I first saw these two moose calves and their mom three months ago. It was obvious at the time that the calves had only been recently born. Now three months later the moose family has only moved about two miles, and the youngsters are getting big!
And now from yesterday evening … (video link for blog email subscribers)
The Greenwood Forest Fire burned a large area in northern Minnesota, including some of the Nature Conservancy’s Sand Lake / 7 Beavers Wilderness Preserve. While the fires are tragic, they also help rejuvenate the forest. The forest fire was almost exactly five years ago (read story from MPR) However the land and wildlife recovers. Two of the last three mornings I have been privileged to hang out with hundreds and hundreds of Red Crossbills. This rarely seen Boreal Forest bird was gorging themselves on the seeds of burned out pines. Pine Siskins were getting sloppy seconds (they are not able to break the cones open like the crossbills).
Please understand that Red Crossbills are extra special for me. As a youngster growing up in Duluth Red Crossbills would visit our bird feeders in droves each winter. Now 60 years later I don’t often get to see these birds.
I hope you enjoy my time with the Red Crossbills! (plus Pine Siskins). Observe their unique hooked beak which allows them to break open pines cones. The location was the Sand River wayside (a small gravel pullout) on Lake County #2 / Forest Road #15.
Gritting Up
Logging Truck!
Gritting Up Once More!
Crossbills the Movie (video link for email subscribers)
The past week has been unique in terms of game birds … this morning when the heavy fog lifted I found both northern Minnesota Boreal Forest grouse species. I think the grouse … Spruce and Ruffed, both wanted to dry off. Last week in Iceland’s tundra habitat I saw my first ever Rock Ptarmigans. Thanks to my “eagle eyed” reader, Annie, who noticed that in fact Ptarmigan chicks were in my “rock images”, I went back and reviewed my master images. Thus, today I bring you reworked Rock Ptarmigan photos … complete with chicks! The post also includes the southern cousins of the boreal forest. As a bonus I am including a Broad Winged Hawk which was trying to dry off, but also trying to hunt the young Ruffed Grouse chicks.
Rock Ptarmigan & Chicks
Just the parent now …
Spruce Grouse
Ruffed Grouse (2 different birds)
Broad-Winged Hawk
