Tag Archives: MN North: Lester River

10 Common Merganser Ducklings! (video)

Year 13,

One way I use my own blog / website is I look back over past time periods to remind myself what might be happening in the Northland birding world at a given time of year. Thus, yesterday evening I used the “Archives / Timeline” feature of this website and reviewed “Junes” from past years. With that knowledge in tow I was reminded that it was time to check out the Lester River Ravine for Common Merganser ducklings, and this morning I was NOT disappointed!

Given the waves out on the big lake, and the fact the Common Merganser chicks were only a few days old, Momma Merganser was very unlikely to take her brood out of Gitchi Goomi. Thus, I spent over an hour with the merganser family this morning in the small confines of the river. The ducks spent their time between the mouth of the river and the first small rapids. I only left when it was nap time (for the birds, not me).

Lester River Common Merganser Family (10 ducklings)

Make certain you see the video at the end of the post!

Mergansers … the Movie! (watch one youngster climb up onto Mom’s back, and then get pushed off by Mom’s wing. No freeloaders!)

(video link for blog email subscribers)

Common Merganser Morning! Ducklings Learning to Fish!

Year 12,

Two mornings ago I walked the stairs down to the Lester River at 61st Avenue East. This dead end road rives access to both the Lakewalk, the tunnel to Brighton Beach, and the ability to observe the Lester River from both the ravine’s edge, but also from the shore deep within the ravine. The trees provide the ability to hide from animals and birds, and I took full advantage of that fact and watched Mom Merganser shepherding her brood through their first fishing lessons. I personally think there is nothing “common” about these ducks! Enjoy.

Common Merganser Family on the Lester River (video link for email subscribers)

Distracted Before Sunrise!

Year 11,

This morning I got distracted on the way to a pre-sunrise appointment. As I approached my car, I noted Les, Poppa Great Horned Owl, was still hooting … albeit slowly and softly. I thought, I wonder if Les would answer me??? I stood in my dark driveway 45 minutes before sunrise and started hooting. Apparently my hoots weren’t too horrible. Les answered me and started calling out much louder and more frequently!

Realizing I really needed to get going, I jumped in the car and started the drive to my appointment, but I did not get far. Once again I became distracted. The pre-dawn light  over Lake Superior was wunderbar … with the Lester River Bridge and its antique lights in the foreground. I pulled over and a photo session ensured. Thankfully the great folks at Essentia’s Cardiac Rehab know me well, and understand both owls and sunrises occasionally make it difficult for me to arrive on time. Today was one of those mornings. Do you hoot in the dark? I do!!

Lester River Bridge Lake Superior Pre-Dawn Light

Amy … the object of Poppa Owl’s (Les) affections and hoots. Image taken this afternoon.