Tag Archives: MN North: Greenwood Forest Fire Area

Coming Soon to a Forest Near You: The Golden Time

Year 11

I took this bog image two mornings ago, and the photograph is indicative of the “Golden Time” coming soon to the Boreal Forest. Tamarack Pines are one of the only pines trees which lose their needles every fall. In 7 to 10 days every Tamarack in the Boreal Forest will be bright gold. Venture out near sunrise or sunset, and Uff Dah … an explosion of gold!!!

On another front I was interviewed this morning on KSTP’s Minnesota Live program about birding the Northland. If you follow the link to their web site, you should be able to watch my segment for about two weeks. My wife took this picture of me during the broadcast. The interview is about five minutes in length.

It was a fun day! Now I’m up at my cabin 200 miles north of the Twin Cities with plans to bird the Pine Island State Forest near Big Falls for the next few days.

Summer Northern Lights

Year 11, ,

While it is true that the best Northern Lights displays may be seen in Alaska or Norway, their proximity to the Arctic Circle (above or below) means that in the summer months the Land of the Midnight Sun means Aurora watching is just not possible. Down here in northern Minnesota as the days stretch towards the end of summer, we actually have some darkness. After the moon set last night at 11 pm there was a fantastic Northern Lights display.

Earlier last night I had driven up from my home at the northern edge of Duluth to the Isabella area near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA), but I found the best show was when I returned home. Up by the BWCA there was too much water vapor in the air (it rained during my drive north). This image was taken at “The Deeps” … Duluth Lester / Amity Park (200 yards from the end of my driveway).

Sand River near the BWCA

Lake County 2 … Road Scene and Zenith

Please note … many Northern Lights photographs you will see from the Lower 48 will show more dramatic colors, including red tinges to the images. I like a photograph that more accurately reflects what I am able to while Aurora watching. Thus, in post image processing I lessen the color and saturation found in my Northern Lights photos. The camera can see more light, and more spectrums than the naked eye. The other images are not wrong, but I prefer to capture something much more in line with what I actually am able to view.

Pouring Rain Polka Party Birding!

Year 11,

When it was pouring rain at 6:30 am yesterday morning, what was the correct action for the morning? The obvious answer was to go birding! I decided I didn’t want to be house bound and therefore I drove well north of Two Harbors to cruise back roads. This was a great decision.

First, I was able to listen to the Fun Time Polka Party. Thus, as I drove north my car was filled with polka power music. This was a significant episode because the premier polka king of the Northland, Florian Chmielewski, whose granddaughter hosts this show had unfortunately died this past week. I can remember watching the Chmielewski Fun Time Hour with my parents years ago (news report of the passing of the former musician, state senator and dairy farmer … video link for email subscribers)

After enjoying music and interviews with an icon, I was surprised and dumbfounded when my birding was fantastic. It just shows, when migration is in full force it is ALWAYS a good decision to go birding!

Trumper Swans on Langley River

The Video! (video link for email subscribers)

Broad-Winged Hawk and its Prey … a Ruffed Grouse

The Video! (video link for email subscribers)

Ring-Billed Ducks on Stoney River Forest Road

The Video! (video link for email subscribers)

And from a few days earlier … some Ruffed Grouse seen in the same area. During yesterday’s time with the victorious Broad-Winged Hawk, even though it was raining a grouse was drumming near by. I almost wonder if the hawk was hiding and waiting to see if someone would be attracted by the drumming. During courtship most birds are not very careful. Love is dangerous!