Some friends of mine went up to Sax-Zim Bog this morning at sunrise. I decided the forecast seemed to indicate heavy fog inland, but clear skie for the morning hours next to Lake Superior. I was right. When birding I pay extremely close attention to the actual percentage of expected clouds. These images resulted from my working the shoreline along Scenic 61 between Duluth and Two Harbors this morning.
Two Bald Eagles
Ma and Pa Pine Grosbeak
Yesterday started with Pine Grosbeaks and Bohemian Waxwings at the tops of the Boreal Pines in northern Minnesota, and ended with the wedding of Peter and Catherine ( #EnzGame ) at the top of the Asphalt Jungle at Windows On Minnesota in Minneapolis (top of the IDS Tower … floor 50). I had not been to the top of the IDS for over 30 years when I took my middle son, Carl, out for dinner on his first day ever of school (kindergarten). The public restaurant no longer exists. My other son, Erik, was best man. I shall ever remember Peter as the young man who raced the American Birkebeiner in his striped green and white pajamas (Note: Peter is a good skier, and they were NOT pajamas, but it was my name for his ski uniform.)
Northern Minnesota Boreal Forest (pine grosbeak – female)
Southern Minnesota Asphalt Jungle (still beautiful!)
These images stretch from minutes before sunset (about 4:45 pm) to around 9 pm. The photos were taken with my Sony A6300 and a wide angle lens stabilized on a small tripod, and also using a photographer’s shade that attached to the window and allowed me to insert my camera in the dark environment.
This winter there are lots of Bohemian Waxwings down from Canada, but even though I had seen quite a few of these birds, my favorite waxwing location was still striking out. This afternoon that situation changed! If you want to see Bohemian Waxwings, look for fruit trees near heavy forest, and you will find waxwings. It is always better to find locations with lots of fruit trees, and not just one or two Mountain Ash or Pygmy Crabapple trees. Once both the waxwings and pine grosbeaks find the fruit, they will hang out for a long time in the area. This afternoon I saw over 250 Bohemian Waxwings, and I know their numbers will only increase.
