Sax-Zim bog meet up.

[JayinMN]

Today jonny_redhorse, stfcatfish, jimalm and myself went down to the bog for a little exploring. It turned out to be a great day. We got some great shots. Okay guys start posting!

Here is one of the gray jays checking out the buffet in the back of the truck.

And a few others.

[Steve Foss]

Cool images, Jay.

I'm just about done downloading, then it'll be a matter of some sorting and post processing before I can post images a bit later.

Can't wait to see that other new thread with the ermine, either. It was amazing, watching the way that guy kept trying to get into yours and jonny's vehicles for the tempting taste treats that were there. It was all I could do to stop laughing at his antics long enough to take pictures. Get that thread going, man!

Sure was a great day in great company.

[jonny_redhorse]

I can only say it was one of the better or should I say best days in the bog ever!.....just a great funfilled day!....Going to be awhile to top it!...and great company!...here's some of my first images,will add more later...

and of course the most famous.......chickadee-de-dee

managed 1 quick image before this old baldy took off....

[Steve Foss]

Here are my bunch of feathered fiends. Thanks, jonny, jmalm and jayinMN for a sweet day.

I've got a few images of the unfeathered photogs, but they can wait until farther down the thread.

[PierBridge]

You guy's are on Roll!......WOW!

[finnbay]

I was so sorry to miss the outing, but family came first Thanksgiving weekend. Great shots! I can just see the caravan heading through the Bog! Great day, guys!

[MN Shutterbug]

Danged interfering family. Maybe there will be a whole different variety by the time we get there. Although, it sure would be nice to see that ermine.

[Dbl]

Great shots by all, looks like a great outing.

[jonny_redhorse]

Certainly understood Ken!....We missed your presence!..the meet just happened to fall on a holiday weekend....lots of winter left yet!......Here's a few imageS of the participating bog "hoppers" ....

Here's Jim (Jmalm) and Jay(JayinMN) thinking..."You ready to cross that swamp?...I don't think so!"

"You check the ice first Mr.Redhorse,Then I'll follow"

Moses and his staff about to cross the River Jordan (actually STcatfish"Steve" about to cross an abyss "ditch" on HWY #7 to chase a flock of elusive redpolls !)

"I think you guys got me on a wildgoose chase!"

"OK Mr.Weasel....We know your hiding...come on out!"

and so the light fades over the Sax-Zim Bog...it's been a good day...

[MN Shutterbug]

Is that the same purple coat that Steve wore last year? I'm surprised the ermine stuck around.

[Jim Almquist]

This was such a great day and the company that I got to share it with was just outstanding. You could not hand pick a better bunch then Jonny,Jay and Steve to share some memories in the bog. I have so many pics to share but I will just add a few for now.

[dockothebay]

Hey Boys! - Thanks so much for sharing your images and adventures with us. It appears to have been a great afternoon in all respects. The images are just great - birds, weasel and the boys!

Thanks Jonny for posting the map of the bog as well - we may be up in the area later this winter & I'd love to take a drive thru the famous Sax-Zim bog. I look forward to seeing more images when you get back in to check your stations too.

[Steve Foss]

Here are some other images of the cast of characters from yesterday.

Jim: Dang, I HATE it when he takes my picture

Jonny: That's it, the gloves come off

Jay: Get your butt OVER here, there's a white weasel!

[JayinMN]

Yup, Steve was off goofing around down the road and had to be called back to take pictures of the weasel. Geez....

I'm uploading some pictures from this morning. I had a cool encounter.....

[Steve Foss]

Well, hurry up, Jay!

And then shoot me an e-mail, will you?

[JayinMN]

Now now lets not rush the dial up, we don't want it to get made and disconnect me.

[Birdsong]

Thanks all for the vicarious journey! Pictures are wonderful. How do you all manage to find the eye in the chickadee? Mine always get lost in his black cap. Sweet gray jays.

[MN Shutterbug]

How do you all manage to find the eye in the chickadee? Mine always get lost in his black cap.

Lighting is everything.

[Steve Foss]

And after lighting comes post-processing. I use the shadows/highlights feature a lot in photoshop to bring out more detail. It brightens shadows and darkens highlights, revealing detail previously hidden.

[buzzsaw]

Daayem Stevo! You look like captain fashion out there in your purple coat and knee high white boots! Saawheet!

Just messing with ya of course. It looks like you guys had a great day!

[Steve Foss]

I could've worn camo, buzzy, which is my usual getup, but then what would Jonny have had to photograph?

[jonny_redhorse]

Those Steger mukluks are nice Steve....Someday I just may break with the bucks and get a pair.....someday ....but I think I'll pass on the purple anorak....One plus is if you get lost....the rescue teams would spot you faster ....I think there should be a study on color preferences of timber wolves.....They seem to like the "color purple"

[buzzsaw]

I could've worn camo, buzzy, which is my usual getup, but then what would Jonny have had to photograph?

Good point! I could use that coat to wear to the Vikes tilt tonight!

Okay, enough, I'm just playin' with ya. Hope we can meet up some time this winter when I get up in your neck of the woods.

[Steve Foss]

Yeah, Jonny, while the anorak is mostly for show, the mukluks are totally for go. Those things have been my primary footwear for the last six (going on seven) winters, and nobody could ask for warmer feet.

It's odd, buzz, that a Packers fan like me wears a purple anorak (I bought it used and couldn't pick the color) and a purple Otter ice fishing shelter (It was a gift and I couldn't pick the color).

[buzzsaw]

You secretly route for the Vikings and the Gopher mens hockey team... its okay, I understand!