Carlin Lake Association

Bargain Bird Seed

Often during the winter I hear our neighbors talking about where the least expensive sunflower seeds can be found. For those who have feeders up for our winter birds it makes financial sense to find the best deals that we can. This year there is an easier way to conserve $$$ and it won't cost you I thing. Just invite this unusual robin-sized bird to spend some time near your home.

 The Northern Shrike (aka, northern grey shrike) has been hanging around the west side of Carlin Lake this winter (and probably elsewhere as well). Having a shrike at your feeder is to the bird population what a wolf in a deer herd would be. Wolf in, deer move out. Small, grey, with a distinctive hooked beak and black wings the shrike has feeder birds on its menu. He's not there to eat your sunflower seeds but he's happy to make a meal out of those that are eating them. 

A couple of weeks ago we came home from a few days away to find a bunch of blue jay feathers on the ground near the feeder and not a bird to be found at the still full feeding station. The next day he returned to his newly discovered hunting ground and to Ann's surprise landed on her office window. We saved a lot of money over the subsequent few days as filling the feeders became an unnecessary daily activity. When the Northern Shrike moves in other birds move out. So if you're wondering what happened to your feeder birds this winter look high in the trees. You may not be alone in enjoying watching birds at your feeder!

 

 

 

 

Still winter in the woods

 

We woke up to a beautiful, fluffy new snow this morning---six plus additional inches on the ground.     Maybe this photo out our window helps those of you someplace warm see how deep the snow cover is?

 

And another cheerful thought for today:  the recent Time Magazine has articles about longevity.   In the main essay, the writers reinforce what we already know about friendships--and reminds us how grateful we are to have terrific friends in our lives.

"A 2017 study found that it can be friends who matter most.  The study looked at 270,000 people in nearly 100 countries, and found that while both family and friends are associated with happiness and better health, as people aged, the health link remained most for people with strong friendships."  

  

On Sunday night

 

1) The snow that was forecast for Saturday and Sunday hasn't materialized.   We will see what tomorrow and Tuesday bring.    Most folks here are wanting more snow to spruce up both snowmobile and ski trails.

(The unrelated photo is of Lake Superior, taken in Ontanagon MI.  This was on my free "Daily Ray of Hope" subscription from the Sierra Club, and I think it's lovely.)     

 

2) Here's a reminder to vote on Tuesday in the primary election for Wisconsin Supreme Court.    One conservative candidate and two progressive candidates are running to be the two candidates in the April election.    Only one item is on Tuesday's ballot, but it's an important one, since terms on the Supreme Court run for 10 years.

 

3) Do you often shop online and order from amazon?    If so, Chuck reminds us of a very easy way to donate part of that purchase price to the Presque Isle Library.    It costs you not one penny more.   Just start out on the home page of the Presque Isle Community LIbrary, and click there to shop on amazon.    A percentage of what you spend will be automatically donated to the library.

 

4) And one more library-related thing:   Shelly at the library has places for a couple more regular volunteers. You know it's a fun and interesting place to be.   If you'd like to learn more, just give Shelly a call or ask for more information when you visit the library.

  

What I learned by reading the paper

 

1)  Our neighbor Jason Bricco has been named to the Dean's List at Northland College in Ashland for the first semester.   Good for you, Jason!

 

2) Efforts by town chairman Marshall Reckard to lower the speed limit along our end of Hwy P have not been successful.   Vilas County Highway Supervisor Nick Sholtes stated that Hwy P carries only 170 vehicles a day, and that his committee "felt the present warning and advisory speed signs are doing their job with no need to reduce the speed."  

When asked whether he would walk along Hwy P, Sholtes ironically responded, "No."

 

 

3) Free at the Presque Isle Library next Wednesday, February 21st, at 1:00, the film "Wonder," starring Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson.    Remember that the library's lower level now has a large screen, excellent speakers, comfortable chairs, and free popcorn.   The book and movie "Wonder" tell about a courageous boy with facial differences, starting at a public school for the first time.  A "tear-jerker" and "heart-warming," reviews say, in the most positive sense!

 

 

 

 

Just plain cold

 

Wherever you are, you know it's been a very cold start to February.   Again this morning, our thermometer read 20 below zero.   

Have any of you kept track of how many below zero mornings we have had?   I wish I had.  

Other than the weather, we don't have much news.   Stay warm and stay well.

 

 

 

Cold, cold Northwoods morning

At Carlin Lake this morning, the thermometer read ten below zero, with wind chill factors of minus twenty to minus thirty predicted.   Now mid-morning, it's about five below zero, with the wind whipping snow flurries around.   The first day of February feels a lot like our January days did!

For the first time that I have noticed this winter, as the sun rose above the horizon, we were greeted with sun dogs on either side of the sun.   

Following, I have copied and pasted a blog post I wrote in 2014.    The top picture was taken by neighbor Gail Speer at Katinka Lake  (It's hard to tell which is the sun and which the sundog)  and the bottom photo was copied from the internet.

  

    

 

By Googling, I learned that sun dogs are created during very cold weather by ice crystals drifting in the air.  When the sun is still low in the sky, the crystals act as prisms and bend the light passing through them, to create the rainbow-like effect.   Thus, there are always two, one on each side of the sun along the horizon. 

 

(f you are of a scientific bent this morning, you can click to enlarge the diagram above, showing how the sundogs are formed.)

As I enjoyed the sight of these sundogs, I was taken back to my girlhood.  I can almost feel myself, sixty years ago on a frigid Iowa morning, riding a school bus with windows coated with frost patterns.  Even then, I knew I was seeing something special.

(This photo comes from the internet, taken in North Dakota.   The flat land shows the relationships perfectly.)

Stay warm!  We're expecting another cold week in the Northwoods.