Tag Archives: MN North: Stony Point

56,038 Blue Jays Can’t Be Wrong!

Year 8,

Last year on September 22nd I wrote a post titled, 48,056 Blue Jays Can’t Be Wrong! This was the official count from Hawk Ridge, which is near my house. In fact, it was a record year for jays. Well, 2021 has now outdone 2020. The count as of this morning, September 26th is 56,038. If you like the color blue, you should be happy. It is a Blue Jay Bonanza.

Even though my yard has Blue Jays present all the time, I went birding yesterday afternoon to find Blue Jays (I know, sounds stupid). Not too surprisingly I was successful. My two stops were Stoney Point (a location that sticks out into Lake Superior near Knife River, Minnesota … a good migration stop) and the new public feeders at my church, French River Lutheran Church.

These first three images are taken at a small patch of sunflowers I found near the intersection of Alseth and Stoney Point Drive.

A Close-Up

Student Body

A Red-Breasted Nuthatch insisted on having its photograph taken. The bird reminded me of question I was asked by a young child while I was doing a public bird book reading at the library … “Why do nuthatches walk upside down?” I did not know the answer, but you can “bet your sweet bippy” I learned that fact immediately. The answer is by walking upside down on the trunk of a tree, nuthatches gain a perspective of finding bugs not seen by other birds. Very intelligent!

North Shore Birding

Year 6,

Need  a quick birding fix and in the Duluth area? At this time of year I love driving the Two Harbors Expressway in search of hawks up to the Stoney Point area, and then take Alseth Road to the shore (birds pile up on Stoney point during migration). I drive home on Old Superior Street (starts at McQuade Road). Most folks don’t even realize that there is another road between Scenic 61 and the Expressway. Total miles driven round trip from Lester River are only 15, and during migration there can be all kinds of surprises.

While not a surprise, I enjoyed watching this Red-Tailed Hawk hunt near Stoney Point.

Red-Tailed Hawk Take-Off

When I got home, a visitor came to my yard in search of leftover birdseed on the ground. Wonder what the buck is saying to me? (photo take from my window seat in the living room)

Lady Slippers, Lupines & Wile E. Coyote

Year 6,

It is gorgeous here in northern Minnesota, and as noted previously, it is time to get out in the countryside and enjoy the wild flowers. The lupine are now blooming even on the shores of Lake Superior. This morning while doing some “Grampa scouting” I watched this Coyote looking for breakfast. Yesterday’s rain meant the forest and fields are sopping wet, which one can tell by looking at the wolf’s fur!

Wile E. Coyote at Stoney Point

Sunrise yesterday morning found me cycling the Suomi Hills. The Showy Ladyslippers are coming into their own. Taking a bike ride will insert you into this explosion of color! If you want to see thousands of Lady Slippers, follow these directions:

  • Drive Mn #38 north from Grand Rapids
  • Drive west on Itasca Cty #48 and park at Suomi Lutheran Church. By parking at the hill you avoid the hills I included in my bike ride!  🙂
  • Bike 10 miles round trip from the church to a wetlands and back. At five miles out you will get to the wetlands are on both sides of the highway. You will see thousands of ladyslippers during the two miles leading up to the wetlands. There are lots of other wildflowers. Roses and Daisies are at their peak.

Showy Ladyslippers

The View of Lupines from my own Dining Room (the Grandkids and Greg G. love the rocking horse!)

Grampa Scouting Definition: A gent of 63 years old whose two oldest grandchildren will be visiting next week. Both kids have expressed a desire to go birding with Grampa. I know a successful birding excursion is somewhat short on the birding side, and ends with doughnuts. I was at Stoney Point looking for a merlin’s nest.