Dawn this morning saw me out for a kayak paddle on Northstar Lake. This lake is the first lake north of the Continental Divide. My cabin is in the Suomi Hills region of northern Minnesota, and the waters in my lake via the outlet are the first to flow north to Hudson’s Bay. All the lakes to our south, even just a few miles away flow south to the Gulf of Mexico.

I found this Common Loon wolfpack fishing together. Given the loon’s location on the lake, they were obviously fishing deep (100 feet deep where the birds were located). I suspect the loons were after ciscos. In some lakes Common Loons battle, even to the death, over fishing territory. Apparently there are lots of fish in Northstar Lake (at least if you are a loon!).

Northstar Lake Common Loon Wolfpack (fifth bird not pictured)

Video (link for email subscribers)

After watching the wolfpack from a distance of about fifteen yards I went over to inspect a nearby beaver mound. It was quite peaceful. Near the beaver’s home I found a newly hatched loon with its parents. It was obvious my presence was not desired, thus I bid a hasty adieu without taking any photographs of the loon family.

Northstar Lake Beaver Mound (video link for email subscribers)

Finally, while doing some chores last night at sunset these thunderheads showed their beauty. As the storms were all to my east they were of no concern.

One hundred years ago most of northern Minnesota was clear cut by the logging industry. At the time, a logging railroad and bridge trestle bridge was constructed across Northstar Lake where I now own a cabin.  Fast forward 100 years, and the Boreal Forest has reclaimed the land and the trestle is slowly falling into the lake. Little did these lumbermen know they had constructed the perfect Eastern Kingbird nest! For the second year in a row, a pair of kingbirds have nested in the exact same trestle … at the exact same location. I visited the nest by kayak two mornings ago.

Eastern Kingbird Nest in Logging Railroad Bridge Trestle

You may enjoy learning a bit about the last logs drives.  I own a video that is almost identical to this film: From Stump to Ship (1930’s Log Drive). In my case the film is about the last log drive on the Little Fork River in northern Minnesota, not Maine. (video link for email subscribers)
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After my kayak paddle, I took a 16 mile bicycle ride on Mn Hwy #48. This remote road is an annual trek for me in late June. The wildflowers are stupendous as evidenced by this photograph … Showy Ladyslippers, Buttercups and Canada Anemone

While most of my ride is through a forested area, there are a few meadows where I found these Courting Bobolinks! Get out there and enjoy Summer’s color.

Sometimes you see strange things while bicycling. This morning I took a 20 mile ride not too far south of the Canadian border. Suddenly out of the corner of my eye I noticed vivacious color. A lifer! The extremely rare North American Green and Orange Dabbler. This duck was enjoying the early morning light in a remote swamp. It was obviously very tired after its long migration which had started down in Patagonia. I cautiously got off my bicycle and took this perfect photograph!

Last night Molly and I visited our Common Loon nest … still no chicks. It’s now time to get on the pontoon and take a Happy Hour Cruise … the Chardonnay is chilled. Life is good here in northern Minnesota, and birding does not get much better.