Yesterday was a great day … another successful eye treatment which continues to prevent my going blind, and a fantastic dawn visit to Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge. If you live in the NW Twin Cities this refuge MUST be on your bucket list. It is approximately 25 miles north of Elk River, and there a great trails and the Prairie’s Edge Wildlife Drive.
I utilized the wildlife drive yesterday morning, and although most of the grassland birds have already migrated south, the number of water birds was amazing. In addition, the water levels are down in the wetlands which really congregated the fishing birds. I don’t think I have ever seen so many Great Herons. I lost track of the numbers.
I really liked all the dead snags and their shapes.
Green Herons
While Pelicans
Bald Eagle (there was a pair of Bald Eagles trying to catch Cormorants)
I also found this image on my camera from a trip to the Joyce Estate one week ago. This Common Merganser Family was quite wet due to the morning fog. They never saw me till they swam within 5 yards.
Spending a sunrise on the wildlife drive was heavenly. I felt so blessed to have my eyesight and to be able to watch nature. Even better, not another person used the dirt road for the two hours I was birding. It was all mine! Upon getting back to my daughter’s house, my wife and I took our four grandchildren who live in Plymouth bicycle riding. The day ended with frozen pizza and a glass of Chardonnay back in Duluth. Life is good!
Your pics are so clear and beautiful. Thanks for sharing those wonderful birds. Feel like I’m right there.
Thanks for the reminder of the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge! A safe outdoor nature sanctuary not far from the Twin Cities. We all need places we can get to that are enriching & not crowded!
Ah, Rich! You enrich our lives every day during these dire times!
Thanks Sharon! It is my pleasure to help everyone relax perhpas a bit more during this Pandemic … it is so necessary. In addition, I was thrilled to see the article about Hoot has now been syndicated. My owls are now becoming famous across the Northland. I know of at least four more newspapers that just ran the story. The first printing of “Do You Hoot?” is now almost sold out, and over 500 familes have downladed a free copy. Hoot is very happy!