Almost sounds like the title / movie … The Bridges of Madison County!
Apparently the loons of NorthStar don’t like the extra 4th of July traffic on the late. For three hours two loons his in the reeds near our dock, away from all the water skiers and fishermen. By kayaking down to a section of the lake w/o a single cabin, I still managed to get a few photos. I doubt the loons will like the fireworks going off tomorrow night .
Common Loons on NorthStar Lake
Our family is “up north” for the fourth of July week. For folks from parts south, hearing someone who already lives in northern Minnesota talking about going “up north” may seem strange. After all, don’t I already live farther north than 99% of the population in the USA?! Everything is relative, and the Hoeg’s are enjoying time on NorthStar Lake. From our lake, one can actually canoe “downstream” to Hudson’s Bay.
In addition to my bird photos, while out kayaking shortly after dawn the second day, I realized I was being watched! The otter family was out for a morning fish, and wondered who the strange beast was in the red kayak!
This post is just “part one” of our trip. Midweek we will take a jaunt up into Canada and spend time on Rainy Lake before returning to Northstar.
Day #158: Common Loon
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Day #1589 Common Loon
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Day #159: The Otter family checks me out!
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Day #160: Eastern Kingbird nesting in our cabin’s eaves
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Day #161: Sunrise over NorthStar Lake
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Day #161: Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker
Memorial Day Weekend is normally considered the traditional start of Summer in the northwoods. This year, life is a bit unusual as although temperatures reached the mid 80’s due to a southwest wind, ice still remains on Lake Superior (Weather Channel article)! My family owns a small cabin on Northstar Lake near the Canadian border. It has many great qualities, but a few things we love about are cabin are:
In Minnesota vernacular, even though we live in the far north relative to anyone else in the United States (Duluth, Minnesota), we still call heading to the cabin as going “Up North”. You may enjoy this free online magazine which has an “Up North” focus, and is even named, North.
However, given this blog is about birding and photography, here are this weekend’s photos. Hope you enjoy them as much as I had taking the pictures.
Saturday, May 24th: Day #122
Hartley Nature Center in Duluth – Chestnut-Sided Warbler
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Sunday, May 25th: Day # 123
NorthStar Lake: Common Loon
Big Fork River: Barn Swallow and Tree Swallow
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Monday, May 26th: Day # 124
NorthStar Lake: Eastern Kingbird & “Blue Hour” (30 minutes before dawn)
