We were on our way to Santa Barbara to meet up with Julia for lunch on the pier. Julia drove up earlier to meet with a donor and let us know about this Big Rubber Duckie in Oxnard. We jumped off The 101 and circled back to the Re-Bath location. They call themselves the “World’s Largest Bath Remodeler.” I don’t know if that is true, but this is probably the largest Rubber Duck I’ve seen.
Oxnard Rubber Duck
We were coming into Colorado from the north on I-85 and stopped at the Welcome Center. While not absurd in size this heron is still a pretty nice Big Animal. We went into the Welcome Center and were greeted by the nicest people and free coffee. What could be better? Is it the attitude or the altitude?
Colorado Heron
In “The Goose Hunting Capital” as Oshkosh deems itself you can find this large flying goose at the corner of US-26 (Ave A) and Main Street across from the Oshkosh Superette. I’ve been to Oshkosh, Wisconsin and now here, I wonder if there are other states with an Oshkosh. By the way, Oshkosh is about halfway between North Platte, NE and Scott’s Bluff, both good places to visit.
Oshkosh, Nebraska Goose
In Grinnell, Iowa we visited the Merchant National Bank on Main Street. This bank was designed by Louis Sullivan, a prominent mid-West architect and mentor to Frank Lloyd Wright and often called “The Father of the Skyscraper.” He designed many famous buildings from Chicago skyscrapers to many mid-West banks. This bank is a very good place to visit, they have a docent in place. At any rate, enough history, this duck was used to promote the Duck Daze and Derby fundraiser to support youth in Powershiek County. I bought a duck and entered but haven’t heard if I won.
Duck Daze Duck
On our way to rent a tuxedo for Ernie and Sally’s wedding when road construction around the Mall caused us to circle around and come in the back way. I guess there is a reason for everything since we ran right into this big inflatable in front of the Firestone dealer by the Mall. The Chief Photographer had her camera with her so it was only a matter of just jumping out and getting the photo.
Firestone Firehawk
We found this bird supply store while shopping at the Broad Ripple Farmers Market. Later when we went down to pick up some birdseed and peanuts for our backyard feeders we saw these birds on the front of the building. Having her camera ready the Chief Photographer was able to snap this photo.
Backyard Birds
Once we got to the Wisconsin Dells it was pretty late – we had dinner and turned in for the night. This was the large flamingo we came to town to find. The Dells are a great vacation spot. Lot’s to do if you have children in the family. We went on a couple river tours and enjoyed ourselves. It is a classic resort town — fudge and moccasin stores abound.
Flamingo Motel
In Madison Wisconsin we stayed the night at the Edgewater Hotel right on Lake Mendota. Our room overlooked the lake and we had dinner on the deck with a live band playing. One interesting thing about this hotel was the floors are backward. Our room was on the first floor and we had to go down to the 5th floor to get to the deck. I was a little confused when I went to get some ice. Oh, and we got these giant metal birds called Dreamkeepers outside an office building.
Madison Dreamkeepers Birds
The M in M Schettl Sales stands for Mel. He wasn’t in at the time of our visit but we were given the run of the place by the manager on duty. Mel sells just about anything. These six birds were on trailers and out in the field. Mel sells the trailers and the animals too.
On our way to the Door Peninsula in Wisconsin we were on a secondary road and noted these birds in a field. We made a quick U-turn and climbed out into a field to get these photos. This is what farmers must do to pass time during the winter when they have time on their hands.
Wisconsin Field Birds
Wisconsin Field Birds
This stork was a nice find. There is a car wash in Vincennes that has several Big Things, this stork is one of them. I don’t know what’s in the water in Southwest Indiana (besides Calcium from all the limestone) but whatever it is, they do like Big Things. This was a researched find but turned out better than expected as some of the best finds do.
Car Wash Stork
Well at Jim Hipp’s there are so many wonderful Big Things I almost couldn’t figure out how to capture everything, so here’s a double eagle (wasn’t that a coin?) Pretty cool. And you know what? Jim Hipp lives on site. His house has a warning that it is off limits to visitors, he’s had strangers wander into his kitchen. Imagine that!
Jim Hipp Eagle
Jim Hipp Eagle
I was just up in Minneapolis and spotted this Big Thing which looks like a big Canadian Goose on Nicollet Mall. I think it was a Canadian Goose, it would have maybe been more authentic if there were a mess of cast goose droppings everywhere like in real life.
MSP Goose
Oh boy, here was an unexpected treat. On the way to Charlevoix to get the Big Cherry Pie with the Davidsons (see Food and Drink) when fate struck and we got this Big Swan. Outside the Elk Rapids Chamber of Commerce building was this Swan (don’t call it a Goose! Right Meg?). It has a history going back to 1966 when it was built to carry Miss Elk Rapids in the Cherry Festival and Harbor Days parades.
Big Swan
We were going to the airport to pick Julia up on July 3rd. In case you didn’t know, Indiana is fireworks state. You can buy all sorts of fireworks here. You just have to be careful since you cannot take the fireworks on the plane with you if you are leaving the state on a plane. You would be much better off driving your purchases out of state.
Patriotic Eagle
Along with the above photo this BIG turkey was out on display. We (Meredith the photographer, Ralph and I spent some time talking to an employee at Tri State about these birds. Seems that he was photographed with one of these birds himself for the local paper. Good story, stop in and hear it.
Tri-State Turkey
Working (ha, ha!) in Everett, WA. This Seahawk was another double-up along with the Big Lumberjack. The people working inside this building were nearly as interested in me getting this picture taken as I was. Thanks Brian.
Seattle Seahawk
Virtually across the street from Zubler’s Indian Village on M-55 in Houghton Lake, MI. (See the Big People page.) I didn’t realize at the time how cool these double hits were. At any rate this flamingo is one of my all time favorites, it illustrates the absurd part of this hobby. If you still don’t get it, study this image until you do.
Houghton Lake Flamingo
Give me a better example of a Big Picture than this. US-131 in Kalkaska, MI, late in the day, both me and the robin are relaxed. Check out the hat. (Another vacation hat picture with a twist.)
Michigan Robin