Monthly Archives: June 2016

Ducky Directions at Sunrise!

The mouth of the Lester River in Duluth is really starting to “turn on” in a bird sense. The water flow has slowed down, and the bugs have hatched. The songbirds know about the bugs, and the diving ducks are now fishing in the river.

I was at the river by about 5:30 yesterday morning. One of my favorite images is of the Common Merganser family after they entered the river to fish for breakfast. One of the  chicks almost seems to be directing it’s mom as to where to go fishing! While the merganser clan was out on Lake Superior, the chicks would often find themselves swimming when their mother dove out from underneath them for fish!T he last image is of a Yellow Warbler which was singing out to the sunrise!

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Warning! We interrupt this picnic

WARNING … CUTE DUCKLINGS …. WARNING!!!

While picnicking with my wife, Molly, at the mouth of the Lester River on Lake Superior this evening, the merganser clan came by for a visit! (Common Merganser Family and Red-Breasted Merganser Couple).

Just one more reason to always have a camera along for the ride, or in this case … the picnic. Both merganser families swam by within 20 yards of where I was filling my mouth with fried chicken and a glass of Chardonnay. Have to love summer!
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Indigo Morning! (as in Bunting!)

A few days ago I discovered an Indigo Bunting which is making its home this summer just a mile up Amity Creek from my home. This morning I spent some quality time on a drop dead gorgeous morning with my friend, Mr. Indigo Bunting.

See the annotated satellite map in this post. Stand right next to the shed, and if you have a smartphone birding app, occasionally have your phone sing “Indigo Bunting”.  Pause after 2 to 3 songs and wait. The bunting will investigate your singing. Try moving 100 yards from the shed and repeating. Best time for a visit is between 7 and 9 am. Have fun!


Indigo Blue Morning … this Indigo bunting sang out for summer today!
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Lester-Amity Chalet / 7 Bridges Road Map
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