"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished."
— Lao Tzu
Sunday rendered a beautiful day for a winter hike at Devil's Lake State Park. While the wind was brisk at times, it calmed by late afternoon, making for a more enjoyable trek. The main goal of the outing was simple: to log some steps and get some fresh air. Oh, and look for birds, too, of course. During this time of year, it's all too easy to stay cooped up indoors, but getting outside is essential for both body and mind. Since the trail were still covered in ice and snow, Sue and I put on our "Diamond Grip" Yaktrax to help prevent any slips or falls—no more broken bones, please!
While hiking Grottos Trail along the east bluff, it's wise for birders to keep their eyes and ears open—Townsend's Solitaires are often found near Devil's Doorway at the summit. Their soft whistle calls may be faint, but the trained ear can pick them up even from the bottom of the bluff.
No matter how many times Sue and I hike this trail, we can't help but remember the 2020 homicide. A 24-year-old man from Wauwatosa was found dead on the trail, the victim of a fatal stabbing. The case remains unsolved—situational awareness and caution, always.
Partway down Grottos, there's a panoramic view of the bluff where solitaires are known to winter. I set up my spotting scope and began scanning the cliffs, panning back and forth along the edges and treetops. As I panned, a bird-sized shadow caught my eye, moving across the rocky face. I moved my scope a little leftward, and there it was—perched in a tree, right in front of Devil's Doorway.
Bingo!
What this photograph lacks in quality portraiture might, perhaps, be made up for in technical digiscoping achievement—the gray songbird was several hundred yards away and this was a hand-held smartphone shot at 60x. Though I don't generally mind hiking up the bluff to get closer views of this species, we weren't really prepared for that degree of effort this day.
Devil's Lake itself is frozen over with ice that appears to be nearly a foot thick, plenty safe to walk across. We didn't go all the way to the other side, but nearly to the middle to have a look around.
As the sun began to sink in the west, marking the close of another adventure, we were starting to get a little hungry—it was time to find a place to eat. We settled on Vintage Brewing Company in Sauk, known for good beer and relaxed atmosphere. We both ordered the grilled pineapple salmon, served with smashed baby red potatoes and green beans. It was every bit as delicious as it sounds, hitting the spot perfectly after a day spent in the outdoors.
All images © 2025 Mike McDowell