Duluth’s Largest Bird Feeder

Year 9

I have repeatedly stated in the winter, find the food source and find birds. Quite often this means bird feeders, but in Duluth the largest bird feeder may not be obvious to most folks, Canal Park. Once the shipping season ends (January 22nd this past shipping season), and the Coast Guard allows the harbor ice to form, Goldeneyes head for Canal Park. Because of water current, the shipping canal remains open and ice free for 2 to 5 weeks after the harbor ices. Both our native mussels and zebra mussels find the sides of the shipping canal a perfect space to live, and the Goldeneyes now pushed out of the harbor congregate in the Canal … Duluth’s largest bird feeder. This morning I saw well over 200 “eyes” feeding in the canal.

As more ice accumulates on Lake Superior, the mouths of North Shore streams, and the breakwaters in Two Harbors and Grand Marais are excellent “bird feeders”. In addition to Goldeneyes, Long Tailed Ducks also winter on Lake Superior and may occasionally be found. Both duck species love mussels. Finally, these two kinds of ducks are quite beautiful in terms of plumage. I plan repeat visits to Canal Park in the late afternoon when the sun shines almost directly down the canal for close-ups. If you make this visit, park behind the Paulucci Building and then walk over to the canal (path behind building). You MUST hide below the canal wall and then extremely slowly inch your way up by a light post for camouflage (I don’t stand up straight). Goldeneyes spook extremely easily.

Canal Park Goldeneyes

Saving the Northland for Future Generations.

Year 9

Hurray! President Biden this morning cancelled the two “precious metals” mining permits near the BWCA. While I understand the need for well paying jobs in northern Minnesota, no job is worth risking the chance my grandchildren will not be able to enjoy an unspoiled Northland.

I actually had to leave this area right after graduate school when I started my work career … St. Louis County had the 4th worst unemployment rate in the nation at over 20% of the workforce. Thus, I personally understand the need for jobs, but not at the risk of what makes northern Minnesota precious. Thankfully I am back in the area once more. Thank you, President Biden. Read about the mining permit cancellations via MPR.

I took this photograph about six years ago at the edge of the BWCA, the Aurora over the Pagami Creek Wildfire burn area.

I normally keep political discussions out of this blog, but it should be obvious to any reader I love the Northland. I am not affiliated with either major political party and have voted over the years for both Democrats and Republicans.

Signs of Spring??

Year 9

It was -22F on my car thermometer this morning as I headed out shortly before sunrise. The conditions could only be described as frigid. This cold morning I wondered whether I might be able to find some owls along Scenic 61 trying to get the benefit of what little thermal warmth the golden orb might offer (no!). I did see Pine Grosbreaks and Bohemian Waxwings, but not in terms of photo opportunities.

Why “Signs of Spring”? In the pre-dawn darkness this morning my local Great Horned Owls were hooting their mutual love. I know from past year’s experience the owls will nest within two weeks. In addition, a few Horned Larks and Snow Buntings are already making their way back north. If you find some open ground scraped clean by a snowplow, it is not unusual to find these birds near the Superior Airport. Thus, even in the deep of winter, if you know where to look or listen, there is hope!

Having said that it was just darn cold this morning. Here are three images I snapped shortly after sunup. The fishermen are hardier than me. It was -19F at the time I took the photographs, and I was not particularly interested in hiking. My sojourn outside will be this afternoon as the mercury soars to about -8F.

Two Harbors Breakwater (the haze or fog is sea smoke … mist that rises due to the water being much warmer than the surrounding air)