Tag Archives: MN North: North Shore of Lake Superior

Arctic Arrivals

Year 7

Each day I feel a tiny bit better, and my family insures they take me out for some “birding by car” with very short hikes. As I noted yesterday, I have been looking for my first Pine Grosbeak of the season, which means checking out pygmy crabapple trees. I struck paydirt this morning and watched one lone female. Not a single pine grosbeak was seen in Minnesota last winter. There was plenty of food north of the border, and they never came south.

Shortly thereafter I had fun watching a few flocks of Snow Buntings followed by an amazing hunting session with my favorite hawk, a Rough Legged Hawk. These hawks are only one of two raptors (other than owls) that have feathers all the way down to their talons. Thus,  Rough Legged Hawks are adapted for their breeding seasons up by the Arctic Ocean. This bird let me get amazingly close. Normally Roughies spook very easily.

It was a great morning. One of my snow buntings (video link for email subscribers)

Dreary Day Photography: Find Waldo?!

Year 7, ,

The last two days have been dreary. Light fog has been ever present with a breeze out of the Northeast off Lake Superior (i.e. cold). Temperatures struggle to get much above 50, and during my daily bike ride next to lake … even colder. This begs the question, what is a wildlife / bird photographer supposed to do? The answer is … find color! When the skies are not blue, and the light is dim the world still abounds with color.

From yesterday afternoon’s bike ride … Find Waldo!

In case, you needed help!

An Indigo Bunting atop Hawk Ridge this morning with Spring green in the background.

And of course, the daily owl report. My Great Horned Owlets are getting big, but they are still sloppy. This morning they threw down a half eaten rabbit to me. I passed given I had already had my breakfast.

Good Reading | Great Photographs!

Background, Year 6

Today the latest issues of two magazines hit the streets today, and yours truly is featured in a big way! The two magazines are: (great holiday reading and ideas found within)

First, for Lake Country Journal, I took all the photographs for an article Molly wrote about the Arrowhead 135 … the craziest ultra-marathon that is really all about winter survival! 135 as in miles … during last year’s race which we covered temperatures dropped to -25F. Many competitors compete unsupported … no help allowed, carry all your own supplies, can not even go in a building to use a bathroom.

Second, for Lake Country Journal, I wrote an article and took all the photographs which explains how to find Snowy Owls this winter in the Duluth / Superior region.

Like owls? Remember to download a free PDF copy of my new children’s picture book, Snowy’s Search for Color.

Finally, for Lake Superior Magazine, I took photographs for an article Molly wrote about the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train. Photos taken last Christmas season along the North Shore of Lake Superior in Ontario. This train visits a nice chunk of the USA including the Minneapolis, Milwaukee and Chicago areas. Great family fun … free concert at the railroad siding … national acts! (see Molly’s blog … my wife)