What may at first glance appear to be a rare Spirit bear is actually Paczki, our 10-year old golden retriever. She's shaking off the snow after making the most beautiful snow angel. Since today is Fat Tuesday, also known as Paczki Day, we're lucky to love a Paczki all day long!

"Hey Peter, did we make a wrong turn or something? What's the deal with all of this river ice?" "Hmmm, not sure Paul, but sure wish we'd stayed down south a little longer. Whose bright idea was this?" "Not sure Peter, I just followed you . . . "

Sometimes you just have to double-check to make sure you got what you got . . .

The late afternoon sun kisses the wings of a bald eagle in flight . . .

This post is about Eastern Skunk Cabbage; there are no wildlife pics (sorry), just images (4) of the first native spring wildflower to bloom in this part of northern Illinois . . .

Juvie Eagle: "Look what I caught Uncle Baldy!" Uncle Baldy: "That's a mighty nice catch you have there young'un, thanks for all the fish!"

On the receiving end of "the look" from a Bald Eagle . . .

Found a pack of rare and ferocious golden retrievers in rural Illinois, and was able to capture a couple that were really going at it in the snow . . . mmmm . . . okay, these two are enjoying some faux fighting in the snow . . .

A Bald Eagle banks toward the evening sun above the Father of Waters . . .

Bald Eagle cruisin' the skies on a brisk winter day over the Big Muddy . . .