Tag Archives: MN North: Amity

Advance Planning Photography

Year 7,

How does one get the shot? In my case my goal is to photography the Milky Way just a few thousand feet from the Canadian Border of Minnesota in the BWCA. The answer to the question is “advanced planning’. While I have never been in the exact location where I intend to visit late tonight, I have seen it “in my mind” and using online tools. Today’s post will walk you through the thought process behind my planned photograph. Tomorrow’s post will show you the result … good or bad. (see the results!)

My tools for this planning session are Google Maps (normal and satellite view), the Android App PlanIt Pro, and a Lunar Moon Phase App.

First … a screenshot of Google Maps Satellite View. I am located at the red pin maker.

Still using Google Maps, I zoom in using Satellite View. While I am staying at Gunflint Pines, I know the Milky Way is in the SW sky this time of year. For my photograph I want water, preferably calm water for reflected stars. Using Google Maps I zoom in and out looking for views to the southwest.

My Android App notes the skies where I am located at truly dark … a number 1 rating.

My research via Google Maps found the Cross River at its outlet from Gunflint Lake. Further research via PlanIt Pro gives me the exact location of the Milky Way at 10:06 pm … about 2 hours and 20 minutes after sunset. Normally, true darkness starts two hours after sundown. This location looks to give me water for reflected stars, and protection from any wind. We shall see. Remember … although I have spent a reasonable amount of time on the Gunflint Trail over the years, I have never been to this exact location.

Just providing a more zoomed out screenshot which will help folks better understand my location.

Finally a quick check of the Lunar Phases Map. The moon will not be an issue at 10:15 pm, and really all night … 21% illumination is not too much.

Anyhow … you now have an idea of my advanced planning which goes into tonight’s Milky Way photograph. Results tomorrow!

Oh yes … this is a blog about birds! I found one of my Great Horned Owls this morning about 7 am. For the past two weeks I had not been able to find any of the owls, nor have I heard the youngsters begging at night (was an almost nightly occurrence during July and August). I am beginning to wonder if the juvenile owls have finally been kicked out of the parent’s territory (normal).

Regardless, the owl was way up high, sleepy, and not open to much of any decent photographs.

Birds are Lazy!

Year 7

Well … sort of! Obviously migration is very taxing, but during the Fall migration when there is no rush to get to breeding grounds, birds will take time off from migration to hang out near good food sources. Such was the case over the past few days. Friday evening I noticed a particular mountain ash tree was being raided by Cedar Waxwings. Early yesterday morning I returned to the same tree with my camera. Even though there are lots of other mountain ash trees in the vicinity which are loaded with berries, this tree was apparently “the” tree.

All kinds of species of birds were eating berries out of this one tree. Closer inspection yieleded me some clues. This tree had lots of nearby cover, and great wildflowers within a few yards now going to seed (think food). In addition, this spot was only 500 yards inland from Lake Superior. Thus, birds following the shore of the big lake (their migration highway) were able to find easy food.

Thus, this migration season think like a lazy bird. Find their logical highways (rivers and occasionally even highways that cut through the boreal forest) in conjunction with food, and you will normally find birds taking a rest stop. As long as the food lasts, and the weather does not change dramatically … such as a HUGE wind out of the north to ride south, the birds will stick around. We’re all lazy when presented with easy, yummy food.

Cedar Waxwings Feeding on Mountain Ash Berries (mainly juveniles)

Female American Goldfinch eating wild Sunflower Seeds

Swainson’s Thrush gets in on the Berry Action!

Blue Bonanza!

Year 7,

September is one of my favorite time to go birding. While I never know what birds I will see, I rarely am disappointed in terms of seeing great variety. Yesterday afternoon, I hiked over to find Hoot (unsuccessfully), but found well over 30 American Restarts flitting around the pine grove where my owns often hang out. In addition, there were good numbers of other migrating warblers. My key takeaway … get out there and enjoy the migration.

One of my rules during migration is generally not to look for specific kinds of birds, but to pick known good birding habitat and enjoy the hit parade. This morning in my own yard it was non stop Blue Jays. At times I could see well over 20 jays at once … my feeders were a big hit.

Two days ago I drove over to Sax-Zim Bog at sunrise. The numbers of American Kestrels was amazing, and I had an extremely rare sighting … a Red Headed Woodpecker. The other staff / naturalists for the Friends of Sax-Zim Bog only knew of one other Red Head ever being seen in the Bog area. We are north of their preferred habitat.

I don’t normally take videos of my own feeders, but this morning’s blue demanded an exception! (video link for email subscribers)