Tag Archives: MN North: NorthStar Lake Region

Sunset to Sunrise on NorthStar Lake

Late yesterday a severe thunder storm blew through NorthStar Lake. Our swimming raft took a journey down lake, but was rescued post storm. After the bad weather, the sky cleared and the wind calmed … and thus started 10 magical hours on NorthStar Lake.

All photographs except the Milky Way image were taken from my kayak. The sunrise photos were of birds found while kayaking along the shoreline.

08:30 pm: 45 Minutes prior to Sunset (Loon Family)
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09:40 pm: 25 Minutes after Sunset!
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02:00 am: Northern Night Light! (Milky Way over our Northwoods cabin)
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06:00 am: 45 minutes after Sunrise! (Pileated Woodpecker and Merlin)
Y3-M07-Sunrise-Pileated-Woodpecker-1 Y3-M07-Sunrise-Pileated-Woodpecker-2 Y3-M07-Sunrise-Merlin

Suomi Sunrise! (Common Loon Chicks)

I have a small cabin in the Suomi Hills region of northern Minnesota. One unusual fact about my lake, Northstar Lake, it is the first body of water that flows north to Hudsons Bay. The continental divide is just a few miles to our south. Yesterday morning I went out onto the lake at sunrise to visit with the Common Loon family. Over the past few weeks I have let this family grow accustomed to me and learn that I am not a threat. Thus, it was a treat to spend time with the young family at dawn. At times the loons with their chicks would swim over to within 15 yards of where I floated motionless in my boat. Here are some of my best photos. It was a magical early morning (5:30 am) with the Common Loons of NorthStar Lake. I don’t think they are common at all!

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Re-Engaging with Warmth … Birds “Loving” It!

Over the past few days, the winds out of the Northeast off Lake Superior have blown themselves out, and warm southern winds have taken over in the Northland. With this change of wind direction, along with a few showers, the first bug hatches have occurred and the local flora and fauna have begun to get ready to raise families.

Two days ago, I drove up to NorthStar Lake which is a bit shy of the Minnesota / Canadian border. We own a small cabin on Federal forest land which is our special place in the wilderness. In addition to chores such as setting up the water system (i.e. wading out into the lake … 40 degree water), I took my first kayak paddle and said hello to our local loon family. I look forward to seeing their chicks in late June and early July.

Yesterday, the south winds blew fiercely and for a short time in the afternoon our local temperature (95F) was warmer that Death Valley, California! Go figure!? With the warm weather and bug hatch the first warblers have returned to the woods, and the local Osprey and Great Blue Heron families are getting on with family planning!

Sunrise Rainbow … on the way to the cabin.
Rainbow-Sunrise-Twig - Copy

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My first Common Loon photo of the season
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Cabin Scenes … Good Books! / Dock in the Water / Back Yard
(in addition to some classics, books by my friend, Outdoor writer, Sam Cook)
Y3-M05-Northstar-Lake-Cabin-Books Y3-M05-Northstar-Lake-Cabin-Docks Y3-M05-Northstar-Lake-Cabin-Car

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Ospreys Making Love!
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Setting Up the Nest (Great Blue Heron)
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A Porcupine Watches all the Bird Families
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Brown Thrashers Sings out for Spring! (2 different birds)
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