It is 6 am as I write this blog post, and I have actually been up since 4:45 am. However, now that the sun rises much later, it is much to early to visit “Moose Land“. I had hoped to also visit Moose Land late yesterday afternoon and evening, but Mother Nature had other ideas. While the weather forecast was for clear skies with a zero percent chance of rain, I just barely completed a bicycle ride at my cabin before thunder storms rolled in and I lost power for 5+ hours. Given the heavy clouds, it was almost pitch dark in my cabin by 7:15. Thus, with no power and a trip to Moose Land being a stupid, rather wet idea, I was in bed by 8:15 pm. Thus, I arose this morning by 4:30 am. The skies had cleared and I visit Moose Land with an estimated time of departure of 6:30 am!

Over the past week I have often found myself birding at one of my favorite fall migration spots … the Castle Danger Sewage Treatment Ponds followed by a drive on the Two Harbors Highlands backroads. West Castle Danger Road is only 35 minutes from my house near the mouth of the Lester River. The drive up the shore is always beautiful during the pre-dawn light, and the birding normally does not disappoint.

Here is my route (also see map):

1. Drive Mn 61 to West Castle Danger Road
2. Turn uphill onto West Castle Danger Road
3. Drive to Bunker Hill Road and turn onto same. The wastewater treatment ponds at the end of Bunker Hill Road are part of a much larger open area. Assuming you do not walk through the closed gate to the ponds themselves, the supervisor of the ponds has always welcomed birding visits. The pine trees near the gate to the ponds often get lots of birds. You may walk a footpath just outside the fenced in area to get a better view of the birds using the ponds.
4. Drive back down Bunker Hill Road and turn right to continue along West Castle Danger Road
5. Upon reaching Lake Cty #3, turn left and travel a short distance towards the big lake, turning right onto Clark Road / Lake Cty #34
6. Stay on Lake Cty #34 till you reach Lake Cty #24 / East Alger Grade. Turn left onto Lake Cty #24
7. Follow Lake Cty #24 back down to Two Harbors. I often check out the Lake County Fairgrounds, and the dirt road next to Lake Superior at Agate Beach.

Here are a few photographs I took over the past few days on this route … a Palm Warbler, a Broad-Winged Hawk and an American Kestrel.

Somehow I don’t believe I have ever blogged about birding the “North Shore Community School“, or “North Shore Elementary” (Google Maps Link). This charter school which is about midways between Duluth and Two Harbors, but inland from the lake, has a mission statement which reads: “NSCS’S mission is to excel in connecting our students’ academics and learning with their natural and social environments in a nurturing community setting.”

Given the schools location with open fields nestled amongst the Boreal Forest, and their focus at having superb wildflower gardens and other natural resources, at any time of the year the school attracts birds. Right now if you walk slowly around the school, viewing all the beautiful wildflower gardens in full bloom, you will find large numbers of birds trying to feed their fledglings. I had a great time yesterday afternoon birding at the school after completing a bike ride  which I had started and finished from their parking lot. If you bird the school, don’t just focus your attention on the gardens. Birds will be using fences, playground equipment, soccer nets, etc as bug ambush sites.

Bluebirds Fledglings … Soon to be Blue!

Dad

Female Baltimore Oriole

Eastern Kingbird

Before there were roads on the North Shore, and after the winter shipping season on Lake Superior ended each year due to ice, there was John Beargrease!

“For almost twenty years, between 1879 and 1899, John Beargrease and his brothers delivered the mail between Two Harbors and Grand Marais by sled dog team. With the limited equipment available and loads weighing as much as 700 lbs. The trip was made once a week…an incredible feat for one man to accomplish especially when you consider the constant range of altitude along the shore.” (read more via JohnBeargrease.Com)

Now each winter the sled dog race marathon honors this Anishinabe Native American. This afternoon the race started in rural Duluth. In a few days the marathon will end after 400 miles … up the shore of Lake Superior on the Grand Portage Indian Reservation (this tribe is the major sponsor of the race). The mushers are both male and female, and there is only “one race” (not one for men, and one for women).

Molly and I watched the mushers and their teams for two hours late this morning. Although the trail itself is packed, once you step even inches to the side one is in thigh deep snow! A great time! All of these photos were captured using a wide angle, non telephoto lens. I am standing within a foot of the trail.

Two Different Sled Dog Teams (maximize these photos to get the full effect)

Jennifer Freking: #9

Alice White: #2

A Short Video (50 seconds … slomo of final team)(link for email subscribers)