Lighthouse Bird Photography

May 7, 2014BackgroundWI North: Superior Entryrichardhoeg@gmail.com

Without intending to create a sub-theme for this project, one has evolved on its own … lighthouse bird photography! The combination of birds, lighthouses and Lake Superior appears to be something I can not resist!

My wife and I hiked out to the Superior Entry Breakwater (six mile hike) today. Of course this meant a new lighthouse photographic opportunity. Even though the calendar says we are now well into the month of May, Lake Superior said otherwise! Between the ever present lake ice which has not yet melted, 30mph winds and a +37F temperature it was COLD while I took these picture. It was worth every freezing moment. Hope you enjoy today’s lighthouse photographs. The first picture has a bird! In addition, you may use this link to review all my lighthouse photographs and blog entries made during this project (gets updated)

As of today, I now have photographs of birds with the following lighthouses: Duluth Canal Park (all three lighthouses), Superior Entry Lighthouse, and the Two Harbors Breakwater Lighthouse!

View this project’s Flickr photo stream. (click upon image to view at full size)

Superior Entry Breakwater Lighthouse and Ship Traffic

Day 104: Takeoff of the Dawn Patrol (photo)

May 6, 2014Year 1MN North: Mouth of the Lester Riverrichardhoeg@gmail.com

The sun is rising earlier and earlier. I now must get to Lake Superior by 5:30 am. However, the effort of getting out of bed by 5 am is worthwhile. Here are two photos taken at sunrise this morning at the mouth of the Lester River on the north shore of Lake Superior. The ducks are buffleheads.

View this project’s Flickr photo stream. (click upon image to view at full size)

Takeoff of the Dawn Patrol

———-

Ice Flows at Dawn!

Day 103: Northern Migration Termination

May 5, 2014Year 1MN North: Duluth Harbor, WI North: Superior Entryrichardhoeg@gmail.com

The migration of birds north is temporarily terminated in the Duluth, Minnesota harbor. Every inland lake to our east, west and north is still ice bound (May 5th). Thus, even though Lake Superior is still 60+% covered with ice itself, it is the only only show in town in terms of open water for ducks. The harbor would not be ice free if not for the efforts of the US Coast Guard icebreakers to get the shipping season started.

Here are some photos from today. At a glance one could easily see thousands of ducks. I also have a short video of a few of the ducks taken shortly before sunset.