Tag Archives: MN North: Canosia Wildlife Area

America the Beautiful Birding

Year 11,

I tend to “bird the sunrise”, which on June 14th is at 5 am in northern Minnesota. Because this means I am up BEFORE 5 am, by 9 pm I am often tired and in bed. However last night I went looking for owls at a new place after sunset (after 9 pm). While I did not find owls, this Osprey (photos best seen on a large screen) was gloriously setting off the sunset. Given I live at the bottom of the hill near Lake Superior, the geography of the hill means I see lots of sunrises, and very few sunsets. Boy, am I glad I went out last night. I found myself humming the melody of “America the Beautiful”!

Flaming Osprey Sunset (Canosia Wildlife Preserve)

Rescuing “Winston Churchill”, the juvenile River Otter, from the road. Look at the first picture! I hope you’ll understand my name for the otter. I did manage to convince “Winston” to leave the highway!

The explosion of color continued this morning when I still got up early, and was off to the Lakewood School and environs.

Morning Lupine

Northern Flicker

Green Heron

Canosia Wildlife Preserve Birding

Year 11

I don’t think I have given enough emphasis to birding the Canosia Wildlife Preserve just north of Duluth. There are many birding options available … hikes or drives. On the car front any of these roads are worth your time:

  • Lavaque Road (north of Martin Road)
  • West Lismore Road to Hiking Trailhead (private road beyond that point)
  • Ugstad Raod to the Hiking Trailhead

The trails leading from either of these two trailheads are easy, but very buggy. Use bug goop. Eventually via the trails you want to reach the wetlands (more bugs). Here is a map I created. Please note the Great Blue Heron Rookery. It may only be reached by hiking off trail. In May, June and early July you will hear the herons long before you see them. Given sun angles, an early morning visit is best whether you are just birding, and / or wanting to take some photographs. There is also an osprey nest in the wetlands next to Trailhead #1. On Lavaque Road you will drive by “Steam Shovel Sam & Sally) (osprey nest in the shovel’s bucket).

These images were taken early Sunday morning.

Canosia Wildlife Reserve Map

Osprey

Broad-Winged Hawk

Canosia Ospreys a Courting

Year 11

Eight days ago I noticed that male ospreys had arrived back in the Northland, and specifically the Canosia Wildlife Reserve. The reserve has three osprey nests. I assume these raptors find the fishing in the nearby lakes and ponds stellar. As of this morning, two nest have males “hanging” out, waiting and hoping for females to return north. The nest off Lismore Road must be prime habitat as the male at that nest had already been selected as a mate by a returning female.

Sunday morning I enjoyed watching the ospreys cement their relationship! This nest even has a nearby Great Blue Heron Rookery, and the ospreys did not take kindly when two herons made a pass at their nest. The “fish eagles” attacked instantly! (see the video)

I’m not certain these images and videos were Sunday morning certified, but I had fun watching the pair ospreys before church!

Ospreys Mating

Again?! Yup says the Male!

The Happy Couple! Was it as Good for You?!

Bringing Sticks Post Coupling. I guess the male wants to let his sweetheart understand the depth of his love!

Stick Delivery #1

Stick Delivery #2 (a double! … a stick in each talon)

Stick Delivery #3

Stick Delivery #4

Stick Deliver #5

Ospreys Mating & Nest Building … the Movie! (video link for email subscribers)