...I want to fly like an eagle
To the sea
Fly like an eagle
Let my spirit carry me
I want to fly like an eagle
Till I'm free... ."

The Angels did circle around my destination (a lofty parking garage), and even soared directly above me, a few times. But it just wasn't quite the same as being at the show. Don't get me wrong, I was absolutely thrilled to see them any way I could!This audience endured two brief thunderstorms, but most of the show was under partly cloudy skies and thankfully otherwise dry.

I hope the Blue Angels will be free to fly here, again, in the very near future!!! --LKR

Sunday's Song--Once to Every Man and Nation

Once to Every Man and Nation

Once to every man and nation,
Comes the moment to decide,
In the strife of truth with false-hood,
For the good or evil side;

Some great cause, some great decision,
Offering each the bloom or blight,
And the choice goes by forever,
'Twixt that darkness and that light.

Then to side with truth is noble,
When we share her wretched crust,
Ere her cause bring fame and profit,
And 'tis prosperous to be just;

Then it is the brave man chooses,
While the coward stands aside,
Till the multitude make virtue,
Of the faith they had denied.

Though the cause of evil prosper,
Yet the truth alone is strong:
Though her portion be the scaffold,
And upon the throne be wrong,

Yet that scaffold sways the future,
AND, BEHIND THE DIM UNKNOWN,
STANDETH GOD WITHIN THE SHADOW,
KEEPING WATCH ABOVE HIS OWN.

--James Russell Lowell

Chippewa Valley Air Show

The Chippewa Valley Air Show was, as expected, awesome!

Thanks to the Boy Scouts for undertaking such an enormous event!The Golden Knights started off the show while the Star Spangled Banner was sung.

Comedy and aerobaticsFat Albert--he is one big bird!

Viper West taking off--way cool!The Blue Angels finished off the show!We sat--and stood--in almost four hours of cold, drizzling rain. Thankfully, we donned rain gear and, um, chair covers! (Someone left their umbrella in the van!) At least we weren't rained out like the first show was two years ago!

We're already looking forward to the next time this show's in town! --LKR

Air Show Reception

It was a real pleasure meeting the men and women who put on the air show!

Thanks to the Blue Angels, Golden Knights, Vipers (West), the very important "No Names" (as they called themselves), Chippewa Valley area Boy Scouts, Chippewa Valley Regional Airport, and many others who helped get this show back to Western Wisconsin! You all rock!!! --LKR

They're Here!!!

For two years, I've patiently waited for the return of my beloved blue and gold birds. So imagine my frustration when I could hear them loudly calling to me, but not being able to see them!

Okay, so I'm not talking about my brightly colored bluebirds or goldfinches. I'm referring to the Navy's awesome Blue Angels that are once again gracing us with their presence here in the Chippewa Valley.

My hubby, not trusting me to keep my eyes on the road if I were searching for them on my own, offered to take me into town to see them flying overhead. The above are the Blue Angels flying over the west side of Eau Claire.We were also rewarded with a sighting of Fat Albert on the northeast side of Eau Claire. The Airshow is this Saturday and Sunday at the Chippewa Valley Regional Airport. Tickets can still be purchased at the gate for $25. We can't wait to see them!!! --LKR

Raccoon in the Road!

Look at this little darling! Poor little girl was seen in the middle of the road, late one night, and then cowering in a damp ditch the next. I'm happy to say I've learned this three week old little sweetheart now is in good hands (literally!), and getting the proper nutrition, shelter, and love any coon would crave! --LKR