Nashville Warbler

No, it's not what you think. I'm not talking about the latest singing sensation out of Music City.

I kept seeing flashes of yellow out of the window while still staying at the condo in Detroit Lakes. I was so happy to finally capture images of the bird. I then had to do a little research to identify it.

Nashville Warbler

Isn't He (or She) Lovely?

Pelicans Galore!

I woke up yesterday to sight of at least a hundred American White pelicans paddling around the lake. It was so much fun to watch them. A few times it looked like a feeding frenzy was occurring as the pelicans swarmed different areas near the shoreline.

This is my last weekend at the lakefront condo. It's been an interesting eight months with all of the different sights and sounds of experiencing life at the lake from Fall through Spring. I am going to miss the view and activity for sure.

Skywatch Friday - Winter Sunset

Most of the fish houses were off of the frozen lake when these photos were taken a few weekends ago. The lake is totally devoid of them now that the March 3rd deadline has come and gone. Hopefully Spring is not far behind!

Detroit Lakes, Minnesota

Linking to Skywatch Friday - a weekly meme sharing skies from around the world.

Winter Sundog

When will winter EVER end in Minnesota? The cold temps and sunny days are bringing more sundogs like this one captured a few weeks ago.

Linking to Skywatch.

Poles 'N Holes

Polar Fest was held a couple of weeks ago here in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. One of the activities was the Poles 'N Holes fishing derby. Basically, a several hundred holes were drilled in the ice and then occupied by fisherman for a few hours trying to win prizes. No warm fish houses here!

Each hole was about 10" across

Barricading the plowed out "streets" out to the fishing area.

Transporting participants out to the fishing area

Singing of the National Anthem before the start of the Derby

Scenes from the fishing area

Concession tent with food and beverages

First fish being weighed in - bonus awarded for being the first in.

Getting chilly? Warm up here.

This was an interesting way to spend a couple of hours on a Saturday afternoon. At least the sun was out!

Sunsets at the Lake

Friday, January 10th - Detroit Lakes, Minnesota

Saturday, January 11th - Detroit Lakes, Minnesota

I Want One

Wouldn't this be fun to play around in! (But what's up with the spare tire?)

Snow Drags

I went and watched my very first snowmobile drag races on Saturday. Stood on the frozen lake while the racers went flashing by. It was an interesting and exciting experience. Until my feet got too cold. I need a set of liners for my boots to help keep my toes warm.

There were all kinds of sleds being raced. From older models such as these that could pop a "wheelie"...

...to a more modern style like these...

...to these lean mean racing machines. Even the graphics are intimidating!

I noticed that some of the sleds and their drivers had to cross the scale after their races. Not sure if it was just the winner of the heat or what. It looked official, that is for sure.

In between the heats, sweeping of the racing lanes and some other kind of grooming took place. This contraption looked and sounded like a modified weed eater machine.

Some of the teams have invested quite a bit of money into their operation including their haulers. Check out the glass doors on the back of the trailer. Keeps the heat in so the team can stay warm! (on a side note...all of these rigs were parked on the ice.)

Here's one way to move a small racing sled around. Many of the larger sleds had their rear track up on rack that was pushed around on the ice (see the one Yamaha photo above).

Why would they move the sleds around like this? To not chew up the ice in the pits and damage the sled track. Look at the metal studs on them! That is how they get traction on the ice. I wouldn't want to get run over by one of those!

All in all, it was a fun couple of hours outdoors watching a new sport. You should try it sometime. Just bring warm clothes and wear snow boots to keep your feet warm. :-)