Today is August 12th, and it may seem strange to be talking about summer’s end, but “meteorological summer” ends with August, not September 21st. Here in northeastern Minnesota over the next few days temperatures will drop into the mid 40’s at night, and ground fog / lake steam will be common at sunrise. While there are still hot days ahead, the “times are a changing”. Many birds have already started their southward migration. Warblers are the latest bird specie to start exiting the northern forests (monitor this Fall’s migration via BirdCast).

Today is one week since my two surgeries which means I am now allowed to take some longer excursions. At sunrise I visited MK3 Hardwood Farms. This family farm plants a field of sunflowers and includes a walking path through the blossoms. Sunflowers are at their peak right now, and one would be hard pressed to find a better morning walk. (MK3 Hardwood Farms: corners of Cty 18 and Matten Road near Wrenshall). If you are not able to visit at sunrise, arrive 90 minutes before sunset. The colors early in the morning and late in the day are amazing, and it’s cooler! Although there is no “admission charge”, make sure you leave a donation in the wooden box at the entrance to the walking path.

Here are some photographs from my visit early this morning

Someone always has to be different!

With the end of summer approaching, birds start to feed in ways you may not anticipate, but they are just taking advantage of great food sources. Many of you may think Cedar Waxwings are berry eating birds. Actually this Cedar Waxwing was ignoring the berries and acting like a fly catcher. They will eat berries once bugs disappear.

In fact, hundreds of waxwings were diving out over the pond to catch bugs … very common for August. The final image is a juvenile. Note how its colors are not as bright, and the streaking. Camouflage for when it was in the nest. There are a lot of predators around.