Tag Archives: MN North: Lester River

Lighthouse Bound!

Year 5, ,

In the very near future, Molly and I will start our fifth season as lighthouse keepers at Crisp Point on the eastern end of Lake Superior. This job does not provide a cushy residence for the keepers; instead we will be camped 20 yards from Lake Superior and 38 miles from the nearest town (the final 19 miles by dirt logging road). In shore, we consider this location Heaven on earth. When the last guest leaves in the late afternoon, we have the big lake to ourselves with the nearest human being well over ten miles distant. As we will be off the grid, do not expect posts.

Given the recent days have been involved with both visiting relatives and getting ready for Crisp Point, my birding has been local. However, it is good to focus upon the old faithfuls! These birds provide me enjoyment. Maybe even one of these days I will find my Great Horned Owls which hoot back and forth in the middle of most nights near my house.

An “uncommon” Common Crow

A Juvenile Cedar Waxwing

A Juvenile Green Heron catches a minnow

Superior Sunrise Biking and Birding

Year 5, ,

A sunrise on Lake Superior is fantastic. A better sunrise on Lake Superior is one experienced on a bicycle while birding. This morning I left my home at 6:30 intent on getting some exercise while at the same time keeping an eye out for wildlife.

My path was to bike up Scenic 61. On an early Saturday morning the highway is essentially a big bike path. A car might come by every ten minutes. Thus, wildlife viewing opportunities can be numerous. In addition to a large number of deer, I spied this red fox hanging out in some purple lupine, and then down on the rocks.

When I returned to the mouth of the Lester River, I hiked down into the ravine and found this Common Merganser family busily at work finding breakfast.

It was a great morning to bike and bird!

A 360 Degree Sunrise!

Year 4

While the wife is away (college reunion), the husband did play (in the storm!) My video of Friday’s fury has been watched over 125,000 times (and still Increasing)!

In case you missed my coverage, the video which has gone viral is the last “storm video” on my  Snow Storm Birding Blog Post (bottom of linked page).

Here is this morning’s 360 degree sunrise. The first view is taken looking out over Lake Superior (much calmer this Sunday morning). Twelve minutes later, I turned around and captured the reflected dawn light in the UMD Limnology Lab windows.

If you’re interested, here are the stats about my video posted early this Sunday morning by Destination Duluth.