Moose Family Videos! (Northern Minnesota)

Year 12

I have been tweaking the locations of my three trailcams over the past month based upon animal tracks, scat and locations which are trail choke points that are near water. I am certain that at least three moose families are featured in these videos, possibly four. My wilderness research is what allows me to occasionally have “in person” experiences … like this Canada Lynx!

Anyhow … family movies from the past month … all moose movie clips except for one short spot where my local Canada Lynx inspects my camera. Timber Wolves and Coyotes have also been regulars in my trailcams over the past 30 days … including “Poodle”! (a very large timber wolf whose tail looks like a poodle’s)

  • Moose Family Video 1: Movie link for email subscribers
  • Moose Family Video 2: Movie link for email subscribers

I also want to mention the night images and movies are taken with infrared light. Thus, the animals are NOT being blinded by any bright lights. Observe in any of the images or videos of bull moose, a new rack of antlers are under construction!

Moose Family Movies – Greenwood Bog

Moose Family Movies – Yukon Trail

Northstar Lake: Nest Selection Survey in Progress

Year 12

It most likely hard for all “you southern folk” to understand but up here in Minnesota’s Canadian Border Region nesting site surveys are under progress, and in many cases the ladies have not yet even arrived on the scene! Northstar Lake is deep and cold. Our water flows north to Hudson’s Bay. The reeds and rushes have not yet broken the water’s surface and many waterfowl including loons will not nest till emergent plants provided both nesting opportunities and camouflage for those same nests.

This morning I went birding by water, car, and foot. Shortly after sunrise I visited a pair of Common Loons which will nest within 150 yards of my cabin. Poppa Loon swam within 3 feet of my pontoon boat, but he hates my red kayak. I always figured the smaller boat would be better for birding, but the birds have taught me otherwise. I slowly approach birds; turn off the motor, and drift. Calm mornings are desired!

Northstar Lake Common Loon

Trumpeter Swans were out for a morning feed, and also have not yet nested.

These male Wood Ducks (and one Ring-Necked Duck) had finished breakfast and now were grooming themselves around 7:15 am.

And a video of these ducks! (video link for email subscribers)

You’ve heard of “swimming with the dolphins” in Florida. Up here in northern Minnesota our equivalent is “swimming with the loons”. Every summer for the past 35 years, our loon family moves in next to us! (see post … Swimming with the Loons)

Northstar Lake Cabin Wine Walk About + Birds

Year 12

Happy Memorial Day Weekend from the Northstar Nerd (i.e. me … a nickname I have had for a really long time). Anyhoo … I decided to play around with my new toy / drone, which I will never use near birds, but is still fun in the right circumstances! What could be better than visiting a small Northwoods cabin on this All American Holiday Weekend?! Thus, here is my first ever Northstar Lake Cabin Wine Walk About (video link for email subscribers)

Oh yes … I focus upon birds, and my oh my have the songbirds returned in the past few days up here near Canada on the Hudson Bay Watershed in northern Minnesota. I have decided to feature the Baltimore Orioles which returned today. I heard nary an oriole yesterday, but are they ever singing in my yard today.

Northstar Lake Baltimore Orioles (male then female)

And an Osprey at Sunrise

Finally, let’s remember the reason for this weekend … all the men and women who have served our country, and some paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives. I heard this person tell here story yesterday while out birding. It is worth a listen, and our thanks. Please, please listen to Army Major Carol Kirk, a Vietnam War Nurse. Browse to the Story Corps web site and her story.

I also have embedded the story in my post, but there is additional information about the Major on the Story Corps website. I had teary eyes after listening to her. They don’t mention when she tells her Vietnam story, that her own Dad died during World War II and her Uncle was killed in Korean War.

My Dad was a doctor who served during the Korean War. His hospital was a cave 400 yards from the front lines, and he took care / operating upon marine rifleman … many who died on the operating table. Dad hated war.