The sun had only been peeking over the tree tops at sunrise yesterday morning for less than ten minutes when this Osprey chick / juvenile first exercised its wings and then … woe nelly … took some first hoppy fights. Flying is scary! See the video where is the Osprey becomes briefly airborne, and it does NOT appear pleased! In the final image, the youngster’s sibling is looking on and seems to be thinking … do I have to do that?!

Osprey First Flight Ever

Osprey First Flight Video (video link for email subscribers)

Not just the raccoon family, bird families are appearing all over the Northland. Keep your eyes open as you takes drives or hikes in the Northland for parent birds bringing a meal back to their chicks / cygnets / juveniles.

Trumpeter Swans and Cygnets (pond across from A+ Garden Center)

Ugly Ducklings are named Cygnets!

And the video (link for blog email subscribers)

Osprey Chicks (Twig, Mn.)

Yesterday I went out birding after church … ignoring the heavy fog warnings. I wanted to pull three birdsong listening stations off the trails before the rains started once more. As with the day before, find a bit of open water and one fill find some waterfowl.

Canosia Wildlife Preserve … Small Lake
Hooded Mergansers

Soon the trails in the Duluth area will be snow and ice free, but such was not the case yesterday as I dealt with 1/2 foot of sloppy snow / slush.