Loon

The Loon is one of the joys of te Northwoods. Kind of a duck that is not a duck. They are fun to watch as they paddle around a lake and suddenly dissappear as they dive for fish. In early summer you may find one with its babies on its back and their erie call sets the mood for a quiet morning on a lake.

This photo was taken near Boulder Junction in northern Wisconsin, here you will find loons, ducks, geese and lots of eagles. This is an area of Wisconsin that is the Northwoods. There are endless lakes filling the forest area. In addition to waterfowl you will find deer, bears, and great sport fishing.

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Listen to the loon:

Peregrine Falcon

World Bird Sanctuary

The Peregrine Falcon is considered the fastest animal on earth. When diving for its prey, it can reach speeds up to 240 mph. Peregrines are crow size, so not very large and live in urban areas where they can hunt pigeons.

 

Northwoods Eagles

One of the best places to eagle watch is Vilas County, WI.  Vilas County is home to hundreds of lakes in this Northwoods area. The eagles sit in dead trees watching the lake surface for unsuspecting fish. Walking paths along the lakes you can spot their large nests in the trees.

Chick here for my full set of Northwood photos. Click on the photo for more information. 

Summer in the Northwoods

A family of geese traverse Fishtrap Lake located in Vilas County, Wisconsin. It’s enjoyable to get up early and watch the wildlife around the lake. Geese, Loons, Eagles, Egrets and more. The fisherman sit out in their boats silently hoping for a walleye or musky to take their bait.

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Riverfront Sunset

Eads Bridge

A nice view of Eads Bridge with downtown St. Louis and the Arch in the background. The Arch signifies St. Louis’ status as Gateway to the West. Many westbound trails came out of the St. Louis area. In addition, many of the supplies, livestock and wagons were purchased here, making it, at one time, the fourth largest city in the country. The confluence of the Mississippi, Missouri, Illinois, and Ohio Rivers made it a great area for commerce.

Eads Bridge

Eads Bridge

Needing a railroad bridge crossing the Mississippi River at St. Louis, St. Louis bankers hired engineer James Eads to build the world’s first steel-truss bridge. Construction began in 1867 and it was dedicated in 1874. Giant granite piers support three arches and two decks. The top deck is the roadway and the bottom deck was for the railroad (now Metro Link mass transit). Pneumatic caissons were used for the construction for the piers, which were sunk 123 feet through mud to the rock bottom of the riverbed.

The caissons were pulled down in place using steel wire rope, manufactured on site. Seeing the usefulness of the wire rope several companies started manufacturing the rope for use in various types of construction. Not only did the bridge further open the West. Products developed for its construction helped build the West.

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Eads Bridge crossing the Mississippi

Mieeouri State Capitol

At the Missouri State Capitol, looking across a balcony, onto another parallel hallway is a mural of the St. Louis river front and Eads Bridge. At the end of the 19th Century, St. Louis was in the forefront of commerce in the United States. Riverboats on the Mississippi and the railway enhanced its status as Gateway to the West.

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Rotunda Murals

Missouri State Capitol

Here is another photo of the rotunda at the Missouri State Capitol. The paintings of Frank Brangwyn on the eye, panels and pendentive of the dome are visible from the ground floor. Art throughout the building vividly depicts scenes of Missouri’s history, countryside and people.

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Speaker’s Lounge

Speaker's Lounge

One of the most important rooms in Missouri’s State Capitol is the Speaker’s Lounge (or House Lounge). In 1936, Thomas Hart Benton was commissioned by Missouri to paint this mural, representing the social history of Missouri. It took Benton just six months to complete the incredible 40-foot mural. Now, the mural remains in the Missouri State Capitol Building and is visible to anyone who walks by or schedules a tour.

The mural covers all 4 walls and covers industry, riverboat commerce, slavery, politics, family life and literature. The section above the door depicts Huckleberry Finn and Jim. Tour guide, actually the Speaker’s assistant explains each scene to party represenatitives.

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