Tag Archives: MN North: Two Harbors Highlands

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.

 

More Ice Berry Birds: Pileated Woodpecker

Year 10

Five days ago I found a flock of migrating female Pine Grosbeaks enjoying Pygmy Crabapples, while yesterday afternoon a Pileated Woodpecker was enjoying red berries. Normally by March 26th (today) the winter woods are largely free of snow … not this year. There are still many feet of the white stuff on the ground. Thus, food still found on trees is a great prize. (actually the woodpecker was not very good at getting the crabapples … most fell on the ground)

Pileated Woodpecker Attempts to Eat Crabapples

The Movie (video link for email subscribers)

Boreal Forest to Asphalt Jungle

Year 10,

Yesterday started with Pine Grosbeaks and Bohemian Waxwings at the tops of the Boreal Pines in northern Minnesota, and ended with the wedding of Peter and Catherine ( #EnzGame ) at the top of the Asphalt Jungle at Windows On Minnesota in Minneapolis (top of the IDS Tower … floor 50). I had not been to the top of the IDS for over 30 years when I took my middle son, Carl, out for dinner on his first day ever of school (kindergarten). The public restaurant no longer exists. My other son, Erik, was best man. I shall ever remember Peter as the young man who raced the American Birkebeiner in his striped green and white pajamas (Note: Peter is a good skier, and they were NOT pajamas, but it was my name for his ski uniform.)

Northern Minnesota Boreal Forest (pine grosbeak – female)

Southern Minnesota Asphalt Jungle (still beautiful!)

These images stretch from minutes before sunset (about 4:45 pm) to around 9 pm. The photos were taken with my Sony A6300 and a wide angle lens stabilized on a small tripod, and also using a photographer’s shade that attached to the window and allowed me to insert my camera in the dark environment.