Tag Archives: MN North: Canosia Wildlife Area

Sunrise Entry (and an Osprey!)

June 19, 2018Year 5MN North: Canal Park, MN North: Canosia Wildlife Arearichardhoeg@gmail.com

Last night I noticed the Fuldaborg, a Saltie out of the Netherlands would be arriving off the Duluth harbor around 5 am to pick up a cargo of grain. Knowing this was 15 minutes before sunrise, I thought the colors would be perfect … a sunrise entry at Canal Park on Lake Superior. Old Gitche Gumee did not fail me! For you Duluthians, listen closely between 5 and 35 seconds of the video. You will be able to hear the bells in the old Central School Clock Tower striking 5:00 a.m.!

In order to be in position out on the pier in time for the Fuldaborg’s arrival, I had to leave home at 4:15 am, getting up at 4:00 am. As long as I was already awake this early I visited some Ospreys I know in the area. One gave me a nice wing flapping performance. In short it was a great morning. When I returned home at 9:00 am, I had already been gone for five hours!

I can almost hear the Osprey saying … Did you see me nail that landing!

Bog Stompin to the Heron Rookery!

June 11, 2018Year 5MN North: Canosia Wildlife Arearichardhoeg@gmail.com

This morning, shortly after 6am, I found myself squishing, stompin, and kerplopping along a Northwoods trail. My goal was to visit a Great Blue Heron Rookery and see whether the chicks were ready to make an appearance. Upon my arrival I was pleased to see the hike through the mosquito infested forest had been worthwhile! The melodious sound of Great Blue Herons greeted me, and for the next two hours I watched these huge birds glide into and do a somewhat controlled crash landing at their own nest to deliver breakfast.

This first image shows where I hung out in the Bog. I never approached closer than this spot. With my super zoom camera and binoculars I could easily watch the proceedings. Thankfully my viewing location soon caught a morning breeze and the bugs became less of a nuisance. The rising sun also raised the temperature from 45F to 63F. Life was good!

Here are the photographs from my morning at the rookery. I will have to return in about one week when the chicks are bigger. I’ll lead off with a video from this morning!

Images

While I was watching the herons, this Osprey was watching me! Its nest was only 200 yards distant. In total I found two active Osprey nests and one Common Loon’s nest while travelling to the rookery this morning! As some haze moved in, I decided to call it quits and come back another day.

Re-Engaging with Warmth … Birds “Loving” It!

May 7, 2016Year 3MN North: Canosia Wildlife Area, MN North: NorthStar Lake Region, MN North: Western Waterfront Trailrichardhoeg@gmail.com

Over the past few days, the winds out of the Northeast off Lake Superior have blown themselves out, and warm southern winds have taken over in the Northland. With this change of wind direction, along with a few showers, the first bug hatches have occurred and the local flora and fauna have begun to get ready to raise families.

Two days ago, I drove up to NorthStar Lake which is a bit shy of the Minnesota / Canadian border. We own a small cabin on Federal forest land which is our special place in the wilderness. In addition to chores such as setting up the water system (i.e. wading out into the lake … 40 degree water), I took my first kayak paddle and said hello to our local loon family. I look forward to seeing their chicks in late June and early July.

Yesterday, the south winds blew fiercely and for a short time in the afternoon our local temperature (95F) was warmer that Death Valley, California! Go figure!? With the warm weather and bug hatch the first warblers have returned to the woods, and the local Osprey and Great Blue Heron families are getting on with family planning!

Sunrise Rainbow … on the way to the cabin.