I am staying in a delightful little motel up in Littlefork, Minnesota (near Minnesota’s northern border with Canada). Marsha is the hostess / owner, and she is well known in the birding community as providing a great friendly place to stay “up north”. Check out the Home Town Motel.

I am birding the Pine Island State Forest. The lack of snow so far to start this winter means I have great access to the back country. Yesterday afternoon I was in birding heaven on Toomey Williams Forest Road. Today I will drive the route I have always wanted to take in early winter … Big Falls to Waskish. My 70 mile route once I leave Big Falls will be devoid of any civilization, even one single cabin … two hours on dirt roads without any backtracking! The dropped pin is at the end of Toomey Williams Forest Road, and where I normally turn back towards Big Falls.

Here are just two photographs from yesterday afternoon. I will work on more later, but it’s 6 am and time to get my act in gear.

Incoming! (Immature Male Pine Grosbeak)

Take-Off!