All posts by richardhoeg@gmail.com

Day 117: Day of the Mergansers!

Year 1

The post title sounds like a “B Movie”, but the name is appropriate. The smelt and steelhead run up the northern Minnesota streams and rivers of Lake Superior continues to strengthen, and the diving ducks are very aware of that fact! With the wind chance out of the NE, the ice left Wisconsin and slammed back against the Minnesota shore. However, the current at the mouth of the Lester River insures and opening for fishing.

Today I saw and photographed my first hooded merganser. I hope you’re agree they are a pretty bird. In addition, two red-breasted mergansers drakes fought over a hen. I wonder if any female is worth the trouble?!

Hooded Merganser
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Red-Breasted Merganser Fight
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Ice flowing back to Minnesota from Wisconsin
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Bird Photography by Bicycle

Background,

Bicycling, birding and photography are a great combination. Yesterday I took a 24 mile ride on the Luce Line Trail. This rails to trails route which starts in the western suburbs of Minneapolis and proceeds into the rural countryside allows one to get some great exercise and also access areas not reachable by car. While one certainly may walk your local trails, when on a bicycle the birding photographer may quickly ride between prime habitat locations, and then either slow down or dismount for birding. By keeping a good lookout which in transit, unexpected sights will often present themselves.

My setup for birding photography is simple. I have a handlebar bag where my camera is stored for easy access. In addition I have a monopod lashed to rear bag for stabilizing my camera during long distance zoomed shots.

Here are a few photos from my Luce Line Trail bike ride. Please realize songbirds are just starting to migrate into the area. Photographic opportunities are yet a bit thin this spring.

Some of my equipment
Hoeg-with-Monopod

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Hoeg-with-Rear-Panier

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Yellow-Rumped Warbler
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Yellow-Warbler
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Baltimore Oriole
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Day 116: Bird Color in the Afternoon

Year 1,

After the long winter up here in the Northland, it is nice to finally see some color. Thus, I decided a second post was required for today. The woodland song birds are really starting to migrate into the area!

It doesn’t look like a bird! (Rose-Breasted Grosbeak)
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Purple Finch on Fire
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Baltimore Oriole singing out for a mate
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