Red-Headed Woodpeckers Mating (Fish Lake Nature Trails)

Year 12

I had an appointment down in the Twin Cities late this morning. Thus, I decided to leave early enough to both hike the Fish Lake Nature Trails (Google Maps GPS Link) in East Bethel (a northern suburb on the fringes of the metro) and look for birds. These trails and their Savannah habitat are noted for Red-Headed Woodpeckers. If you are coming from the north and heading over to Minneapolis (not St. Paul), the detour will not add much time to your drive, but the birding may delay your arrival!  🙂

The University of Minnesota manages this habitat for research, which limits these area one may hike in the Spring & Summer, but a visit is till worth the price of admission (free). Three volunteers were doing a formal bird count for the U of M, but those were the only other folks enjoying the beautiful morning.

I was dumbfounded to actually find a fight taking place over one female Red-Headed Woodpecker, and then to actually get photographs of the couple mating. Enjoy!!

Red-Headed Woodpeckers Mating

The Female Having a Time Out Afterwards!

Red-Headed Woodpecker Take-Off and Flight

Greenwood Creek Big Forest Fires

Year 12

I was up at the feeders yesterday morning, taking multiple hikes. When I started home I could tell the high winds and dry conditions had really expanded the forest fires. This morning I have now learned my birding area has been added to the evacuation zone. Stay Away from Lake County 2 and US Forest Service Road 11 (Town Line Road). Governor Walz has called out the National Guard (President Trump laid off US Forest Service firefighters earlier this spring). This image is very near where I was hiking yesterday. Prayers for folks who live in the region.

Sherburne National Wildlife Preserve Prairie’s Edge Wildlife Drive

Year 12

The family gathered in the Twin Cities to baptize our eighth grandchild, but as the younger generation when not at work (or school) tends to sleep in on weekends. Thus early mornings I could go birding and my choice both Saturday and Sunday was to visit the Sherburne National Wildlife Preserve (NW of the Twin Cities). I arrived both days around 7 am, and drove the seven mile dirt road loop. The wetlands and hardwoods makes for a birding Mecca. This time of year different birds are arriving back north from migration daily. This is an excellent place to visit from Spring through Fall. Here is the GPS Google Maps Link.

Just a few of the bird species I saw …

Belted Kingfisher (female)

Eastern Kingbird

Green Heron

Red-Winged Blackbird

Sandhill Crane (and blue-winged teal)

Yellow Warbler

My granddaughter’s baptism! (private ceremony before church)