Monthly Archives: May 2015

Long-Tailed Ducks!

Year 2

Yesterday morning I went out biking in the drizzle / fog. It made for a nice cool ride, but not great photographic conditions. Near McQuade Harbor I noticed some ducks that looked unusual out on Lake Superior. Getting off my bicycle for a closer inspection, I realized the birds were Long-Tailed Ducks (Cornell Ornithology Link)! Normally these ducks should be up in the northern reaches of Hudson Bay, but today this flock was 200 yards off shore on Lake Superior!

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Cabin Birds: Memorial Day Weekend 2015

Year 2

My wife and I own a remote cabin in northern Minnesota which is partially off the grid. Although we do have electricity, we do not have phone coverage (hard wire or reliable cell), TV or many of the “modern” amenities. However, we do not miss these “pleasures in life” one iota!

Early Friday morning I kayaked over to a grove of extremely tall white pine trees with a commanding view of the lake. I was thrilled to find our eagles were back nesting in these pines, which they have done almost non-stop for 25 years. On the way over, a pair of loons let my kayak drift up within just a few feet of them. This closeness allowed me to photograph one of the loons with droplets on its back and head from a recent dive.

We are lucky to live in northern Minnesota!

Bald Eagle Couple on NorthStar Lake
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Common Loon After the Dive!
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20 Minutes Before Dawn on NorthStar Lake
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Just Another Morning on Minnesota Point!

Year 2

Minnesota Point, also known as Park Point, is an excellent place to hike and enjoy the morning sun. Shortly after dawn I hiked out to the Superior entry through thick pine forests, and along beach dunes looking out over Lake Superior. For folks who like birding, Minnesota Point can be an excellent spot as birds work their way along the “longest freshwater sand bar” in the world. This morning I found huge flocks of blue jays working their way along the point during their northward migration. Yellow-shafted flickers were also making their presence known as their call echoed through the woods. It was a great morning.

Yellow-Shafted Flicker Singing to the Sun!
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An Early Morning Row on the Harbor
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