Tag Archives: MN North: NorthStar Lake Region

Northstar Lake Happenings

Year 10

The good news is we paid attention to the weather forecasts, and left Northstar Lake for our Duluth area home early. The bad news is the expected storms did track through our cabin’s region with “baseball sized hail” reported near Marcell, Minnesota (courtesy of Minnesota Public Radio … Northstar Lake is only 600 yards from the town of Marcell). Hopefully our cabin was not damaged.

I did get out on the lake one final time to observe the Common Loon breakfast feeding. I hope all my feathered friends on the lake weathered the storms in good shape. Regardless, before the sun retreated and the winds came, the lake was sunny, calm and serene. The photographs are of two families of loons.

Common Loon Family #1

Common Loon Family #2

Northern Waters Reflections: Common Loon

Year 10

After three days of clouds, rain and cool weather, northern Minnesota was showing its finest shortly after sunrise this morning on Northstar Lake. The wind was dead calm which made for fantastic reflections. I first had to wait for the morning mist to burn off before I ventured out on the lake, but then it was a great time to be alive in the crisp, clean beautiful Northland. In total I found three different Common Loon families, and each family unit was willing to let me float nearby and record their morning activities.

The only downer was  one of the three families had obviously lost a chick since Saturday afternoon to predation (Muskies or Bald Eagles were the most likely predators). In fact, when a Bald Eagle flew overhead this morning the loons started a yodel which quickly spread to all the other loons on Northstar Lake. Nature is beautiful, but also cruel.

Birding the Northwoods Seasons: Summer!

Year 10, ,

Over the past two days I have had the pleasure of birding many of my favorite summer time haunts … from our own cabin on NorthStar Lake (southern most lake of the Hudson Bay Watershed) to north of Two Harbors. Get out in the Northwoods folks! The wildflowers are gorgeous, and the birding ain’t bad either!

My first stop was NorthStar Lake. I needed to get the cabin ready to receive my daughter and her family. My jobs ranged from mundane tasks liking changing the beds to more unusual activities including putting a new prop on the pontoon. Obviously a new propeller demands a shake down cruise!

Whereas Common Loons further south in Minnesota already have hatching chicks, a deep northern lake like ours is way behind its southern brethren. Common Loons like to nest in reedy areas, preferably next to islands which means protection from land-based predators. Remember, Common Loons are NOT able to takeoff from land or a stationary position. In fact, loons do not walk very well at all. Thus, you can understand their nesting preferences which include avoiding land. Given NorthStar Lake only iced out one month ago, reed protection and nesting is lagging this year.

With that huge preamble, I found two very cooperative loons which were courting.

Boy Sees Girl

Boy Meets Girl

Love!

On a Date … Fishing!

Moving along in my travels I spent time north of Two Harbors on Lake County 2 and Stoney River Forest Road. Relaxation was the name of the game, and for over an hour while on the forest road, I never saw another human … just birds.

Langley River (Summer)

And the changing seasons at Langley River … working our way back in time.

Langley River (early Winter)

Langley River (Fall)

Even at home, there is excitement. Last week I had noticed a White-Tailed Deer hanging around our yard and not showing any inclination to move. I mentioned to Molly this doe looked like it was about to deliver a fawn. Yesterday morning we were introduced to the youngster (seen from our house). Over the years the does have often left their fawns in our tall grass (well hidden) while they go forage. However, from our vantage point inside we are able to look down and see the young deer in their hiding spots.