Old Vermilion Trail Skiing (and Birding)

Year 9

Old Vermilion is back! Long time readers (and skiers) know that I used to maintain Nordic Ski Trails in the woods on public land a bit north of Duluth. The last two winters were lost due to my health, but I am back with a vengeance and therefore so is Old Vermilion! Sunday I walked the trail with my bow saw and cleared downed trees from two years worth of weather. I may bring back a bird feeder or two, but no promises. The new location for public feeders at French River Lutheran Church is much easier to maintain, and right on the migration path up and down the shore. I even had supervision on Sunday afternoon to insure I did my trail clearing properly!

My Supervisor

Trail Map

Old Vermilion Trail … typical

A Shadow Selfie

For those of you who don’t know about my heart problem that almost killed me two years ago, here is my story as told by CBS-3. I’m back to trail running!

Stony River Forest Road Bike Ride

Year 9,

When a south wind was blowing warmly, I knew I had to enjoy one of the last mild afternoon in Northwoods. I drove up to Stony River Forest Road, and parked eight miles in along a the dirt road … and biked from that point. The colors and birding were great. I decided to take photographs and videos to better demonstrate how the firebreak constructed for last year’s Greenwood Forest Fire has helped nature’s rebirth. One now finds a 20 mile long 100 / 125 yard never ending meadow / bog next to the road … and wildlife loves it!

The Starting Location for my Ride (8 miles from the nearest paved road)

Two Short Videos … my ride (video links for email subscribers: one | two)

A Spruce Grouse with whom I had a stare-down!

While driving home, I always swing through Two Harbor’s Lakeview Cemetery. One will often find migrating geese and songbirds. In addition to lots of Canada Geese, I found four Cackling Geese and one Snow Goose yesterday. Both bird species had been pushed west off their normal migration paths by strong winds. Here is a breeding map from Cornell for Snow Geese which I further annotated to also include the Cackling Goose. As you may see, the recent goose migration arrivals come from the Arctic Ocean.

Cackling Goose (not a Canada Goose … much smaller and a different physique)

Snow Goose

First Fall Great Gray Owl!

Year 9

It is the time of year when young boys (and old guys like me) get excited. Every Fall Great Gray Owls start hunting after sunrise and nearer the roadside. All summer long the “gray ghost of the forests” are deep in the Bog, and rarely show themselves where humans dare to tread.

The weather forecast was perfect this morning for owling  … dead calm winds and overcast. Thus, long before sunrise I got in the car and drove northward arriving at one of my favorite spots as the sun was rumored to be coming up behind the clouds. When two of my favorite locations yielded me zippo, I changed strategy and Voila!

This Great Gray Owl hated, REALLY HATED noise. After dumping my car and slowly walking towards the owl, I learned walking on dirt / gravel was NOT an action desired by the bird (too noisy). When I moved my small and slow steps to the grassy area off to the side of the road, my presence was tolerated. Remember, these owls hunt using their hearing.

This morning’s Great Gray Owl

Playing Red Light / Green Light with the Great Gray! (none of the images are cropped)

Was convinced I had gotten too close, but nope!