Splitrock Lighthouse Shipping Season Finale Sea Smoke!

Year 7

It was -18F at 7 am this morning, which was 45 minutes before sunrise. The windchill was -35F. Most people might think it would be a good morning to sit by a warm fire, but that would be wrong! Instead, I left my house at 6:15 to arrive at the Splitrock Lighthouse overlook long before sunup.

Why? Last night I knew some magical conditions might come together in the glorious pre-dawn light:

  • Clear Skies
  • Sea Smoke (formed when temperatures drop well below zero)
  • Freighters sailing down to the North Shore to avoid ice buildup given NW winds

Here are two photographs of the American Spirit Ore Boat which was Duluth bound for winter layup. In fact, today is the last day of this year’s shipping season. The Sault Locks close today and shipping on Lake Superior ends till spring.

This begs the question, how did I know it would be worth the drive to go up the shore? Research! Last night I checked both the Duluth Ship Tracking web site, then my Marine Traffic Tracking App, and finally my photography app (PlanIt Pro) for the sun angle. I needed to answer these questions:

  1. Were there still ships on Lake Superior? (yes).
  2. When is arrival in Duluth / Superior expected and would that put the ships somewhere I could capture a pre-dawn light image? (yes)
  3. Given the weather conditions, were the two ships avoiding the direct route via the South Shore and taking the longer North Shore route to Duluth and therebye escaping the NW wind and potential ice buildup? (yes)

When I got out of bed shortly before 6 am, I once again checked the Marine App and was pleased to see both the American Spirit and Burns Harbor were somewhat off the coast of Lutsen on the North Shore. Next I checked the details for the American Spirit to determine its speed. Given the ships speed and distance remaining to Splitrock, I felt a drive up the shore had decent chance of success. The American Spirit should sail by Splitrock Lighthouse in the pre-dawn light in the midst of Sea Smoke. This was NOT a lucky shot; the photograph was well planned.

Here are some screenshots which give you an idea of my research.

Finally, the Burns Harbor was only ten miles behind the American Spirit. It eventually sailed into view and yielded a nice photograph.

 

Sax-Zim Bog American Three-Toed Woodpecker!

Year 7

I spent the morning and early afternoon in Sax-Zim Bog.  A hike into the Winterberry Bog yielded a rare sighting, a male American Three-Toed Woodpecker. Given the remote wilderness areas this woodpecker inhabits, most folks would never see this bird. In addition, this woodpecker never visits feeders … flaking off bark for its tasty meals found underneath.

American Three-Toed Woodpecker

I also had fun watching this Northern Hawk Owl hunt. Just like when I last saw this bird almost 7 weeks ago, it is hanging out near a logging operation enjoying voles and mice scared up by crashing trees.

Northern Hawk Owl

Finally, for those of you in Florida, Molly and I are coming south. We will be in the Fort Myers area between January 23rd and 30th. Suggestions for birding excursions are definitely most welcome … perhaps even meeting some of you Floridians!

My thanks to Ed L. who took me over to the Bog today. While I am driving and my eyes are much, much better … it is nice to be a passenger.

Lake Superior Sunrise!

Year 7

40 minutes before sunrise while enjoying a morning read in front of the fireplace, I realized the light starting to appear through the pine trees heralded a beautiful sunrise. I quickly threw on some warm clothes and drove down to the Lake Superior shoreline near my house. The big lake did not disappoint!

Lester River Lake Superior Sunday Serenity Sunrise

The Lester River Bridge Twenty Minutes Before Dawn

For my birding friends, I then explored for over an hour the inland area between Duluth and Two Harbors. Nothing. It appears we will not have any owls setting up hunting territories this year on the North Shore. Sax-Zim Bog is ground zero for in that respect.