Category Archives: Year 2

Cabin Birds: Memorial Day Weekend 2015

May 25, 2015Year 2MN North: NorthStar Lake Regionrichardhoeg@gmail.com

My wife and I own a remote cabin in northern Minnesota which is partially off the grid. Although we do have electricity, we do not have phone coverage (hard wire or reliable cell), TV or many of the “modern” amenities. However, we do not miss these “pleasures in life” one iota!

Early Friday morning I kayaked over to a grove of extremely tall white pine trees with a commanding view of the lake. I was thrilled to find our eagles were back nesting in these pines, which they have done almost non-stop for 25 years. On the way over, a pair of loons let my kayak drift up within just a few feet of them. This closeness allowed me to photograph one of the loons with droplets on its back and head from a recent dive.

We are lucky to live in northern Minnesota!

Bald Eagle Couple on NorthStar Lake

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Common Loon After the Dive!

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20 Minutes Before Dawn on NorthStar Lake

Just Another Morning on Minnesota Point!

May 22, 2015Year 2MN North: Duluth Harborrichardhoeg@gmail.com

Minnesota Point, also known as Park Point, is an excellent place to hike and enjoy the morning sun. Shortly after dawn I hiked out to the Superior entry through thick pine forests, and along beach dunes looking out over Lake Superior. For folks who like birding, Minnesota Point can be an excellent spot as birds work their way along the “longest freshwater sand bar” in the world. This morning I found huge flocks of blue jays working their way along the point during their northward migration. Yellow-shafted flickers were also making their presence known as their call echoed through the woods. It was a great morning.

Yellow-Shafted Flicker Singing to the Sun!

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An Early Morning Row on the Harbor

Morning Reflections and Shadows!

May 20, 2015Year 2MN North: Two Harborsrichardhoeg@gmail.com

Early this morning just after sunrise I drove up to Two Harbors and walked the shoreline. This made for two days in row with deep blue skies, and although the temperature was a brisk 35F for a later day in May, the wind was calm. In short, it was a great morning to be alive. If you’ve never walked the trail that snakes around the point which forms the Two Harbors harbor, I highly recommend it.

The warbler invasion of the Northland that occurred a few days ago is now over, but there are still a few birds migrating through northeast Minnesota. I found this Chestnut-Sided Warbler hunting the puddles along the shore. It was fun to watch this bird and take photos. At one point I had a Cape May Warbler alight almost in front of my nose and remain motionless on a tall stalk of grass. Warblers never remain still. I assume this bird really wanted its photo taken. I obliged.

I finished off the perfect morning with a trip to a local fox den. By this time it had warmed up into the mid 40’s and the kits were enjoying the morning sun!

Chestnut-Sided Warbler