Riveroflife

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Yesterday I took this sequence of a Red-talied hawk leaving a tree in St. Louis county.

I saw the first snake of 2010 yesterday at Castlewood State Park along the rising Meramec. Haven’t seen one for years. They were extremely common along all the rivers in southern Missouri, when I was young; they are expert at catching minnows. Taken with a Canon 100mm Macro lens.

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Taken Sunday (3/21) at Rockwoods Reservation near St. Louis, MO.

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I noticed yesterday (March 20th), that a White Breasted Nuthatch pair has been courting each other. There courtship antics include, jumping, bowing their heads, fanning their tails, carrying and presenting gifts to each other; flying short distances together from tree to tree, etc. This is actually the first time I have witnessed this. They should begin nesting in a week or so with good weather. Click to enlarge. Taken with a Canon 7D and a Canon EF400 f/5.6L lens at 1/1250 second.

Taken with a Canon 5D MKII with a Canon 15mm Fisheye lens in late afternoon.

Taken by me in December 1970. They still pumped gas at that time.

From Twin Bridges downstream in a Dwane Woltjen (St. Louis) made Ozark Canoe. One of the best river touring canoes ever made. It replaced my old town OTCA in 1966. I used this canoe until 1994, when it was picked up in a windstorm and slammed against a telephone pole. It broke in half.

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I found some pics of a few; it was an old hobby. Steve Thompson Bros 16′ – 1938, made in Wisconsin; Red (sold by Alpine Shop; 1992, $1900) Old Town Otca 16′ – 1962 very high grade with long decks and all mahogany trim; Old Town, Me.; White (sold by Alpine Shop 1994, $2000) Chestnut Canoe 15′ Bob’s Special – 1964 all white cedar; only a partial picture of honey colored interior; Red (sold by Alpine Shop 1994, $1800) Morris Canoe 17′ – 1901 twin of one hanging in front; Green (sold by me 1991, $3500) Not pictured; 1894 Gerish 15′, Light Blue with birchbark lashed ends (sold by me 1994 $5200) Morris Canoe 17′; 1897 hanging over cash wrap area (est. value $4000 – $5000) 1921 Old Town 16′ Charles River Green (sold by Alpine Shop 1993, $1800) 1922 Old Town Guide CS 17′ Grade Red (sold by Alpine Shop 1994; $1500) 1930 Old Town Henry Wicker Green 16′ Green (sold by Alpine Shop 1995; $1200) 1944 Old Town Guide 17′ Green High Grade (sold Alpine Shop; 1995, $1200) 1936 Carlton 18′ Guide Canoe Light Green (sold Alpine Shop; 1994; $1500) 1920 Kennebec 18′ Guide Canoe Light Blue (sold Alpine Shop; 1993, $1300) 1932 St. Louis Canoe 17′ Polling Canoe Red (sold Alpine Shop 199x, $2700) 1936 St. Louis Canoe Arrowhead model 17′ Red (sold Alpine Shop 199x, $2650) 1907 Pen Yan 16′ Canoe White (sold Alpine Shop (sold Alpine Shop 1994; $1200)

One of Missouri’s earliest wildflowers is in bloom now. This is the beginning of the opening of 100s of varieties across the Ozarks.

Click to enlarge. Canon 7D EF400 mm DO IS.