Monthly Archives: May 2016

Mother’s Day Aurora Borealis / Northern Lights Display!

Year 3,

The sky danced in honor of Mother’s Day early this morning. Just shows you Moms are truly special!

Shortly after midnight I hiked down into the Knife River Ravine. This trail is about 15 miles north of Duluth, and then inland from Lake Superior. I was standing in the river around 12:30 am when I took this photo, and thankfully had thought ahead and brought tall waterproof muck boots. This was just “after” the sky had really started to explode! The lights were shimmering and dancing all the way up to the Zenith. The second image was taken a few moments earlier than the first photograph when the color was “greener”.

Camera settings: 1,600 ISO, 4.0 second exposure, 2.0 aperture using a Rokinon wide angle lens on a Sony NEX-5T mirrorless camera.

Mother’s Day 2016 Aurora Borealis Display … Knife River, Northern Minnesota
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Re-Engaging with Warmth … Birds “Loving” It!

Year 3, ,

Over the past few days, the winds out of the Northeast off Lake Superior have blown themselves out, and warm southern winds have taken over in the Northland. With this change of wind direction, along with a few showers, the first bug hatches have occurred and the local flora and fauna have begun to get ready to raise families.

Two days ago, I drove up to NorthStar Lake which is a bit shy of the Minnesota / Canadian border. We own a small cabin on Federal forest land which is our special place in the wilderness. In addition to chores such as setting up the water system (i.e. wading out into the lake … 40 degree water), I took my first kayak paddle and said hello to our local loon family. I look forward to seeing their chicks in late June and early July.

Yesterday, the south winds blew fiercely and for a short time in the afternoon our local temperature (95F) was warmer that Death Valley, California! Go figure!? With the warm weather and bug hatch the first warblers have returned to the woods, and the local Osprey and Great Blue Heron families are getting on with family planning!

Sunrise Rainbow … on the way to the cabin.
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My first Common Loon photo of the season
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Cabin Scenes … Good Books! / Dock in the Water / Back Yard
(in addition to some classics, books by my friend, Outdoor writer, Sam Cook)
Y3-M05-Northstar-Lake-Cabin-Books Y3-M05-Northstar-Lake-Cabin-Docks Y3-M05-Northstar-Lake-Cabin-Car

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Ospreys Making Love!
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Setting Up the Nest (Great Blue Heron)
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A Porcupine Watches all the Bird Families
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Brown Thrashers Sings out for Spring! (2 different birds)
Y3-M05-Western-Waterfront-Brown-Thrasher-1 Y3-M05-Western-Waterfront-Brown-Thrasher-2

RIP: My Sirrus Comp Touring Bike

Year 3
RIP … my Sirus Comp Touring Bike… 17,073 miles toured in North America. Crumpled frame. Photo taken “Somewhere” in the “Middle of NoWhere” Montana!
 
New Specialized Sirus Comp arrives on Friday! Leave for Scotland shortly thereafter. Follow my bike diary on Crazy Guy on a Bike Portal.
My friend for seeing North America! 17,073 miles ridden on this bike.
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