Monthly Archives: July 2016

Wedding Bird Lifer! The Green Heron!

July 28, 2016Year 3MN South: Plymouth Wetlandsrichardhoeg@gmail.com

Three hours of hiking narrow trails through the woods, climbing over logs, pushing my way through undergrowth to get a decent vantage point of logs against the shore of some wetlands … and the end result is I found a new bird, a lifer for me … the Green Heron!

Although green herons occasionally visit the Duluth area, they really stay further south. Thus, given I am down in the Twin Cities for Erik (my youngest son) and Katie’s wedding, I took some time to go birding this morning. I may have to try again early tomorrow morning when there should be better light (dark clouds this morning). I think I now understand some good fishing perches the herons utilize. We shall see.

Lifer! The Green Heron!

Hanging Out on the Log (Great Blue Heron and Wood Ducks)

Eastern Phoebe Kids Waiting for Food!

Garden Color Explosion

July 27, 2016Year 3MN North: Amityrichardhoeg@gmail.com

My wife and I made the decision seven years ago to maintain our yard in a natural environment state. We live across the street from a creek that rolls down to Lake Superior, and next to the forest. Our own yard is a mix of 5 to 6 foot tall grasses, wildflowers, and a perennial garden. Two evenings ago I sat about 15 yards from my front door, surrounded by tall grass and near some bee balm. It was a very pleasing interlude … helped by a cold glass of white wine! I was surrounded by tens of butterflies, bees, dragonflies, and many hummingbirds. Here are just two of my visitors.

Dragonfly

Female Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

Power Outage Birding

July 25, 2016Year 3MN North: Cloverland, MN North: Minnesota Point, Northern Lightsrichardhoeg@gmail.com

After four days w/o power, electricity finally returned yesterday to the Northland … including the heavens! Last night, although not a major dance by the Northern Lights, I captured my first even meteor in combination with the Aurora Borealis! The rest of my images were taken over the past few days. Even though we were without power, a true wildlife photographer finds the ability through strategic coffee shop visits to keep camera batteries charged. 🙂

Boulder Lake Aurora Borealis & Meteor!