Tag Archives: MN North: NorthStar Lake Region

A Burst of Color! Wildflower Explosion

Year 12,

Enjoy a natural 4th of July explosion of color. The wildflowers are beautiful right now, and tend to be running late this year. Get into the countryside by 7 to 8 am while the light is not yet harsh. I left this morning at 6 am. Lupines are still very much blooming and daisies are only just coming into full blossom. A few Black-Eyed Susans are starting to flower, but the big displays of their color will be towards the end of July.

Remember, if you want to see a particular flower that normally might be past its best phase of blossom, just drive closer to Lake Superior. Every spring it is like a time machine in terms of plants. Lilacs are still in bloom next to the lake. Down south in Minnesota Lilacs blossomed back in mid May. One of my favorite wildflower drives is Lake County 2 leading from Two Harbors to Greenwood Lake.

Purple Power! (video link for email subscribers)

And a few still images taken with my phone. Notice the Hawk Weed vs. The Indian Paintbrush. Most people confuse Hawk Weed for Indian Paintbrush, which is a much more rare wildflower.

Showy Lady Slipper (Minnesota’s state flower)

Hawk Weed

Indian Paintbrush

Common Loon Wolfpack!

Year 12

My lake in northern Minnesota is quite deep, and the common loons often meet near the deeper spots and hunt together to try and catch ciscoes (whitefish). Such was the case this morning … final day of June. The loon wolfpack let me float to within ten yards … ignoring me as they would work together to obtain their breakfast (video link for email subscribers)

And some still images …

Northstar Lake: Nest Selection Survey in Progress

Year 12

It most likely hard for all “you southern folk” to understand but up here in Minnesota’s Canadian Border Region nesting site surveys are under progress, and in many cases the ladies have not yet even arrived on the scene! Northstar Lake is deep and cold. Our water flows north to Hudson’s Bay. The reeds and rushes have not yet broken the water’s surface and many waterfowl including loons will not nest till emergent plants provided both nesting opportunities and camouflage for those same nests.

This morning I went birding by water, car, and foot. Shortly after sunrise I visited a pair of Common Loons which will nest within 150 yards of my cabin. Poppa Loon swam within 3 feet of my pontoon boat, but he hates my red kayak. I always figured the smaller boat would be better for birding, but the birds have taught me otherwise. I slowly approach birds; turn off the motor, and drift. Calm mornings are desired!

Northstar Lake Common Loon

Trumpeter Swans were out for a morning feed, and also have not yet nested.

These male Wood Ducks (and one Ring-Necked Duck) had finished breakfast and now were grooming themselves around 7:15 am.

And a video of these ducks! (video link for email subscribers)

You’ve heard of “swimming with the dolphins” in Florida. Up here in northern Minnesota our equivalent is “swimming with the loons”. Every summer for the past 35 years, our loon family moves in next to us! (see post … Swimming with the Loons)