Black's Cliff Birch Bark Blog

Excerpt: The other day painting at the lake I brought my camera down and nothing interesting was going on with wildlife stopping by or projects. I should have known that when the afternoon started out with Steve dressed in a sheet (Anyone else see the similarities between Grandpa Maynard and Steve?) it was going to be an interesting day at... Read more

Excerpt: Poe and I jumped in the car and headed down to where the road meets the water for sunset on the lake with the ducks and fish. We caught some amazing pics. Sit back and enjoy a sunset on Lower Kaubashine This is my favorite picture. Was in the right place at the right time with wonderful lighting. Could... Read more

Excerpt: I took this pic for anyone dreaming of a row boat on Lower Kaubashine on a warm afternoon I am dreaming of those quiet moments in a row boat too as the number of small projects keeps growing. Some how we all decided the blue dock needed some painting before it goes in. So a few afternoons will be... Read more

Excerpt: When folks are visiting the area and not here year round, and I tell them we are in a severe drought that is going on years they do not completely understand just how much rain we are short. I copied these stats out of the Lakeland Times showing how much precip we have been over or under since 2000 200... Read more

Excerpt: I swear in my next life I am going to be reincarnated as a dog. When even on vacation does anyone get this relaxed? Dogs have life figured out. Poe was watching over the beginning of the spring painting season It is officially spring when the paint bucket comes out. I kept the camera with me to take pics... Read more

Excerpt: I had this pic sent to me from the Eberle Family on Spring Break in Key West thinking of Minocqua. Ellen pictured with her boys is my tech guru that got wireless internet going at the resort last summer. Thanks Ellen many appreciate your knowledge see you in August... Read more

Excerpt: I love this pic, it shows the determination of squirrels. I recently moved our squirrel flipping bird feeder back to its summer spot hanging off a tree. I did not apparently move it far enough out on the branch. This squirrel wisely avoided the bottom rail that will flip him off. One paw is keeping him on the tree... Read more

Excerpt: We recently invested part of our tax return to get a 5 place bike rack for the mini van. The inspiration to do this was to give us the ability to go over to Boulder Junction to explore their beautiful trail. If you have never taken the time to go to this paved trail it is a must do... Read more

Excerpt: I picked up these 2 old wicker couches a month ago. They will not be staying the colors you see. I have usually cleaned wicker with a bucket of water and a scrub brush but getting all the dust and dirt out of all the crannies and crevasses can be a nightmare. I had a tip given to me... Read more

Excerpt: Morning mists are back. I broke out my telephoto lens to experiment this morning. I have bought the ESO Cannon Book for Dummies and plan on experimenting more as I try to learn the ISO and aperture. Some people can off the top of their heads explain the 2 things in some other language that the rest of us... Read more

Excerpt: It is a gloomy April day and I think I saw a couple of snowflakes. No inspiration for photography today, turning on the heat in a cabin and spring cleaning an oven is more in order than being outside. I did stop at Ace Hardware and got some paint in anticipation of better weather next week for the beginning... Read more

Excerpt: For all those Wildlife lovers out in Blog land. The Northwoods Wildlife Hospital has joined Facebook and updates all sorts of neat and interesting info about their animal rescues and pics. Become a fan by looking them up and find out about Hortence pictured above on Facebook. While you are at it Cliff Black our mascot also is on... Read more

Excerpt: The ice has finally left the lake. It was absolutely still this morning and the lake reflections are back. Beautiful morning! I believe that is one last chunk of ice floating across the lake. Lake Minocqua was still half covered with ice this morning but not for long. Temps are hitting 70 today... Read more

Excerpt: http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/article/20100330/WDH0101/100330038/1581&located=rss Check out the link above for a story of a fleeeing car from police in Tomahawk with theme to Dukes of Hazzard... Read more

Excerpt: We thought we were off the hook this year with ice going out and leaving the docks alone. This afternoon a wind swept up and broke off a sheet from the otherside of the lake and drove it into our shoreline. It was time to do some ice breaking or the docks would be splinters What Adventure are we... Read more

Excerpt: View off the hill this morning of the receding ice. Sparkles from the water are back I have a funny feeling we will be heading out in this boat later in the afternoon to do some ice smashing. Creating rivers in the ice... Read more

Excerpt: Our 2010 winner is our first 2 time winner, Linda Wrobel. If my memory serves me right, Linda won the first Ice Out contest. She is pictured here a few years ago bribing Cliff with Chocolate Cake. Congrats to Linda, she picked the earliest date of April 2nd the pot of 75 dollars goes to Linda and 75 dollars... Read more

Excerpt: Poe would like to report that one of the favorite spring passtimes happened to day and he kept an eye on things. It was time to roll the first boat in the water and do a little ice smashing. Poe made sure the antics were kept away from Cliff at his post on the lake Cliff left alone at... Read more

Excerpt: Not much is going on with our buddy Cliff. The lake is frozen solid and he is at his post He is looking like he is ready for the long haul. Atleast he is not covered and buried in snow any longer. Spring is in the air... Read more

Excerpt: Snowmobile entrance to the lake. Snow compacted down the ice and it is the only spot to get on the lake. Why go out on Lower Kaubashine.... To deliver a snack to ice fishermen Safe Ice? They told me it was safe..... and then asked for Sprite and Pretzels for a snack, could I bring them out Shore line... Read more