This morning a bit before sunrise while on the way to the “birding grounds”, I got distracted! As I drove across the Aerial Bridge a few minutes after sunup I noticed the beautiful first light of the morning reflecting off ice chunks which were flowing out into Lake Superior. The St. Louis River current was fast due to all the snow melt runoff.
Birding was very successful … images coming tomorrow.
Canal Park Lighthouse Lake Superior Ice Flow Sunrise
(photos taken about eight minutes apart)
Friday morning after watching the full moon set in Jay Cooke State Park I drove over to Chambers Grove at Fond Du Lac in Duluth. The park has been upgraded and there is nice new short hiking trail that heads up river from the park. With the water so fast right now due to snow runoff, the trail does not yield any interesting wildlife. When the current slows down it will be fun to explore along this trail.
One sign of spring here in the Duluth area is White Pelicans return to the St. Louis River. Many different kinds of fish are now in the river to spawn from Lake Superior, and the pelicans are very aware of that fact. The clean-up of the river from my childhood days in the 1960’s is amazing. Back then the river was dead from industrial pollution. There are even sturgeon spawning again in the river! (sturgeon require extremely clean water)
I reached Chambers Grove shortly after sunrise at 6:15 am. However, I could have waited. The sun did not kiss the park and river where I was located till 7:00 am. The pelicans understood this fact, and huddled together with heads beneath their wings an attempt to stay warm. I took some short hikes and waited for the sun to finally appear. If you desire to photograph white birds it is important to use “first light”. Even 2 to 3 hours after sunrise, the whites will blow out in photographs.
White Pelicans First Light Photos and Video
Hey guys … Why did the Birders cross the road?!
And more images …
Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers and Northern Flickers have returned to the Northwoods. While neither of these two woodpeckers will visit my suet feeders, they love my yard. While filling the feeders yesterday morning I realized a major disagreement was taking place overhead. One of my White Pine is a perfect drumming tree. Unfortunately for woodpecker #1 he did not attract a female, but instead another male showed up. For over five minutes they battled over what I mistakenly believe to be my yard! In fact, they gave me time to retreat inside, grab my camera and take a few photos. The Yellow-Bellied Woodpecker on the left won the battle, and continues to use the White Pine for drumming approximately every 60 minutes. Know where to find a good woman? Contact “Yellow”!
Happy Easter!
Yellow-Bellied Battleground
