All posts by richardhoeg@gmail.com

Birds are Lazy!

Year 7

Well … sort of! Obviously migration is very taxing, but during the Fall migration when there is no rush to get to breeding grounds, birds will take time off from migration to hang out near good food sources. Such was the case over the past few days. Friday evening I noticed a particular mountain ash tree was being raided by Cedar Waxwings. Early yesterday morning I returned to the same tree with my camera. Even though there are lots of other mountain ash trees in the vicinity which are loaded with berries, this tree was apparently “the” tree.

All kinds of species of birds were eating berries out of this one tree. Closer inspection yieleded me some clues. This tree had lots of nearby cover, and great wildflowers within a few yards now going to seed (think food). In addition, this spot was only 500 yards inland from Lake Superior. Thus, birds following the shore of the big lake (their migration highway) were able to find easy food.

Thus, this migration season think like a lazy bird. Find their logical highways (rivers and occasionally even highways that cut through the boreal forest) in conjunction with food, and you will normally find birds taking a rest stop. As long as the food lasts, and the weather does not change dramatically … such as a HUGE wind out of the north to ride south, the birds will stick around. We’re all lazy when presented with easy, yummy food.

Cedar Waxwings Feeding on Mountain Ash Berries (mainly juveniles)

Female American Goldfinch eating wild Sunflower Seeds

Swainson’s Thrush gets in on the Berry Action!

State Parks Photo Contest … 2nd Place!

Background, Year 7

If you want to see some super images taken by great photographers, browse on over to the 2020 Minnesota State Parks and Trails Photo Contest Results. I took send place for NE Minnesota with this picture of the American Spirit steaming by Splitrock Lighthouse on the last day of the shipping season. It was just before sunrise and then temperature was -17F with a HUGE wind blowing out of the NNW. The strong winds is why the freighter was sailing along the North Shore (i.e. to avoid large waves further out in the lake which would cause dangerous ice buildup). It was cold, and I was very happy to get back in the car after taking my photos.

BWCA: Dark Sky Sanctuary!

Background, Year 7

Who has not looked up at the night sky and stared in wonder at its beauty and majesty? Unfortunately, most of you have never seen truly dark skies. Here in northeastern Minnesota we are truly blessed, and the International Dark Sky Association has just recognized that fact. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area has just been named the 13th night sky gem in the world by the Association … a location with truly dark skies not affected by human light pollution. Read an article in the Duluth News Tribune written by John Myers about the announcement which features two of my BWCA Northern Lights images, and some other great photos by other folk.

The BWCA is about 60 miles north of my home. Thus, when I want some truly dark skies, in addition to standing out on my own deck, a one hour drive gets me to locations that reminds one of time immemorial. (see Dark Sky Map of North America)

Here are the photographs featured in the newspaper article that I took of the Aurora Borealis at BWCA entry points.

The Pagami Creek Wildfire Area on Island River north of Isabella, Minnesota

Little John Lake at the end of the Arrowhead Trail (a daytime image taken 6 hours earlier at the same exact location is included!)

A map I made showing the photograph locations

A Dark Sky Map of the eastern part of North America

I will be spending a week up in the BWCA at the end of the Gunflint Trail in the very near future!

Finally … one more image. The first two photographs featured in this blog post were taken during one of the most phenomenal nights of my life. The Northern Lights danced all night as I moved from location to location. Two hours before sunrise found me driving south towards home. I was so exhausted that I pulled into a public boat launch 40 miles north of Two Harbors on Greenwood Lake. I got into the back of my Subaru Outback and lay down to catch a few winks. God thought otherwise! As the dawn light appeared in the eastern sky, the Northern Lights exploded once more and were able to overpower the sunrise. Amazing! By far this was the most amazing sunrise I ever watched in my life. I took this selfie.