Forest Fire Aurora Borealis

May 9, 2016Year 3MN North: Rossini Road, Northern Lightsrichardhoeg@gmail.com

We leave for Scotland tomorrow, and the start of our month long tour. I was debating what camera equipment to bring in my bike panniers, and a phenomenal display of Northern Lights two nights ago decided the issue for me.

The Aurora danced across the sky here in northern Minnesota, and in Scotland. I would have been devastated to have been in Scotland and not have been able to photograph the display. Thus, I will bring both my Canon SX-60 Super Zoom and my small Sony NEX-5T mirrorless cameras. The Sony shines for night and landscape photos. The SX60 lets me get close to birds and wildlife (60x optical zoom). As always I will have a monopod strapped to my panniers.

Many folks might consider this amount of camera equipment excessive on a self-supported bicycle tour, but the world is a beautiful place … and I love to record it! I used to also bring a small tripod, but even I decided that was a bit much!

We start riding on Thursday! An area writer will be enjoying our home as she works on a new book and gets ready for some seminars. Finally, It was great to find a friend who would both enjoy our unique spot here in the Northland, and protect our home by house sitting.

To follow our tour:

Molly’s Blog: Superior Footprints
My Daily Bike Diary of the Crazy Guy on a Bike Portal
(and)
My blog (i.e. right here!)

Forest Fire Aurora … a remote lake in northern Minnesota. The smoke from both the Canadian fires and our local Skibo fire are evident in the sky.

Mother’s Day Aurora Borealis / Northern Lights Display!

May 8, 2016Year 3MN North: Knife River, Northern Lightsrichardhoeg@gmail.com

The sky danced in honor of Mother’s Day early this morning. Just shows you Moms are truly special!

Shortly after midnight I hiked down into the Knife River Ravine. This trail is about 15 miles north of Duluth, and then inland from Lake Superior. I was standing in the river around 12:30 am when I took this photo, and thankfully had thought ahead and brought tall waterproof muck boots. This was just “after” the sky had really started to explode! The lights were shimmering and dancing all the way up to the Zenith. The second image was taken a few moments earlier than the first photograph when the color was “greener”.

Camera settings: 1,600 ISO, 4.0 second exposure, 2.0 aperture using a Rokinon wide angle lens on a Sony NEX-5T mirrorless camera.

Mother’s Day 2016 Aurora Borealis Display … Knife River, Northern Minnesota

Re-Engaging with Warmth … Birds “Loving” It!

May 7, 2016Year 3MN North: Canosia Wildlife Area, MN North: NorthStar Lake Region, MN North: Western Waterfront Trailrichardhoeg@gmail.com

Over the past few days, the winds out of the Northeast off Lake Superior have blown themselves out, and warm southern winds have taken over in the Northland. With this change of wind direction, along with a few showers, the first bug hatches have occurred and the local flora and fauna have begun to get ready to raise families.

Two days ago, I drove up to NorthStar Lake which is a bit shy of the Minnesota / Canadian border. We own a small cabin on Federal forest land which is our special place in the wilderness. In addition to chores such as setting up the water system (i.e. wading out into the lake … 40 degree water), I took my first kayak paddle and said hello to our local loon family. I look forward to seeing their chicks in late June and early July.

Yesterday, the south winds blew fiercely and for a short time in the afternoon our local temperature (95F) was warmer that Death Valley, California! Go figure!? With the warm weather and bug hatch the first warblers have returned to the woods, and the local Osprey and Great Blue Heron families are getting on with family planning!

Sunrise Rainbow … on the way to the cabin.