John Beargrease Sled Dog Race 2022

Year 9

Before there were roads on the North Shore, and after the winter shipping season on Lake Superior ended each year due to ice, there was John Beargrease!

“For almost twenty years, between 1879 and 1899, John Beargrease and his brothers delivered the mail between Two Harbors and Grand Marais by sled dog team. With the limited equipment available and loads weighing as much as 700 lbs. The trip was made once a week…an incredible feat for one man to accomplish especially when you consider the constant range of altitude along the shore.” (read more via JohnBeargrease.Com)

Now each winter the sled dog race marathon honors this Anishinabe Native American. This afternoon the race started in rural Duluth. In a few days the marathon will end after 400 miles … up the shore of Lake Superior on the Grand Portage Indian Reservation (this tribe is the major sponsor of the race). The mushers are both male and female, and there is only “one race” (not one for men, and one for women).

Molly and I watched the mushers and their teams for two hours late this morning. Although the trail itself is packed, once you step even inches to the side one is in thigh deep snow! A great time! All of these photos were captured using a wide angle, non telephoto lens. I am standing within a foot of the trail.

Two Different Sled Dog Teams (maximize these photos to get the full effect)

Jennifer Freking: #9

Alice White: #2

A Short Video (50 seconds … slomo of final team)(link for email subscribers)

Sunset Snowy Owl Take-Off on the Arctic Riviera

Year 9

After six days of severe cold (well below zero) and high winds, the weather moderated. Although it was supposed to be cloudy yesterday afternoon, life was good and the skies cleared. I went looking for Snowy Owls. Right before sunset I found an owl on a HUGE snow pile. The sunset was magical. The Snowy actually flew right by me at eye level only five yards away when it took off for the evening hunt. As it passed my spot, it glanced over at me and then disappeared over a small hill. Wow! It was a Snowy Owl treat I will always remember.

Pre-Sunset … from an oblique angle to the sun

Post-Sunset … directly in line with the sun beneath the horizon (you can actually see the owl kicking up some snow as it lifts off)

Darn Cold & Windy Birding

Year 9,

This week has been tough in terms of birding. How else could one describe every morning when the temperatures are -10F (or colder), and 20 mph winds (or worse). I thought my trials and tribulations had finally ended a bit before sundown yesterday when I discovered a Snowy Owl which was very close (not 200 miles distant across a field). I took the one image in this post and then moved to the other side of the building. I was even closer, and the wind insured the bird could only take off right towards me. Fantastic! However, I then realized my camera would seem to be pointed right towards an apartment. Although I was not actually aiming towards their window, but ten feet above, I was not willing to risk spooking people out.  I left the area. My point, be cognizant of your location before taking photographs.

At home I have been enjoying some “red birds”. Both Common Redpolls and a Red-Belled Woodpecker are frequent visitors.