Shifting Gears.

It's been about 7 weeks since I left Wisconsin for the wilderness of Northeastern Minnesota.  The highlights are:  no more lengthy hotel life, no more constant shovel testing, no more construction monitoring, no more Scott Walker.  I will definitely miss weekly jaunts all over Wisconsin and all of the wonderful adventures they presented.  5 years anywhere is too long for someone with as much wanderlust as I have.  I'm embracing this new chapter, with all of its ups and downs.  Luckily, there are more ups than downs, depending on how you look at things.  The plan is to start a certificate program in Environmental Education this autumn.  If that doesn't happen, then, well, everything will turn out how it's meant to be. 

One of the best parts about Minnesota life so far is definitley the forest.  I'm just going to let the photos express what I've loved about the last 7 weeks. 

Forest Creatures

Completely unaware of us, giving us a show. So special!

A wolve's back paw.

Luna moth.

Beaver art.

An unhappy moose sow, fleeing the scene.

Not every creature is my friend.

Forest Sights

The Brule River, Gunflint District.

Murphy Creek, Laurentian District.

Fulton Creek. At least it was a creek until the beavers decided otherwise.  Tofte District?

An old railroad and sawmill camp, Laurentian District.

Forest Delicacy 

Bunchberry.

Starflower.

Gaywing or Bird-on-the-wing.

Iris.

No clue, but it's pretty.

I have no mushroom knowledge... yet.

We've got the dragon and the damsel... where's the knight?

Although I've worked and played outside and in the woods for years, I never have and never will like insects.  Except these ones.  As long as they don't touch me...

Dragonflies!

They are beautiful.  They come in all sorts of amazing colors.  They eat mosquitoes.  I want to put them on leashes and attach them to my clothes so they eat all of the mosquitoes that threaten me.

Damselflies!

All the same beauty and perks of dragonflies, with some minor biological differences.  I bet you see damselflies all the time and refer to them as dragonflies.  Until last week, I did too.   

Here's how to the tell the difference.  If you can't remember most of the details, just remember this:  When in a resting position, such as pictured above, a dragonfly's wings are spread out to the side and a damselfly's wings sit behind them over the body.