Category Archives: Year 10

Killing Time During the Rains

Year 10

While apparently most of the USA is suffering a HUGE heatwave, the exact opposite is true here near the Minnesota border with Canada. I am at my Northstar Lake cabin, and the temperature has difficulty exceeding 60F, and when the intermittent showers come, it gets even cooler … like right now.

This morning I spent four hours in one of my favorite birding areas, Pine Island State Forest including Toomey Williams Road. More beautiful bog habitat one will never see. Sax-Zim Bog pales by comparison. Although I saw lots of birds this morning, very few were willing to pose for my camera with the exception of this Red-Tailed Hawk.

I keep hoping to get out on Northstar Lake and spend time with various Common Loon families, but did I mention the showers?? Here is one pic from two afternoons ago.

The clouds are supposed to clear somewhat (50% overnight). As Ovation Aurora is already quite high, hopefully this forecast will ring true and I will spend some time Northern Lights watching tonight.

South Bog Fox Den Kits

Year 10

I had a wild turkey of a time over at the fox den this morning!

Getting at 5 am for me now that the sun does not rise till 5:30 am gets me out in the woods when everyone else wants breakfast … including me but I skipped mine to not delay arriving just as the sun starts to kiss over the tops of the trees (about 6:15 am). While my “barn owl” was not in its favorite spot, other wildlife performed!

The first order of the day is a snooze in the early morning sun …

The next order on the agenda is to relax with your sibling … even helping with grooming

Finally, it was time for individual portraits. I am pretty certain there are only two kits.

I’ve really been hoping to see a meal delivered by one of the red fox parents, but so far no luck on that effort. Given how big the fox kits are, they will have to start hunting lessons very soon. Thus, I assume my time with the fox family will be limited.

Birds in the Dark

Year 10

I needed a sleepless night to understand the need for “Dark Mode” on my website which runs under its own custom installation of WordPress. Folks visiting my blog and website should now automatically get dark mode if their browser and/or device has night time display settings enabled. Sorry this feature took me so long to implement.

This year there have been over 50k visitors here as of July 1st. The birds, the Aurora Borealis and I thank you. Thus my site will continue its no advertising / no commercialism approach.