Category Archives: Year 12

Not Exceptional, but My Birding World!

Year 12

This video is NOT exceptional, but it is my first drone video using an actual “controller”, not my phone for control. The controller allows many, many more capabilities than a phone controlled video. The controller only arrived in the mail a few hours ago.

At the end of the video you will see me sitting on my deck … next to the forest (my bird feeders are to the right, my left). In fact two nights ago the feeders were pulled down by Mama Bear and her two cubs. In addition, I have a Bobcat that likes to hang out on my deck in the middle of the night. Both the Bobcat and Bears have been visiting since early April! Four days ago I saw the Bobcat in person for the first time, not just via my trailcams. (video link for email subscribers)

And a photo of my house from about three weeks ago.

Red-Headed Woodpecker Time!

Year 12

Over the past two weeks I have been privileged to watch a Red-Headed Woodpecker family. I owe a HUGE thanks to my birding friend who showed me the nest hole location. Red-Headed Woodpeckers are extremely rare in northeastern Minnesota and I promised I would not blog about these birds till the young had fledged and flown, which they have now in fact done. It was a treat to watch the family grow up! On many occasions I have noted how much I love to bird Forest Hill Cemetery, which is where these beautiful birds called home.

Red-Bellied Woodpeckers

Feeding the young. Tombstones are great ambush locations for bugs!

Showing the Juveniles how and where to eat!

And two videos (links for email subscribers: video 1 | video 2)

White-Tailed Deer Family: Fawn Swimming Lessons!

Year 12

Lake Vermilion is a very large wilderness lake in northern Minnesota, and yesterday our family watched a special event … a white-tailed deer family swimming from the mainland to some islands. While I choose to believe the doe was giving her fawn’s swimming lessons, I’m sure her moving the family to the islands is much more practical. These larger islands now have plenty of natural food, and few predators. Anyhow … enjoy.

In addition I created a very short video which contains a series of still images … showing the swimming. The second fawn was about 30 yards behind this doe and fawn. (video link for email subscribers)

And the still images … White-Tailed Deer Fawn Swimming Lessons