Sparrowhawk Song (the movie!)

Year 6

Fishermen have favorite fishing holes. Well, birders have favorite thickets of trees, and this morning a bit after sunrise “one of my favorites” paid off big time! Over the past few weeks I had gone over to Cloverland (see Wisconsin Wetlands … my birding locations). During the last three summers, I had found a pair of red-headed woodpeckers nesting in this particular thicket of trees. Unfortunately, my red-heads have not appeared this summer (the Northland is the fringe of their range). However, my thicket of trees on the corner of Green Acres Road (think 1960’s TV comedy) and Wisc. Hwy 13 continues to produce.

This morning I found recently fledged Sparrowhawks, or American Kestrels. Normally it is impossible to get close to these birds, but by using my thicket of trees for cover, jackpot! This little guy was trying to sing for his supper (or breakfast), but mom and dad were having none of it … fly or no food! The movies where you will be able to hear the fledgling begging follow the still images.

Sparrowhawk Fledgling

Begging for Food … the Movies (movie 1 … movie 2)

North Shore Bicycle Birding Bald Eagle Take-Off!

Year 6

It’s not often you get to watch a Bald Eagle take off from above, but during today’s bicycle ride I suddenly spied an eagle sitting on a small cliff overlooking Lake Superior. Thankfully I was above the eagle and I knew given the wind, the geology of this cliff, and my location our nation’s bird would have to take off towards me … giving me a unique vantage point.

Now a pause for a few birding photography comments. One reason I really like super zoom cameras is that this kind of camera easily fits in my bicycle front handlebar bag. Remember, you can never take the picture if you don’t have the camera with you!

In addition, continuous high speed mode means the sequence of seven images took place over the course of 1/2 second. If you are taking wildlife photographs, you need to use your highest burst / continuous mode for all photographs you take. While all the pictures are good, numbers 4 and 5 are my favorites.

Happy 4th of July!!!

Bald Eagle Take-Off on a North Shore Lake Superior Cliff

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Image 5

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Image 7

Northstar Lake Thunder Storm

Year 6

I took this photograph last night at 2 am just before a severe thunder storm hit our Northstar Lake cabin. Everyone is okay except for lost sleep. Could not capture a lightning bolt, but as the storm got closer I was not willing to be outside with my camera! The loudest thunder clap set every loon on the lake to wailing. Another big storm hit at 5 am.

The youngest grandchild slept through the entire event!