Maine to Texas and Back to Wisconsin

In English, Sagrada Família translates to Holy Family. It refers to the biblical family of Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, and Saint Joseph. 

Designed by the visionary architect Antoni Gaudí, the Basilica of the Sagrada Família in Barcelona is a massive, ongoing construction project. Its name and every inch of its architectural design carry profound religious and symbolic meaning.  Gaudi passed away 100 years ago this day of June 10.

The “Bible in Stone”

Gaudí designed the basilica to function as a visual theology. Every element represents a different aspect of the Catholic faith: 

• The 18 Towers: Represent key biblical figures. Twelve represent the Apostles, four represent the Evangelists, one is for the Virgin Mary, and the central, tallest tower represents Jesus Christ. [1]
• The Facades: Three grand facades visually narrate the life of Christ. The Nativity Façade celebrates His birth, the Passion Façade depicts His suffering and crucifixion, and the Glory Façade represents the path to salvation. 

The Harmony of Nature and Divinity

Gaudí’s design sought to intertwine the divine with the natural world. 

• Columns as Forests: Inside, the colossal stone columns branch out at the top like trees, turning the nave into a sanctuary that feels like a sunlit forest. [1, 2]
• The Light: The intricate stained-glass windows are purposefully engineered to catch the sun at different times of the day, with dawn light illuminating the Nativity and sunset light reflecting off the Passion

I asked ChatGPT to Identify:

This appears to be an American Bullfrog (American Bullfrog), likely an adult.

Key features visible in your photo:

• Large size and robust body
• Green face and tympanum (eardrum) behind the eye
• No prominent dorsolateral ridges (raised folds running down the back), which helps distinguish it from Green Frogs
• Rough, mottled olive-brown back
• The large circular eardrum behind the eye is characteristic of bullfrogs

The photo may show a male, as the tympanum appears quite large relative to the eye. In bullfrogs, males typically have tympana larger than their eyes, while females’ tympana are about the same size.

Nebraska fits very well with American Bullfrog (American Bullfrog), which is widespread throughout the state in ponds, lakes, marshes, and slow-moving streams.

Looking more closely at your photo:

• The large tympanum (eardrum) behind the eye is prominent.
• The frog lacks the long dorsolateral ridges that would extend down the back on a Green Frog.
• The broad head and heavy body shape are classic bullfrog characteristics.
• The green face contrasting with a darker olive-brown back is also typical.

One interesting detail is the foam and water around the frog. Bullfrogs often sit partially submerged like this during the breeding season, and males may remain near egg masses or breeding areas.

I’m about 90–95% confident this is an American Bullfrog.

For context, the other large Nebraska frogs it might be confused with are:

• Green Frog — usually shows distinct dorsolateral ridges.
• Northern Leopard Frog — has obvious dark spots with light borders.
• Plains Leopard Frog — also heavily spotted.

Your frog lacks the spotting pattern of leopard frogs and the ridges of a green frog, which strongly points to a bullfrog.

A rough estimate from the proportions in the image is that this individual may be 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) long, making it a fairly large adult.

Our family has called the Homeplace the farm my grandparents lived on and farmed, raising their children in Nebraska. A homeplace is a person’s birthplace, their original family home, or the specific plot of land where their family roots lie. More than just a physical house, it refers to the property, the surrounding grounds, and the emotional or cultural connection to your ancestral heritage. Thus stated by Merriam Webster. I thank my cousin Trish for doing such a great job keeping it as wild and full of trees and wildlife.

The barred owl, also known as the northern barred owl, striped owl or, more informally, hoot owl or eight-hooter owl, is a North American large species of owl.  This guy was spotted at the Maywood Park in Sheboygan. Up in a tree approximately 50 to 60 feet off the ground. Photo was taken with an 800 mm lens using a Canon R52.

I will often have a pop up photo on my iPad revealing a past memory.  Apparently Apple has this feature as a default enabled (and can be disabled if desired.). This morning a photo of a Scarlet Tanager popped up with an image that I had taken 6 years ago.  I had not seen one since – until today looking out into the densely treed area near the river behind our house.  The bright red in the distance really stood out even though it appears as just a small spot.  I was fortunate to have my camera with the 800 mm lens handy to capture the scene.  Here is the image from May 24, 2020 and today’s image May 24, 2026.  Needless to say, this must be their time to migrate!  And nature is consistent! Will have to be on the lookout every year on this day. He also has a similar pose, looking for insects like any good flycatcher.

In winter, Scarlet tanagers migrate to the montane forest of the Andean foothills of northwestern South America, passing through Central America around April, and again around October.  Male scarlet tanagers reach their breeding ground from mid-May to early June. Females generally arrive several days to a week later.  Scarlet tanagers are often out of sight, foraging high in trees, sometimes flying out to catch insects in flight and then returning to the same general perch, in a hunting style known as “sallying“.  (iBird Pro-Wikipedia)

I asked ChatGPT to identify the bird in the photo. Here is the result:

Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus)

This appears to be a Least Flycatcher, the smallest of the Empidonax flycatchers. Key identifying features visible in the photo:

• Olive-brown upperparts with a rounded head
• Pale yellowish-white underparts
• Two white wing bars on dark brown wings
• Bold white eye ring
• Short, broad bill typical of flycatchers
• Compact, round body shape

Why Least Flycatcher?

The Empidonax genus is notoriously difficult to identify visually, but the combination of the prominent eye ring, small size, whitish underparts with just a hint of yellow, and the overall “puffed up” posture points strongly to the Least Flycatcher.

Fun Facts

• Their distinctive “che-BEK!” call is usually the most reliable identification method
• They’re insectivores, sallying out from perches to catch insects mid-air
• Common migrant through Wisconsin in spring (like right now!) and fall
• They breed across Canada and the northern US, wintering in Central America

Given your location in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, this would be a perfectly expected sighting during spring migration in late May! 🐦