Tag Archives: MN North: Amity

The Colors and Sounds of Summer!

Year 10, ,

Tuesday will be the 1st of August, and the formal kickoff of the fall migration here in the Northwoods. While a few bird species are already southward bound, the bug eaters will pull out of the woods in early August. Chirping warblers will be history for another year. In the meantime, it is a time of plenty. I’ve been enjoying both the sights and sounds of Summer.

Most days start off around 5 am when my resident pair of White-Tailed Deer Bucks visit my bird feeders. The bucks are in velvet.

White-Tailed Bucks in Velvet

and the movie (video link for email subscribers)

This morning it was 5:45 am when I started my morning hike. Sunrise on July 28th was at the same time, and by being out in the woods right at sunup it is easy to find hungry owlets which are begging for a handout from Mom. Such was the case this morning with the Great Horned Owlets. I heard them from 250 yards away, and quickly set up shop underneath the white pine tree where they were hoping to get a visit from Mom. I could hear her responding to their calls about another 200 yards distant, but there were no food deliveries this morning.

FuzzBall and Junior Great Horned Owlets

And the movie … I have no idea what the owlets were watching! (video link for email subscribers)

Did I mention the sounds and colors of summer? This is the time of year when I often sit in the garden next to the Bee Balm. The Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds often announce their visits by first checking me out inches away from my head … thus the humming sound. If the wind is calm enough I am able to hear the hummingbirds singing to each other.

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird (female getting food for nestlings)

The Red-Fox kits are still leading a life of leisure. Hunting excursions to the near by hay bales are required, but still the kits do not head out on true hunting excursions.

Red Fox Kit Hunting on a Hay Bale

One event that takes place now is many loons, ducks, grebes and geese lose their ability to fly as flight feathers moult.  This Red-Necked Grebe was fishing Lester River three afternoons ago. There are lots of first of year smelt, trout and salmon begging to be eaten!

Red-Necked Grebe

Quite often the drive over to where I intend to bird is beautiful. Yesterday morning a bit before 6 am rain was working its way out of the region, and thus I was able to chase a rainbow near the Artichoke River.

Chasing a Rainbow in Bog Country

Artichoke River at Sunrise

Finally I love living near Lake Superior (about 800 yards). While most of North America is in the midst of a heat wave, our temperatures rarely exceed 75F. The windows in our home are always wide open which brings the sounds of summer inside every minute of the day. Life is good!

Finally, I initially forgot to insert the Alligator Snapping Turtle in yesterday’s post. Thus for my email subscribers … here is “Speedy with an Attitude”

Raspberries +Thimbleberries = Owls!

Year 10, , ,

I had my first “yummy” owl hike yesterday afternoon. Summer’s berries are becoming ripe in the Northwoods, and the birds (and small mammals) are very aware of this fact. For me ripening berries means I get to snack as I walk, but it also attracts other consumers which are perfect prey for young owls learning to hunt. In one of my bigger berry patches I found both Great Horned Owlets yesterday afternoon. Thimbleberries like shade, and the owls love the fact that this fruit grows underneath some of their favorite white pine perches.

I am pretty certain FuzzBall is the owlet in the back of these photographs. Fuzz is the older owlet, and thus has darker plumage. Junior still looks younger. Regardless, it was great to find them.

The Osprey Twins are getting big! As I drove past them once again an hour later Mom Osprey had left them in the nest alone for the first time. Big chicks require both parents actively fishing.

Once I actually got to Sax-Zim Bog, my best “bird” was this Alligator Snapping Turtle on Admiral Road. I was hoping I might find a few juvenile Great Gray Owls. I did see multiple Northern Harrier Couples hunting. Just like the Osprey family, the Harriers need to have both parents hunting for their young.

Finally, as the sun rose a bit in the sky and the day warmed, I was reminded by this Red Fox Kit of the song … Bring Back the Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer.

In closing pay attention to mid Summer to late Summer food sources. The birds are not starting to actively use these foods. Here on the shores of Lake Superior, some of the first southern migrants are now appearing as they leave the Arctic and start their long journeys to winter habitat. Remember, during the fall migration, birds will often linger in an area for significant periods of time if good food sources are near by.

In my own garden, the Bee Balm is starting to bloom, which means Chardonnay and Hummers!

Beauty in the Countryside

Year 10, ,

Life has been good to this intrepid wildlife lover over the past 48 hours. If viewing the wildflowers (Black Eyes Susans now appearing) as I cruise and walk the backroads and trails were not enough, beautiful birds keep jumping in front of my camera. One HUGE thing I love about northern Minnesota is the serenity and peacefulness I experience. It is not unusual to drive or hike for over 30 minutes without seeing another car on the road or human on the trail. In addition, no matter what you think you may see, nature provides a different playlist. Yesterday evening while birding an old apple farm just before sunset I was hoping to see Barred Owls I know live in the area. However, much to my surprise male Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers kept landing on fence posts a short distance away. I spent over 20 minutes with the sapsuckers!

Of course my own Great Horned Owls have entered into the equation. In the last 48 hours I have taken four hikes in the Lester / Amity Forest, and found the owls every time. The youngsters are now screeching softly as they beg for a meal.  Thus, if you recognize the sound it really helps find the owl family. In addition, the thimbleberry plants where I hike have leafed out and often provide evidence of owl whitewash on green leaves. Two evenings ago I found Mom Owl based upon the whitewash on the thimbleberry plants at the base of a white pine. I stopped, stared up and guess who was staring right down at me?!  I then paid attention to which way mom owl was looking most of the time and the location of one of the owlets was revealed 100 yards distant. 

Of course, even “ugly” can be beautiful. It would appear Turkey Vulture young have fledged if the number of vultures I am seeing now is any indication … and yes … turkey vultures can be beautiful!

Finally, did I mention wildflowers. Apparently Ruffed Grouse also like flowers. I think these yellow flowers are a kind a pea plant that grows commonly up here in the Northland on the sides of the road.

I was out this morning and had more unexpected finds, but that is a story for tomorrow! I need to work on the photographs I took this morning. Stay tuned …