Where Eagles Dare

I just came across these photos from one of our visits to La Crosse back in November.  The bluffs that line both the Wisconsin and Minnesota sides of the Mississippi River are home to a growing population of bald eagles.  It's always a thrill to see them soar over the wetlands and parks that surround La Crosse. This pair was taking a break high up in a tree in Pettibone Park.

Below is a close-up of the fellow on the left.  I sure wouldn't want to be the prey in his line of sight!

Autumn in Pettibone Park

The gazebo at Pettibone Park, located on the Mississippi River in La Crosse, Wisconsin, was built sometime in the first half of the 20th century.  It's a popular spot for wedding and senior portrait photographers, and has housed many parties, picnics, and events over the years.

Skywatch Friday: Westward Ho!

A "front" of clouds moving through provided a spectacular sunset view (taken while facing west on Capitol Drive in Pewaukee).

See more SkyWatch Friday photos here.

SkyWatch Friday: Candle Lanterns

This young family was lighting and letting sail several billowy candle lantern balloons over Pewaukee Lake this evening.  So pretty against the deep blue of the sunset. (Sorry for the grainy photo - this was taken with  my shaky cell-phone!) See more "SkyWatch Friday" feature photos here.

Red Door at the Old School

Autumn brings back memories of walking to and from good ol' Harry Spence Elementary School in La Crosse, Wisconsin, back in the 1960's. Still looks the same, except they painted the main entrance doors red!

Caterpillar

Not sure what type of butterfly or moth this tan furry caterpillar will turn into - but he sure was cute and fuzzy. Reminded me of a muppet! :-)

Parker Pears

Our neighbors have a beautiful "Parker Pear" tree in their front yard. It's healthy and compact and each year in early autumn bears these gorgeous juicy, red fruits. The only challenge is keeping the bees at bay while picking them!

Gothic Autumn

As you drive east on Cass Street in downtown La Crosse, toward the Mississippi River Bridge, you will pass this very old gothic mansion. The chill in the air and the changing color of the leaves lent an eerie feel to its presence on this early autumn afternoon. One can almost imagine Norman Bates peaking out from one of the upper windows!

Snowman Lamp Post

Similar to the Halloween pumpkin lamp post covers I posted earlier this fall, many of the neighbors have put a top-hatted snowman on top of their lights this holiday season. Below is another view taken from a distance.

SkyWatch Friday: December Sunset

Taken outside a shop on Bluemound Rd. in Brookfield, the sun is setting farther and farther in the southwest sky. On the Winter Solstice (Dec. 21) it will reach it's lowest point here in Wisconsin, and we will have our shortest day and longest night to welcome in the winter.

See all SkyWatch entries here.

Jimmy John's

A favorite area sub sandwich shop is "Jimmy John's." This particular location is on Brady Street in a converted brick fire-station/garage. Taken about a month ago during one of the last nice days of autumn, patrons are are eating at the tables outside, enjoying the warm sunshine before it disappears for the next six months.

Holiday Spirit x10!

This holiday light display is located on One Mile Road in Lisbon, WI. It's a residential street, just a mile long, ending with a farm house that sells Christmas trees.

Believe it or not, this house has actually cut-back the number of decorations they usually put up. In addition to what's currently there, last year they had a ten foot high revolving globe that said "Peace on Earth" in the front yard. You can also see just the corner of their back deck on the left hand side of this image, which is also lit up. Not visible in this photo is a giant lighted wreath hanging from the side of their house. Someone has to keep the electric company in business :-)

Dashing Through the Snow

I love the contrast that Kate's puppy, Harriet, makes against the white snow. Last weekend she had her first romp off-leash at the dog park in Hartland. After an hour of running, sniffing, chasing snowballs, and digging for mice, she was exhausted and more than a little damp! See her wrapped in a towel (below) on Kate's lap during the drive home.

High Bush Cranberry

Also known as Viburnum Opulus, the high bush cranberry shrub is a common sight Wisconsin woodlands. In the spring, fragrant white flower clusters adorn the bushes, and in the fall the leaves turn a beautiful magenta red. The berry clusters remain during the winter as food for wildlife. The berries of this shrub along Swan Road carried a mantle of snow after our recent blizzard, creating a pretty holiday postcard.

More Christmas Greetings

Another neighborhood Christmas light display. (Be sure to click image to see larger view.)

Ho-Ho-Ho

The neighborhood Halloween decorations have now been replaced with ones for Christmas. This air-inflated Santa waves to us as we pass by our neighbor's garage.

O, Christmas Tree

It started to snow here this evening - the first real storm of the season. While taking Nik for her evening walk around the neighborhood, we got a nice view of all the holiday lights and decorations that people have put out this year. This large Christmas tree was just beautiful, although because it's snowing pretty hard, it was challenging to get a clear photo.

Lots of schools in the area have already announced they will be closed tomorrow. With any luck, we may have a SNOW DAY from work, too!

Playing Possum

Eerily similar to the previous post of Phoebe sleeping in the sun, Nik and I came across this possum "taking a nap" by the side of the Swan Road. Although it appeared to have been hit by a car, fortunately, it wasn't a gory scene. It was simply lying upside down next to the road in the leaves. It's little foot is what caught my eye. Sort of reminded me of a little leprechaun hand - that could use a manicure. Kinda spooky!

Cat Nap

Now that December is here, the winter weather has followed. No major snow yet, but the windchill has settled into the teens and it can get pretty bitter when taking Nik for her final walk of the evening. Phoebe, on the other hand, has the right idea: a litter box in the basement and basking in the sun whenever possible!

SkyWatch Friday: Slip-Sliding Away

A blue sky frames this decrepit, gothic farm house in Columbia County, Wisconsin. It can be seen in the distance from I-90/94, and is located just south of the I-39 Portage exit. Traveling this route for years, we have watched the steady decline of this old house. It appears to be leaning more and more each year, and I'm sure will eventually crumple to the ground unless it is demolished. In the photo below, you can see part of the newer home built to replace it.

See all SkyWatch entries here.