Possums and Trains Don't Mix

It has been a pretty long week for me.  I've been sick most of the week, and actually still am a bit.  I've slowly gotten a bit better each day.  I don't stay down well!  I've been laying around watching TV and movies and thought I was going to go mad today, so I decided I was going out!

I went over to the Hennepin Canal Museum area and did a short, sloooowwww bike ride.  I didn't want to take too much out of myself.

My favorite bridges are the railroad bridges that cross over the canal, so I headed to bridge #4.  I haven't been here for quite some time.

I decided to ride instead of walk.  I tried a bit of a hike yesterday and felt pretty crappy when I got back.  The bike was perfect.  I just kept it in granny gear and kept it at about 2 mph:)

Once at the bridge, I wanted to go up top to get some photos.  I love black and white photos of old bridges.  I like how these came out.

I could see something on the tracks on the other side, so I crossed the bridge.  The sight was not a good one:(

Opossums were lying everywhere.  There were actually four carcasses of varying ages lying around.  All four were in the same spot.  I missed the best shot of the day shortly after this.  When I was done inspecting the carnage, I was going back to cross over the railroad bridge.  I took one look back and a coyote was sprinting down the center of the tracks headed right for me!  I was so surprised, I didn't even think to raise my camera!  That would have made an awesome photo, but as I finally decided to raise the camera, he bolted off the tracks and into the trees.  I'm pretty sure he was planning to scavenge a meal.

On the way back I did find some living wildlife.  A lone goose was hanging out on the ice and didn't seem to startled by me.

It was also nice to see a living opossum on this little trip.  This was a young one!

By the time I got back home, I was pretty worn out, but felt better that I got some blood circulating!  Finally.  I hate lying around.

A Bit of Winter Biking!

I spent the weekend biking in the snow on the canal trail.  I put in quite a few miles and really had a blast.  Below are some of the things that I saw:

I went to the Lock 21 area by Wyannet and found a great area where the water had not frozen.  There were 6 eagles there that all flew away as I rode closer.  There were also crows everywhere!

 American Crow Print

A not so great photo of an American Eagle print.  Had a little trouble getting focused because I fell thorough the ice:)  It'll have to do until next time.

Sunday, I rode to the Lock 26 area down to the Green River foot bridge.  I love this area and always find something of interest.

I found some pretty strange tracks and need some help with identifying (Trailblazer, are you there?).  Basically, this slide print was in the aqueduct 15 feet down, so I couldn't get a closer look.  I only had my point and shoot camera and couldn't zoom closer, and the tracks around the slide were not identifiable.

The only critter around my area that I can think of that slides like this is an otter.  Not sure what the little dug-out area is.  Just outside of the bottom of the picture is open water.

On the way back, just as I got back to the parking area, I see this big furry butt sticking out from a tree:)  It made me laugh as it was shifting back and forth trying to get further into the tree hollow.

I made some squeaking noises with my mouth and finally got the raccoon to turn around.

After a couple of shots, he took off higher into the tree.  After his hollow in the tree was revealed, I couldn't help but laugh even more.  He was really trying to fit a lot into a little tiny hole!

I look forward to a bit warmer weather so I can bring my good camera with on my bike rides.  It was just too darned cold to take it this weekend.  I have to admit the little waterproof Nikon point and shoot still gets the job done.