Author: michaeljordahl

Retired Miner, loves science, reading, carving, walking, recovering alcoholic

Deluge

My son Aaron and I didn’t plan on ever returning to North Dakota, but we heard about all the flooding in the Red River Valley, so we had to go check it out, despite the dangerous road conditions. We were about ready for an adventure, anyway, and what is an adventure without a little risk involved?

As we got closer to the river, the rain started coming down hard, and the water kept rising. Everything was underwater…everything!

Soon the fields were becoming lakes, and water began creeping up unto the roads. We considered turning around, but we were almost there.

Right after I took this photo, the water started to gush across the road, and I could hardly stand in the 70 mph wind gusts. Now we had no choice but to forge ahead.

This isn’t a lake–it’s farmers’ submerged fields as far as the eye can see. We turned around, defeated by Mother Nature once again.

Driving back (on a different road), it was so other-worldly to be flying down this thin strip of tar in the middle of the ocean. Spooky, even. We might not have made it to the river, but it was the first time in my life that the waves in the ditch were cresting and breaking!

–Photos by me

Aid for Ukraine

Swirling in my brain

Was a maddening refrain:

I can’t help but see the gore

I can’t help but feel the pain

I can’t help to end this war–

I can’t help Ukraine!

But wait–a small donation

Might help ease a little pain

And ease my own frustration–

I can help Ukraine!

–There are many places to

donate such as Rescue.org

Birds

I wanted to get some photos of birds this morning, but I had a dilemma: I could either take them of the birds at my backyard feeder, which were a sure thing, but a little boring, or I could take a walk down to the pond in the woods, which might prove more interesting, but might also be birdless. I decided to take my chances with the pond.

Cutting across a farmer’s field on my way to the woods, I ran into a couple of cranes standing around on impossible legs. The farmer’s don’t like to see cranes in their fields as they’re harmful to the crops.

When I got to the trees, I was surprised to find a turkey vulture sunning himself. Vultures must be the ugliest birds ever with their featherless heads and turtle-neck sweaters.

Once I was under the trees, I felt like I was being watched–and I was. Overhead, a marsh hawk stared at me with his keen vision until I passed. With so many birds along the way, I assumed I’d strike out at the pond.

I was not disappointed.

–Photos by me