Tag Archives: MN North: Duluth Harbor

Waterfront Happenings!

August 25, 2016Year 3MN North: Amity, MN North: Duluth Harborrichardhoeg@gmail.com

Was fun getting back to Duluth, and finally having some time to get out with my camera. Before heading down to Canal Park yesterday evening, I even had a few moments to hang out in the garden with my favorite ruby-throated hummingbirds. The individual pictured was very aggressive, often driving off up to two other hummingbirds from the garden at once!

My reason for the trip down to the waterfront at sunset was to watch our last tall ship leave Duluth. The El Galeon Andalucia’s (Spanish Galleon) was in her majesty as she sailed out onto Lake Superior.

This morning the fantastic weather necessitate another trip down to the waterfront, and at the abandoned pier near Grassy Point I found snadpipers taking a rest from their long migration and filling up the tank.

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird Feeding on Bee Balm

The El Galeon Andalucia Leaving Duluth

Morning “Piper”

Mud Flat Candy

August 19, 2016Year 2MN North: Duluth Harborrichardhoeg@gmail.com

Find mud flats with deeper water near by that recharges the flats and you have found bird candy! This morning I hiked into some of my favorite mud flats adjacent to the Duluth harbor. The mud flats did not disappoint. In addition to taking the photo shown below of a Great Egret (rare for Northeastern Minnesota), the shorebirds migrating through from the Arctic were happily feeding. Just a few yards from the shore thistle and other goodies were keeping the finches happy.

Actually, I would not have even found the shorebirds initially if a Marsh Hawk had not flushed them while hunting. The hawk also found the mud flats provided candy!

Ten yards from the mud flats, thistle was perfect candy for this Goldfinch!

A White Egret preferred minnows!

Shorebirds also found breakfast.

Sunrise Shorebirds! (semi-palmated plover)

August 14, 2016Year 3MN North: Duluth Harborrichardhoeg@gmail.com

No fog this morning! Yea! Instead this morning dawned crystal clear and 54F, which meant it was a great morning to hike in to the Erie Pier on the Duluth Waterfront. Yesterday evening I had hiked in (about one mile) just before sunset and the number of shorebirds were phenomenal … thus the repeat visit at sunrise! The mud flats and ponds did not disappoint!

A bit of bushwhacking was required to reach my desired birding location. I took a photograph of the view at my eye level while I was working my way into position. My height is 6 feet 2 inches, and as you are able to see, the grasses at this point in the summer are even over my head!

An Eye-Level View While Bushwhacking!