Two mornings ago I walked the stairs down to the Lester River at 61st Avenue East. This dead end road rives access to both the Lakewalk, the tunnel to Brighton Beach, and the ability to observe the Lester River from both the ravine’s edge, but also from the shore deep within the ravine. The trees provide the ability to hide from animals and birds, and I took full advantage of that fact and watched Mom Merganser shepherding her brood through their first fishing lessons. I personally think there is nothing “common” about these ducks! Enjoy.
Common Merganser Family on the Lester River (video link for email subscribers)
Perhaps I should also add “purple passion” to the post title. Regardless, folks get out in the countryside. Summer has arrived in the Northland. Actually I think we are about 7 to 10 days late this year thanks to all our cold winds off Lake Superior. However, nature is now full of color and it should be appreciated!
I always tell my Twin Cities friends we are always one month behind them every Spring. Down south lilacs and the first wildflowers blossomed one month ago. Up near Duluth, if you are within six miles of the big lake, and not over the ridge, the lilacs and lupines are in their glory right now (not to mention buttercups and the first daisies of the year)
Lupine Birding Drive (Finish before 9 am and the sun gets high in the sky / harsh)
Do NOT take my birding / lupine drive this Saturday morning (June 21st) if you need to drive Hwy 61 (the Expressway) to reach my starting point at North Shore Community School. Grandma’s Marathon will be in progress on Scenic 61 and traffic will be horrible from 5:00 am through about 12:00 noon.
Check out the power lines in front of the school directly opposite Ryan Road for Eastern Bluebirds. Use the school’s parking lot. Check the surrounding trees and shrubs for other birds. This spot will get better for birding in July as the various bird species young hatch.
Pull your car over and park next to the Marsh (on the wrong side of the road … very safe … zero traffic with room for any random cars to easily get by you)
Put your windows down
Enjoy (I had lots of birds and a large snapping turtle laying eggs)
Turn Around and drive back towards the Lake on McQuade Road till your Reach Pioneer Road
This is my 2nd post about my two visits to a Great Gray Owl nest which a few of us found in northern Minnesota. As the owlets have now fledged and are able to fly, the nest is empty, and the birds are safe. My two days of visiting were in early June. Read my post about my first visit to the nest (this is the 2nd). This post has both “flight training images” and “videos” of both owlets (found at the bottom this post)
The rains came overnight just prior to my second visit, and all the owls … Mom and the owlets were quite wet. Should you ever decided to hike into a back country boreal bog, wear FULL mosquito protect (head nets, gloves, etc). Trust me on this one!
First … wet Great Gray Owls (Momma and Owlet A)!
Great Gray Owlet B was Branching in the Sunshine, and had Dried Off
Momma Great Gray Owl Started Hunting, but Very Near the Nest! (Poppa Owl is the main hunter)
Owlet A Decided to Perform Flight Tests … Hanging On to the Nest for Dear Life While Wing Flapping!
Just prior to the owlet flight training escapades
Flight Training
Meanwhile Momma Owl started calling … I think she was asking for Poppa to make a food delivery.
Finally, prior to my videos, here are two pics of Owlet B Just Hanging Out!
And the Grand Finales … Great Gray Owlet Movies!
Great Gray Owlet A (video link for email subscribers)
Great Gray Owlet B (video link for email subscribers)
