Why I love Minnesota (um, in the summer)

[AustinBoston]

I was riding to the park-n-ride on a metro bus Tuesday afternoon.  Traffic was heavy enough that the bus was riding on the shoulder (this is allowed if traffic is slow).  I saw a large raptor out the window, and instantly recognized it as a bald eagle.  He had just taken a fish from the Mississippi and was flying west across the road, most likely to a favorite perch.

I lived in Massachusetts for 43 years, and never once saw an Eagle in the wild there.  They were there, but one had to go on a significant trek to see one.  This eagle was five miles from downtown Minneapolis.  It got me thinking about how much closer nature is in this area.

I saw a fox once in Massachusetts...once in 43 years.  I saw a fox once in Minnesota...once in 4 years.  I have seen more roadkill deer in Minesota (never mind the live kind) here than all the deer I ever saw in Massachusetts.  Just Monday, I pointed over to a drainage pond that was part of a new development, and showed PJay that there was a whitetail doe grazing near the water.  Every fall, several does come into our yard to eat crabapples.

Twice I've heard wild wolves howl in Minnesota.  The only wolves in Massachusetts are in zoos.

On several occasions, I've seen coyotes.  I also saw a couple in Massachusetts, where they were considered pests instead of a part of nature.

Every spring, we hear and see sandhill cranes overhead.  On one occasion, we saw a flock of several thousand snow geese come through.  Ducks, geese, loons (the official state bird), and a host of other birds fill the air.

It's not unusual to see a 'possum or a 'coon.  When we moved in, there were grey squirrels in the back, red squirrels in the front, and an albino white squirrel across the street.  Rabbits are seen in the yard almost every night (the cat keeps them from getting out of hand, though).  We used to have small animals living on our property in Massachusetts, but we didn't want to see them (except in see-and avoid mode).  They were skunks.

I've heard (but not seen) elk.

I should have moved out here a long time ago.

Now, who has a good cure for the pocket gophers that leave piles of dirt in the lawn?  Our cat has taken a couple, but not enough.  Never had them in Massachusetts, either.  Oh, and now we've got moles in the lawn.

Austin (slapping at the mosquitoes with a 2x4)

[Mpsabatt]

When I retired from the Navy in 1964 I went to work in Mpls. and moved the family from San Diego to North St Paul in Jan. They have never fogiven me. Feb. never got above zero F. The St Patrics day bizzerd was awsome.My parents were lucky enough to get the last train out befor the flood closed things down. It was really family togetherness combing the tics out of the girls hair at night. Twelve people died the night of the tornadoes. Not one but one after another from about 7pm to midnight. Another family togetherness night up against a south west wall, with a flashlight and map.That was in may. We arrived back in Ca. in June. My back yard is Yosemite NP. Two years ago we had a Bear come into our house for a look around.Bald Eagles nest at two nearby lakes. Don,t knock Mass. Your freedom to use the internet was born there.

[AustinBoston]

Don,t knock Mass. Your freedom to use the internet was born there.

As was a paycheck that would be the envy of 99% of this board (if not 100%).  Alas, doing the same thing here got me a 40% pay cut.  

The post was why I love Minnesota, not why I hate it.  I have one of those lists too...

Austin

[wavery]

AB,

I sure hope that no one you know was on that hwy 35W bridge that just collapsed.

[AustinBoston]

AB,

I sure hope that no one you know was on that hwy 35W bridge that just collapsed.

Not that I know of.  I've used it hundreds of times...used to be part of PJay's daily commute.  Watch for a detailed post.  This is a big catastrophy.

Austin

[wavery]

Not that I know of.  I've used it hundreds of times...used to be part of PJay's daily commute.  Watch for a detailed post.  This is a big catastrophy.

Austin

I've been watching it on TV for the last 4 hours. I just had to shut it off.

[mjsmith1223]

Having been born and raised in Minnesota, I know how great summer can be.  Except for the skeeters.  Haha.  I love winter as well.  Even when it's cold enough to freeze your nostrels shut.  Now living in Michigan I've found even more wild life.  My friend video taped a black bear wandering around in his front yard about a month ago.  Deer are everywhere.  On my way home from a job in the UP yesterday I saw several hawks crusing in the thermals.  Turkeys are plentiful, except during turkey season     During the winter bald eagles congregate on several rivers on the west side of the lower peninsula.  They are a breathtaking sight.  While fly fishing I've seen beavers and muskrat.  Once a muskrat swims though a hole, the trout disappear for awhile.

You're right Austin, it's great to see the wildlife as part of our normal, everyday, routine.

Mike