Category Archives: Year 11

Birding? Beware the Google!

Year 11

I’ve been meaning to post this information for some time, but now as we head towards winter the recommendations are more important. If you like to bird remote, dirt roads MAKE CERTAIN you have local knowledge, or keep your excursions on dirt roads which have “metal country road number signs”.

Google Maps will get you into situations that are expensive, it not dangerous. If Google Maps suggests an alternative route, be wary in the road is not paved. Most dirt roads have never been mapped out “in person” by Google, and quite often Google Maps decides an ATV (all terrain vehicle) trail is actually a road. Here is an image I took recently while birding Stony River Forest Road about 40 miles north of Two Harbors. Please note the following:

  • Google knows my location but thinks I am NOT on a road (not true)
  • Google’s route options start miles away from my current location and actually utilize forest roads which actually don’t exist (my local knowledge)
  • Local knowledge is important

While I talked about restricting your travels to dirt roads which have “county number metal road signs”, avoid any road “like the plague” that has a sign like this one (minimum maintenance road)!

While roads of this nature can be fine, you really need local knowledge. If these roads are snow covered or wet / mucky, the danger multiplies. I actually prefer to first hike unknown roads. Hiking is how I discovered the “rock pile parking spot” 6/10 of mile from Lake County Two on US Forest Road #813 near the Greenwood Creek Bird Feeders which I maintain.

Another road to avoid as we head towards winter is the “cross-over dirt road” between Admiral and McDavitt Roads in Sax-Zim Bog. While this road is fine is good weather, it is not plowed in the winter and if you get stuck a tow will cost over $1,000. This assumes the tow truck driver is willing to venture onto this road. You will also likely have to wait for hours for a tow truck to arrive.

My final words of advice, in winter a car in northern Minnesota or other remote areas should be an “all wheel drive” car. Obviously 4-Wheel drive is even better. Before you think this advice only applies to northern  Minnesota, if you like to bird and drive dirt roads in the countryside within 60 miles of a large metro area (like the Twin Cities), these problems can also happen to you!

Terrific Toomey Time!

Year 11

Although I had a great Northern Lights distraction my first night up at my cabin, my goal for the three day stay was to bird and enjoy the wilderness west of Big Falls, Minnesota via Toomey Williams Forest Road. Tuesday and Wednesday saw me arrive at Toomey before dawn, and I was rewarded for my efforts. In addition I enjoyed peace and solitude … hours and hours including many hikes in the deep forest … never seeing another person or evidence of humanity (such as a cabin, shed, etc).

Mr. Moose! Apparently I do NOT know how to make a very good Cow Moose call. After watching Bullwinkle for five minutes after sunrise on Wednesday, I tried to make my best cow moose call. Apparently that effort was extremely poor! Rather than coming out of the thicket and walking towards me, the moose looked towards me and then hurried off! LOL. Regardless, I was only 35 yards from this huge creature!

After my time with Bullwinkle, the Spruce Grouse decided it was warm enough to come out and eat. The temperature when I arrive at Toomey each morning was in the mid 20’s. In the first few images you will see why these grouse have the word “spruce” as part of their name. This bird was eating spruce buds.

In this second sequence a pair of Spruce Grouse were eating seeds on the side of the road. They allowed me to walk within about 15 yards.

My other “hangout” is always a beaver pond that I found about one year ago. The beavers have dammed up a small creek and wildlife absolutely love the result.

White-Winged Crossbills (love to grit up on the dirt road next to the pond … have seen them four times in a row at the beaver pond)

My other treat was a Belted Kingfisher which was hanging around the Northwoods rather late this year. It also loves the beaver pond, and this bird allowed me to get within 15 yards and watch for 20 minutes during its search for breakfast. Please understand kingfishers spook so very easily; thus I was thrilled with my access.

I know many folks follow this blog because I often bird and report about Sax-Zim Bog. Toomey Williams makes Sax-Zim look like a big city, and Toomey’s habitat is wunderbar.

 

Lady Aurora Dances and Dances!

Year 11

Last night was epic, but nothing much had been forecast with respect to a dance by Lady Aurora, but she is fickle! Shortly after sunset it became obvious that the Northern Lights might make an appearance. The skies were clear, and the moon had set by 9 pm when the Lady decided to dance … and oh my how she danced. The entire sky was filled with her performance. One could even look south and watch pulsating rays of color.

Here is a video I took about 9:20 pm. This is NOT a time lapse compilation of images. It is the real time dance of Lady Aurora taken on a somewhat common camera (Sony A6300 at 3200 ISO) Make certain you watch the short video through to its ending. The lights just keep getting better and better! (video link for email subscribers)

Northstar Lake (from my dock)

Suomi Lutheran Church

Smith Lake (looking north, then south!)