All posts by richardhoeg@gmail.com

Sea Smoke Sunrise

Year 12

December 1st was the start of Meteorological Winter vs Astronomical Winter (more information from the Mount Washington Observatory in New Hampshire). Whichever winter start date you choose to follow, all I know it was COLD this morning before sunrise at our house (-10F). Given the wind had finally abated, the calmer conditions meant Lake Superior was steaming this morning, or Sea Smoke. On windier days (such as the last two mornings) the Sea Smoke blows out into the big lake. The HUGE temperature differential between the air and water forms the smoke. Even when I got home around 8:30 am (80 minutes after sunrise), it was still -7F at our house. Not quite certain how the birds survive these temps (actually … yes I do know their survival tactics). All I know is I was quite cold upon arriving home. Unfortunately to take photographs it is often necessary to remove one’s winter gloves. Uff dah.

Duluth, Minnesota Sea Smoke Sunrise (These images take you from 35 minutes before sunrise to an hour after sunrise. I also spent some time right at sunup looking for Snowy Owls. The harbor is almost completely iced over, which provides the contrast along Minnesota Point)

Greenwood Creek YouTube Channel at Sand Lake / Seven Beavers

Year 12,

Thursday evening Molly and I will attend a small reception given by The Nature Conservancy celebrating their recent land purchase of over 10,000 acres which has dramatically expanded their Northeastern Minnesota initiative, Sand Lake / Seven Beavers Preserve. As many of you know, I am the individual who most likely spends the most time hiking in their wilderness preserve, and provides the Greenwood Creek Bird Feeders for everyone’s enjoyment.

I recently created a YouTube Channel with a primary focus upon the Greenwood Creek Boreal Forest Bog in the Sand Lake / Seven Beaver’s Preserve. My goal was to have the channel finished before the The Nature Conservancy’s reception.

Please browse to my new channel and consider subscribing!

The channel is 100% non commercial and will feature the nature and wildlife of Greenwood. In the preserve I have remote birdsong listening stations, trailcams and bird feeders. A small trailhead parking area may be found 1/2 mile south of Greenwood Creek on Lake County Highway #2, which is also where the birdfeeders are located.

Learn more via this channel’s web links:

And that special night when Lady Aurora danced over Greenwood! (video link for email subscribers)

Northland Winter Birding Eye Protection … or Dork Alert?!

Year 12

Apparently I will NOT win any fashion awards, but both of the eye protection options presented here are field tested by me. Thankfully at my advanced stage in life I am not trying to be an Instagram or TikTok Influencer!

Use a golf visor in tandem with your stocking cap on cold winter days. This combination works on sunny days to provide shade, and on ugly days to keep eyeglasses dry from sleet or snow. I use the Nike Swoosh Golf Visor. Putting a visor OVER a stocking cap is much warmer than wearing a hat under a stocking cap. I have worn this combination both yesterday and today as I visited the Long-Eared Owl perch. Yesterday because it was cold and sunny, and today because of wet snow (kept the eyeglasses dry).

Now we move on to my Darth Vader winter look! I wear somewhat expensive Giro goggles which fit over my eyeglasses. These goggles protect my eyes from fierce wind while doubling as sunglasses. I provide the Amazon link to the goggles I own. You may not need as expensive of goggles, however additional features which are important for me are … anti fogging and nicely fit over eyeglasses.

In closing I may get the “looks like a dork” award, but I am comfortable while dealing with any weather conditions winter might throw at me.