Tag Archives: MN North: NorthStar Lake Region

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.
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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!
Y3-M05-Canosia-Wildlife-Preserve-Osprey-Mating-1 Y3-M05-Canosia-Wildlife-Preserve-Osprey-Mating-2 Y3-M05-Canosia-Wildlife-Preserve-Osprey-Mating-3 Y3-M05-Canosia-Wildlife-Preserve-Osprey-Mating-4

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Setting Up the Nest (Great Blue Heron)
Y3-M05-Canosia-Wildlife-Preserve-Great-Blue-Heron-Nest-Building-1 Y3-M05-Canosia-Wildlife-Preserve-Great-Blue-Heron-Nest-Building-2b


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A Porcupine Watches all the Bird Families
Y3-M05-Canosia-Wildlife-Preserve-Porcupine-2 Y3-M05-Canosia-Wildlife-Preserve-Porcupine-4

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Brown Thrashers Sings out for Spring! (2 different birds)
Y3-M05-Western-Waterfront-Brown-Thrasher-1 Y3-M05-Western-Waterfront-Brown-Thrasher-2

Chasing the Aurora!

NorthStar Lake Green Glow!

Two nights ago I decided to chase the Aurora! Given the Duluth area was socked in with clouds, and the weather forecast seemed to indicate it would remain in that state all night long, at 8:15 pm I drove northwest. After a few stops at vistas which were also socked in with clouds, I arrived at my small northwoods cabin around 11:00 pm. Shortly before midnight, I took this “selfie”.

The cabin was 32F when I arrived, and by starting up a roaring fire I managed to bump the temperature up to the mid 40’s. I spent the night stretched out on the couch in front of the fireplace with an alarm set to insure I checked the Aurora conditions every 45 minutes. I feel lucky to live in northern Minnesota!

My Selfie! (standing on the ice … moon shadows)
Northstar-Lake-Green-Glow

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The Cabin in Warmer Weather!
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Suomi Hills Serenity

Two nights ago we had a killing frost. With temperatures plunging into the mid 20’s in extreme northern Minnesota, I knew it was time to shut down the water at my small northwoods cabin. As I drove the backroads through the forest approaching NorthStar Lake, the lakes were steaming in an attempt conquer the early morning sun. It was a magical, mystical time to be in the wilderness.

Trumpeter Swans in the cold pond steam
Y2-M09-Trumpeter-Swans-Morning-Mist-1 Y2-M09-Trumpeter-Swans-Morning-Mist-2 Y2-M09-Trumpeter-Swans-Morning-Mist-3

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A beaver swims across a northwoods pond
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Our cabin … as it will look by Christmas
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