I think I need to have my readers help me name my two friendly foxes. These two canines (one male and female) have been visiting our yard every evening about 40 minutes after sundown for the past ten days. I feel like I need to get on a first name basis with my friends.
Two nights ago, the fox couple met the skunk. They know who is the boss!
In addition, the Trumpeter Swans are now gone, but I captured these images just before the last open water disappeared … also two days ago.
Every night for the past week, the best TV show in town has been our living room window which looks out over my six bird feeders at the edge of the forest. Why is this spot the top ticket? The answer is, starting one hour after sundown, one gets to watch the gray fox couple enjoy a snack of sunflower seeds. This canine pair generally hangs around for 15 to 30 minutes. Last night I increased the food offerings by adding cracked corn and some apple slices under the feeders.
In the last two months, in addition to birds at our feeders, we have had repeat visits from the following animals:
Finally, I know that a pair of Great Horned Owls are using our yard to hunt. One may hear their hooting most calm mornings before sunset, or after dark in the early evening. I think the skunks and bears are finally starting their hibernations, thus their visits have now stopped.
Sorry that the photographs are not as crisp per my norm. Photographing moving animals at night is a challenge.
Duluth is also known at the Arctic Riviera. Thus, when a snow storm hit two hours before dawn, it was a HUGE invitation for me to get outside with my camera. Today’s wind is out of the northeast which mean big waves as they coming rolling down hundreds of miles of open water of Lake Superior. Thus, rather than being a “stay inside” type of day, I’ve had a great time outdoors. I will admit to having gotten wet due to the sloppy snow, but birding was easy. The snow concentrated birds in prime birding locations. However, taking photographs was a challenge! 🙂
Blue Morph Snow Goose Family
Snow Bunting
Red-Bellied Woodpecker
Snow Geese in the Snow Videos
Wave Videos from Canal Park: The first video was taken from the 2nd floor of the Duluth Marine Museum. For the second video I had moved outside, but unlike folks seen in my first video, I am well back of the Lakewalk. The waves were throwing up on shore 20 to 30 pound rocks. The tourists did not realize they were in danger … not from the waves but thrown rocks. I warned a few folks before I went back to my car.
And a photograph of our house from an hour before sunrise this morning, just as the storm was really getting started in the Duluth area.