Signs of Summer: Steam Engines and Lupine!

Year 4

The frozen Northland is frozen no more. In fact, summer is now just around the corner. In addition to birds, tourists are returning to the area! The NorthShore Scenic Railroad finished the restoration of Historic Steam Engine #28 (Duluth and Northeastern Railroad). While on a bike ride this afternoon up the NorthShore I chanced upon the steam engine out for a Sunday drive. While my ride was a workout, I always carry a camera with me. I adjusted my route and mileage and enjoyed a few miles of biking along #28! In a sure sign of Summer, I found some early blooming lupine … truly a Kodak Photo Moment when combined with the steam engine!

I also took a three videos. In the first video you get to hear the whistle. In the second one gets a close-up of the drive wheels, and in the final video the lupine appear. Ah … summer!

Northland Love!

Year 4, , ,

Although our weather can be highly variable … with temperature drops of 30 degrees when the wind shifts off Lake Superior, our local populace has been busy either raising families, or making preparations.

Merlin Hunting for Breakfast (mouth of Lester River on Lake Superior)

Mom Always Liked You Best! (Trumpeter Swan family at MacQuarrie Wetlands)

My Cover Appears to be Blown!

Snapping Turtle Laying Down Eggs

Calling Out for a Mate (Wilson’s Snipe at the Roy Johnson Wetlands)

Searching for a Mate (Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker)

Hawk Ridge … Not Just for Raptors Anymore!

Year 4

While bicycling in rural northwestern Wisconsin yesterday I noticed quite a few Indigo Buntings. This was a sign for me that some of our latest migrants back to the Northland had finally returned. Thus, last night after supper I drove the two short miles up to Hawk Ridge. While most folks know Hawk Ridge as one of the premier Autumn raptor migration locations in North America, during the late Spring when songbirds are migrating north the extensive wild fruit and berry trees attract lots of birds on calm, clear mornings. Actually the birds may be up at Hawk Ridge on cold, wet, windy and foggy days, but I prefer to stay home! 🙂

Note: Hawk Ridge is a great fall raptor migration viewing spot because hawks while migrating south run into Lake Superior. Raptors do not like to fly across large bodies of water, and thus they fly hundreds of miles down the North Shore of Lake Superior till the birds reach the end of the lake (Duluth). Out hill on calm warm days provide both great thermals for the hawks, and good viewing opportunities for us birders. From Hawk Ridge down to the lake is a drop of about 600 feet.

Hawk Ridge did not disappoint. In the 30 minutes before the sun dipped below the horizon, I was treated to a sunset with Golds, Greens and Indigo!

Indigo Bunting at Sunset

I returned at sunrise, the enjoyed a crystal clear calm morning (37F at 5:30 am). Here are a few of the birds I found this morning … and the John G. Munson arriving the Duluth harbor at sunrise (the view from Hawk Ridge out over Lake Superior towards town).

The John G. Munson Arriving at the Duluth Harbor

Chestnut-Sided Warbler

Great Crested Flycatcher (Singing Out and Coughing Up!)

Cedar Waxwing Eating Blossoms