Sometimes you see strange things while bicycling. This morning I took a 20 mile ride not too far south of the Canadian border. Suddenly out of the corner of my eye I noticed vivacious color. A lifer! The extremely rare North American Green and Orange Dabbler. This duck was enjoying the early morning light in a remote swamp. It was obviously very tired after its long migration which had started down in Patagonia. I cautiously got off my bicycle and took this perfect photograph!

Last night Molly and I visited our Common Loon nest … still no chicks. It’s now time to get on the pontoon and take a Happy Hour Cruise … the Chardonnay is chilled. Life is good here in northern Minnesota, and birding does not get much better.

This Yellow Warbler was signing out from the top of the tallest pine tree next to the highway as I took my bicycle ride this morning. Birds are still starting the nesting process this far north.

My primary reason for taking this particular biking route was I had promised to check for a friend whether the Showy Lady Slippers were blooming yet (Answer: Not yet. It’s still about two weeks early). However soon this area will be one of the best wildflower routes in Northeastern Minnesota. In addition to hundreds and hundreds of Lady Slippers, there will be thousands of other wildflowers in bloom. If you have the opportunity in the latter part of June, get out in the countryside. It will be an explosion of color and delight for the eyes.

Location of my Wildflower Route (Suomi Hills … Northern Minnesota)