Monthly Archives: May 2015

Morning Reflections and Shadows!

May 20, 2015Year 2MN North: Two Harborsrichardhoeg@gmail.com

Early this morning just after sunrise I drove up to Two Harbors and walked the shoreline. This made for two days in row with deep blue skies, and although the temperature was a brisk 35F for a later day in May, the wind was calm. In short, it was a great morning to be alive. If you’ve never walked the trail that snakes around the point which forms the Two Harbors harbor, I highly recommend it.

The warbler invasion of the Northland that occurred a few days ago is now over, but there are still a few birds migrating through northeast Minnesota. I found this Chestnut-Sided Warbler hunting the puddles along the shore. It was fun to watch this bird and take photos. At one point I had a Cape May Warbler alight almost in front of my nose and remain motionless on a tall stalk of grass. Warblers never remain still. I assume this bird really wanted its photo taken. I obliged.

I finished off the perfect morning with a trip to a local fox den. By this time it had warmed up into the mid 40’s and the kits were enjoying the morning sun!

Chestnut-Sided Warbler

———-

Cape May Warbler

———-

Red Fox Kit

A Day at the Heron Rookery

May 19, 2015Year 2MN North: Canosia Wildlife Arearichardhoeg@gmail.com

For over a week I have wanted to take a hike in the woods north of Duluth. My target was a great blue heron rookery. I wanted to arrive a bit after dawn and observe these great birds on their nests. However, for almost seven days Lake Superior threw fog, rain and generally horrible weather at me … not worth a walk in the woods.

Finally, a day dawned crisp, clear and cold. Under deep blue skies I hiked off from my car into the woods. Perfect attire for the day was boots that came up almost to my knees. The area was marshy to begin with, and the recent rains made it a squishy walk.

When I finally arrive at the rookery I thought it was deserted. Initially dismayed, I took another closer look. The herons were all flat down in their nests. Although the skies were deep blue, these recent returnees from the south did not like the 32F temperature and strong NW wind.

Showing patience plenty of photographic opportunities arose. Whenever one parent came back from fishing, both birds would stand and interact before the other bird flew off to find its own breakfast. I hope you enjoy my Great Blue Heron Rookery photos!

View this project’s Flickr photo stream. (click upon images to view at full size)

Warbler at my Feet!

May 18, 2015Year 2MN North: Western Waterfront Trailrichardhoeg@gmail.com

Today will go down as one of the most fantastic days of birding / photography in my life. Although yesterday’s NE wind off Lake Superior was a thing of the past, replaced by a SW wind, the warblers were even more numerous than yesterday. I had “warblers at my feet”! (and in my face, and everywhere else).

Taking into account the weather, one just needed to think like a bird! Thus, I headed down to the Western Waterfront Trail in Duluth. The wind was very strong, and blowing across St. Louis Bay. I suspected warblers would be blown to my side of the river, and then would work their way along the banks till they found a calm spot with food. After walking about a mile, I found a thicket that had an early season bug hatch in progress. Both me and the birds thought this was an excellent spot! Later in the day I found a second spot protected from the wind where a bug hatch was in progress amongst last year’s old water reeds.

Here is a video of “warblers at my feet”, followed by photographs all taken today along the Western Waterfront Trail.