Common Loon Wolfpack of Northstar Lake

Year 7

Dawn this morning saw me out for a kayak paddle on Northstar Lake. This lake is the first lake north of the Continental Divide. My cabin is in the Suomi Hills region of northern Minnesota, and the waters in my lake via the outlet are the first to flow north to Hudson’s Bay. All the lakes to our south, even just a few miles away flow south to the Gulf of Mexico.

I found this Common Loon wolfpack fishing together. Given the loon’s location on the lake, they were obviously fishing deep (100 feet deep where the birds were located). I suspect the loons were after ciscos. In some lakes Common Loons battle, even to the death, over fishing territory. Apparently there are lots of fish in Northstar Lake (at least if you are a loon!).

Northstar Lake Common Loon Wolfpack (fifth bird not pictured)

Video (link for email subscribers)

After watching the wolfpack from a distance of about fifteen yards I went over to inspect a nearby beaver mound. It was quite peaceful. Near the beaver’s home I found a newly hatched loon with its parents. It was obvious my presence was not desired, thus I bid a hasty adieu without taking any photographs of the loon family.

Northstar Lake Beaver Mound (video link for email subscribers)

Finally, while doing some chores last night at sunset these thunderheads showed their beauty. As the storms were all to my east they were of no concern.

Lake Superior Cycling (and Hoot!)

Year 7

Today was one of those days. After church I bicycled up the shore of Lake Superior. Given the forecast said 0% chance of rain, I did not check weather radar before heading out. Wrong move. Lake Superior generates its own weather, and the huge temperature difference between the cold waters of Gitche Gumee and humid air working its way northward from the Gulf of Mexico and Uff Dah.

The forecast may have been for zero rain, but liquid sunshine appeared in the form of an intense thunderstorm with small hail. I waited out the hail under a tree, but not the rain. The cold H20 felt good during my ride. Given the topography of the land, a thunderstorm can come up over the hill without much visual warning. Ancient Lake Superior had a shore which is about 1,200 feet above the current shoreline. When I want hill work for a bike ride I just turn left out of my driveway and am climbing for over four miles. Anyhow, the big lake is largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area.

From Wikipedia: “There is enough water in Lake Superior to cover the entire land mass of North and South America to a depth of 30 centimetres (12 in). The shoreline of the lake stretches 2,726 miles.”

It is interesting to note that the straight line distance from New York City to Los Angeles is about less mileage:  2,452 miles. My point is I don’t think most people realize just how big is my lake!

Oh yes … Hoot was out hunting this morning. My Great Horned Owls tend to snooze right at sunrise (5:20 am), but them come awake for a quick hunt starting around 7:30 am. By this point the bugs have started to appear deep in the forest … birds gather to eat the bugs … my owns gather to eat the birds. Grackles and Robins seem to be the target of opportunity for the juvenile owls.

Happy July 4th from Hoot!

Year 7

Happy Independence Day from Hoot, the Great Horned Owl!

I was planning on watching the full moon rise this evening, but clouds rolled in … thus Hoot was my evening entertainment. Saw her catch one robin.

Last night I happened to wake up at 3:30 am, and heard two of the owlets begging to be fed … right outside my bedroom window (i.e. the trees in our yard). That was very cool.

My evening with Hoot!

And a video (link for email subscribers)