Category Archives: Year 10

Surfing the Arctic Riviera at Stony Point

Year 10

The Arctic Riviera lived up to its name this morning! I was actually out birding between Duluth and Two Harbors along Scenic 61 looking for Bohemian Waxwings in fruit trees when a raft of surfers caught my attention. By northern Minnesota standards it was a great morning … crystal clear and sunny with zero wind (temperature was -6F). The surfers were enjoying the rolling waves at Stony Point which resulted from yesterday’s winter storm. Yup, there is a dedicated group of individuals who surf the Great Lakes, braving Lake Superior’s 36F degree water.

While I was photographing the surfers, a gentleman came over to my car. He asked if he might photograph me while I was photographing the surfers! Turns out there was a team of two folks (writer and photographer) doing a story for the Wall Street Journal! Yup, our Arctic Riviera reputation is getting around the United States.

Surf City USA on the Arctic Riviera (at Stony Point)

The Movie (link for email subscribers)

Two still images … photography was difficult due to the angle of the sun.

In case you missed my other Arctic Riviera post this week, here is just one of my images from that post which I named Arctic Mound Snowy Owl Take-Off. The State of Minnesota is using this Snowy Owl photo from my post for their official tourism site.

That’s it for today, and so long from the Arctic Riviera!

Learn more about this web site and its content: 365DaysOfBirds.com

Children’s Picture Bird Books: Smokey!

Background, Year 10

“Smokey Finds a Rainbow” is getting closer! A March release date expected. I just approved the “proof copy” and the full production print run will start soon. In the meantime anyone may download a free full copy PDF version of my books. Smokey will also be available for free download in March. As always my goal is to break even on my books (not make money); thus pricing will be nominal.

Smokey Finds a Rainbow (front cover image): Smokey is a juvenile Great Gray Owl who flies around the northern forest. The owl wants to see its first rainbow. There are guest appearances by Magnus the Moose and Bert the Dancing Bear!

Learn more about this web site and its content: 365DaysOfBirds.com

Fighting Grosbeaks of Sax-Zim Bog (Evening and Pine)

Year 10,

Folks might think just watching the Snowy Owl hunt yesterday would have been enough drama for one day, but nope! When the day dawned sunny and calm, I decided after taking care of my chores and a workout, I needed to get outside. According to the weather forecast we were experiencing a day of calm blue skies between winter storms. Thus, my first plan of the day was to visit Sax-Zim Bog. While the number of winter human visitors can now be a bit overwhelming in the Bog, I hoped the storms would limit sightings of the human persuasion. Additionally the prior night’s cold temperatures should make birds more hungry and therefore easier to find.

My prime Sax-Zim Bog entertainment was watching the grosbeaks. Pine Grosbeaks will start to migrate back north within two weeks, and even though some Evening Grosbeaks nest in northern Minnesota, most will fly north to Canada’s boreal forests. Without further adieu, the Battling Grosbeaks of Sax-Zim Bog.

Okay … I lied … one final comment. It was intriguing to see that while Pine Grosbeaks fought other Pine Grosbeaks, and Evening Grosbeaks also battled amongst themselves, there was nary an interspecies conflict. I suspect the male hormones in advance of mating are now starting to flow freely.

An Innocent (??) Evening Grosbeak

Evening Grosbeaks Fight Sequence

Can’t We All Be Friends?

Battling Pine Grosbeaks

And one more image from yesterday’s Snowy Owl Event … seconds before liftoff!