Tag Archives: WI North: NW Wisconsin

Northern Magic: Aurora Borealis & Apostle Islands Ice Caves

The 40th day of year 2 demonstrates the magical beauty of the Northland. Shortly after 4 am, 40 miles north of Duluth, Minnesota I watched the Northern Lights dance across the early morning sky. While I was watching the Aurora, an owl kept me company hooting from about one hundred yards away!

If the day had just ended at this point, I would have been happy. However, along with a few friends we drove over to northwestern Wisconsin and visited the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Ice Caves. We hit the jackpot … a gorgeous blue ski day with mild winds and temperatures which soared into the mid 20’s. Winter is truly special!

Northern Lights Over Little Stone Lake (Minnesota)
Y2-D040-Northern-Lights-Little-Stone-Lake-1

Y2-D040-Northern-Lights-Little-Stone-Lake-2

———-

Apostle Islands Ice Caves
Y2-D040-Apostle-Islands-Ice-Caves-5

Y2-D040-Apostle-Islands-Ice-Caves-4

Y2-D040-Apostle-Islands-Ice-Caves-3

Y2-D040-Apostle-Islands-Ice-Caves-2

Y2-D040-Apostle-Islands-Ice-Caves-1

Most folks walk over the frozen Lake Superior ice … some come by plane! Regardless, it is a treat to see the ice caves … an experience which only occurs every few years when a cold winter and winds over Lake Superior combine to make the ice safe to walk out to the caves.
Y2-D040-Apostle-Islands-Ice-Caves-International-Airport-1

Y2-D040-Apostle-Islands-Ice-Caves-International-Airport-2

Day 314: First Snowy of this Winter!

Just before sunset I drove 13 miles and hung out for over an hour at a location where I had been told a Snowy Owl had appeared the past two nights. Just eight minutes before sunset, and loss of effective light for photography I struck paydirt! Unfortunately I was changing my camera settings when it flew off and thus missed the “flight shot”. My second snowy photo is really beyond the effective range of my camera, but still fun! Actually the day was shoehorned nicely as I photographed a bald eagle a bit after sunrise having a bad hair day. Twas quite windy.

First Snowy Owl of the Winter
314-Birds-365-Snowy-Owl-1 314-Birds-365-Snowy-Owl-2

———-

Bad Hair Day Bald Eagle
314-Birds-365-Bad-Hair-Day-Bald-Eagle