Merry Christmas - from the 'Ugly Sweater' Group

Skunk River Paddlers ~ Annual Waffle Paddle

                                                         Gary leads the way - with an ice pick.

The line-up.  It took a while to get all the boats down to the 'water'.

Skiing behind the canoe didn't go too well.....

                                                 Skunk River Paddlers Waffle Paddle 2013


The thermometer in my car read -5 degrees as I drove to the Iowa Arboretum for the Annual Skunk River Paddlers Waffle Paddle.  Due to snow, floods, drought, and ice every year the paddle is different, and this year was no exception for a change in venue:  all of the local waters were frozen.  There are always options below the dams, but we decided to 'kayak' the frozen river and save the dams for New Year's Day.  This group never fails to find entertainment on the water.

HaPpY HaLlOWeEn

'What Does the Fox Say?'

                                                    I love this!   Hard not to dance along...

      
                         

African Lion

                                                                               Blank Park Zoo

Before the Rain...

                                                                               
                                          View from Howell Station on the Des Moines River

Fall Kayaking in Iowa

                                                                             
Cooler temperatures require the proper gear and training; but Fall colors and friends make it all worthwhile.

   

Superheros

                                                                             
                         Halloween Superheros entertain the crowds at the Blank Park Zoo. 
   These two characters were especially convincing, and at the same time wonderful with the kids. I 'cut' them out of my original photo, because I didn't like the zoo background, and layered them into this street scene.  Unfortunately I can't find the name of the photographer who took the background photo.  It was available as a free wallpaper on the internet; but it's so much fun I'd like to credit the photographer if I could.

Crabtree Falls, Virginia

Barefoot, mid-stream in cold autumn water....only wish there were more time.

Alces alces - 'Twig Eater'

                                                                                 Shy Moose

 

Moose with an Attitude

Hiding

                                                             I'm hiding and you can't see me...

Cowbird

 I was exchanging door wreaths today and noticed that the old wreath had acquired a nest over the summer; but the eggs didn't hatch.  A cowbird (larger spotted egg) left an egg in with the little finch eggs.  I wonder if that's what caused the parents to abandon the nest?

Wyoming Images

Big Sky

                                                                       Big Sky ~ Under a Full Moon

                                                                            Little Car Shadow

                                                                                       Big Bird

Tetons~ Untamed

 

Skunk River Paddlers ~ Die Hard Paddlers

Great Ames Adventure Race 2013

                                                                    Paddle - Bike - Run
                                                                      Fun for all ages!

First Annual Red Rock Round Up ~ Lake Red Rock

Iowa State Fair 2013