Blue Moons and Birds!

Year 2,

I consider myself lucky to live in the Northland. Photographic opportunities abound, and the day of the Blue Moon was no different (Friday, July 31st). After a session with my kingfisher family, I awaited moonrise and sunset. In both instances, my photoshoot locations were Northland Rivers that provided my both beauty and opportunity.

Over the past week I’ve had fun watching the kingfisher kids on the Lester River at the edge of Duluth. Between London Road and Superior Street along 61st Avenue East there are a number of ravine overlooks. Kingfishers, a bird which spooks very easily, occationally don’t look up which thus provides me my photo ops!

Finishing with the kingfishers, I drove over to the Amnicon River just outside of Superior Wisconsin. Located high above the river is the Davidson Windmill. This windmill was completed in 1904 by Finnish immigrants to the area. Thanks to the use of PlanIt! I knew when and where the moon would be rising … thus the reason for my trip to the local windmill.

The Kingfisher Kids
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Blue Moon!
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July Bird Boredom: Not!

Year 2,

This is the second in my new series, July Bird Boredom (first post). Folks tell me that July means bad birding opportunities, which just is NOT true. Yesterday I needed to be down in the Minneapolis area, and thus I grabbed the opportunity to visit the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge shortly after sunrise.

Although the birding opportunities are not as dramatic as earlier in the summer when birds are “a courting”, I think you’ll find using these birds as evidence, birding in July is anything but boring. It is important to get out early. Given the sun rises in these parts not to long after 5 am, one must be willing to get up early. If one waits till 9 or 10 am to head out, you won’t see anywhere near as many birds.

Eastern Phoebe
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Dickcissel
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Bald Eagle (immature)
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Tree Swallows
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Trumpeter Swans
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White Pelican
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Pied Bill Grebe (chick)
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Wood Duck
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Sandhill Cranes
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Sharp Shinned Hawk (greeted me when I got home!)
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Lester River Birding Report

Year 2

I took a sunrise bike ride up the shore of Lake Superior this morning from Duluth as far as French River. With the gale force winds there were not many birds out on the big lake itself, but I found huge numbers of birds at Lester River upon returning to Duluth and turning up the hill at 61st Avenue East. Unfortunately the sun had now disappeared behind the clouds which made for difficult photography. However, work all the overlooks from the river mouth up to the Lakewalk Bridge over the river. At 6:45 am this morning I saw:

  • A Family of Kingfishers
  • A Huge flock of Cedar Waxwings (berry supply is plentiful on the trees)
  • A new brood of Common Merganser Chicks and their mom.

I don’t expect any of these birds to move far today. The winds will keep the mergansers off Lake Superior. The chicks are only a few days old, and much to small to handle the big waves. The Kingfisher parents have been in this area for over a month and I would be extremely surprised if the newly fledged Kingfisher kids move out of the area soon. Finally the berry supply for the cedar waxwings should last a few days.

Cedar Waxwings
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Belted Kingfisher
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