Tag Archives: MN North: Amity

-15F Delays Breakfast! (-26C)

Year 3

The last few mornings it has been a bit cold … -15F (-26C). I’ve noticed in addition to puffing up their feathers against the severe temperatures, the birds are delaying their breakfast on these cold mornings by almost one hour! Sunrise locally is approximately 7:20 am. On warmer days birds visit my feeders by sunrise. Over the past few days, they wait till almost 8:30 am before feeding for the first time. I’ve also been surprised to see some slate colored juncos. They should have remained south. Two juncos and a few pine siskins have joined the 40+ common redpolls which visit my feeders in mass.

I understand! I’ve been delaying my cross-country ski workout till about noon when the temperature still struggles to reach 0F. The advance forecast for the Mora Vasaloppet (40 km race) this Saturday calls for about -10F at the start. I wish I could fluff out my feathers like the birds. Stay tuned!

Y3-M02-Common-Redpoll-2 Y3-M02-Common-Redpoll-1 Y3-M02-Slate-Colored-Junco

Bookending the Frozen Northern Winter Night

Year 3,

Last night was gorgeous … from a few hours after sunset to sunrise. Shortly after dawn this morning our eternal clouds and snow returned. Thus, what’s a lover of the outdoors to do? The obvious answer … enjoy the night!

The first photograph was taken around 10:20 pm and I title Amity Creek Moonglow. This frozen waterfall is only 200 yards from my front door. Life is good!
Amity-Creek-Waterfall-Moonglow

For the second and third photos I arose before dawn and drove up the North Shore of Lake Superior to the SplitRock River. I knew with the clouds disappearing over the lake to the east, sunrise should be worth the lost sleep. The colors did not disappoint. My surprise arose when the neatest sunrise photo was actually taken a few minutes after sunrise of the pedestrian tunnel under the highway. I’ve included a fourth photograph in order you’ll understand why I traveled to this remote shoreline.
Split-Rock-River-Tunnel-Sunrise-2 Split-Rock-River-Tunnel-Sunrise-4 Split-Rock-River-Tunnel-Sunrise-3

The Well Dressed Birder at -9F or -23C!

Year 3,
It is imperative that the birder / photographer always be fashionably dressed. My thanks to my wife who caught this rare beast on camera earlier this morning in Duluth, Minnesota. At the time the photograph was taken the temperature was -9F (-25F chill factor)!  For you Celcius folks that is -23C, and the wind pushes the chill factor down to -31C.
You will note that this gentleman is wearing Steger Mukluks, Choppers, and an American Birkebeiner 2012 Finisher head scarf . All these items are “de rigueur” for the serious winter birder!
The Fashionable Birder
Y3-M01-Birding-9-Below-Rich
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Goldeneyes enjoying crisp, clear water on the Arctic Riviera
Y3-M01-Birding-9-Below-Goldeneyes