“Spend as much time as possible on mountains, in small boats, or otherwise out in the weather; if you never get wet, cold, exhausted or scared, you won’t properly appreciate being dry, warm, rested and safe.” ~ Peter Jay

"I’m an adventuring river rat at heart. Put me on a floating piece of driftwood and I’m happy." ~ Christina Glauner

"There’s folly and foolhardiness on one side and daring and calculation on the other." ~ C.S. Forester's Horatio Hornblower novels

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

La Framboise

I paddled around La Framboise Island last night. It was enjoyable paddle and the critters were numerous! First was a buzzard of some type. I am no bird expect, so if anyone can tell me what it is for certain I would be appreciative. If I were to guess, I'd say a turkey buzzard. Wikipedia just informed me that the Turkey Buzzard (or Vulture) is the most common type, so that is probably correct.That was the closest I have ever managed to get to a buzzard... not that I can get much closer t than I did last night.

Later in the trip, I entered the small channel between a sand bar and the island proper. For the first time in weeks there was enough water to get through.

I was unable to get my camera up in time to catch a heron or crane as I entered the channel. Again I am not good with birds, so I am not sure what I saw. It was a wading bird and was mostly if not completely white.

I also captured this nice photo of a fawn. He (or she) took off downstream ahead of me.
Later on I heard a lot of rustling in the rushes and saw a duck come flying out as if being chased or spooked. I never saw what chased the duck up, but it seemed or I assumed it to be rather small from the sounds. I would guess some sort of small mammal.

Not much later I saw a doe and fawn (possibly the same fawn) take off across the channel and into the island proper.

On my return journey, along the Pierre side of the island I came across a couple with recreation kayaks enjoying the shaded water along La Framboise.

I didn't have my gps with me, but from previous paddles I know the trip was about 6 miles, maybe a tenth or two above.
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  1. Phil BJuly 1, 2009 at 8:36 AM

    The bird that you have pictured is indeed a Cathartes Aura, or turkey vulture. Throughout the midwest we have a plethora of these birds. Quite often, when the turkey vultures arrive in the spring from their yearly migration (usually to Central America)most of the bald eagles leave for air spaces that are less populated. The turkey vulture represents direct resource competition for the bald eagle, who prefers scavinging, when possible, over hunting and killing its own food. The turkey vulture is a pure carrion eater, thus reducing the amount left for the eagles to scavenge.

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