All posts by richardhoeg@gmail.com

Forest Fire Sunset Osprey

Year 8

The forest fires in Canada are sending their smoke down to northeastern Minnesota via the jet stream. The end result are dramatic red sunsets (and white haze on days that should be crystal blue skies). I decided when God gives you lemons (white smoky skies), make lemonade. Thus with significant advance planning I arrived on site at an osprey nest 60 minutes before sundown last night. I waited for over 30 minutes as the sun moved (as did I), but them got lucky as “Mom Osprey” took off to go fishing at sunset. (two different crops of the first photograph)

The current Smoke Map from the US Government

Mourning Warbler by Merlin

Year 8

Last week I saw a new bird for me, a lifer. Yup, I had never before seen a Mourning Warbler. When I saw the little bird flitting around the thicket through which I was hiking, I had no idea what it was. Out pops my phone, and I pulled up the app, Merlin, and specifically Sound ID (see my full review of Sound ID). Merlin correctly identified the Mourning Warbler by its chipping song. I was impressed, and if you don’t have this tool on your phone, get it (Android or Apple)! Just point your phone at the bird song and press record.

A Screenshot from my “Mourning Experience”

One Image

Duluth Red-Headed Woodpecker

Year 1
These photographs taken a few days ago are cool for a number of reasons:
  • This may be the first time ever that a Red-Headed Woodpecker has nested in Duluth.
  • Audubon has designated the Red-Headed Woodpecker a bird of “special concern” due to a decrease in numbers … mainly due to habitat loss.
  • Ever since I was a young boy and was given the book, Song and Garden Books of North America, I have had a special place in my heart for “red”. There were about eight birds in the book which I found extremely neat, and wanted to see in my life. This woodpecker is one of those eight bird species. What are your special birds and why?
My thanks to the folks who helped me find this woodpecker (not named on purpose), and the location other than saying “Duluth” is stated in a general way to protect the nesting location.

Red-Headed Woodpecker Feeding its Young

Cover of National Geographic Book