Category Archives: Year 2

The Day’s Waning Light! (Yr. 2: Day 47)

Year 2

Photographers love the day’s waning light, and I am no different! Once the harsh midday sun is gone, the opportunity arises to capture a totally different world of color. My evening started just before sunset with a visit from this red-bellied woodpecker. After a quick dinner I traveled the 600 yards down to the frozen shore of Lake Superior. I hope you will agree, it was a perfect evening!

Red-Bellied Woodpecker
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Brighton Beach Sunset over Lake Superior
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Love is in the Air: Sharp-Tailed Grouse Courting (Yr. 2: Day 45)

Year 2

Today, March 7th, the day finally dawned with the temperature not below zero. In fact, when I left for Sax-Zim Bog in the pre-dawn darkness, it was a balmy 28F! Apparently everyone, including the Sharp-Tailed Grouse enjoyed the warmer weather. Shortly after sunrise I found some courting going on! Given I had never seen grouse dance, this was a special morning for me. Sax-Zim Bog is always worth the trip of 50 miles from my home. I also volunteer at the Bog Welcome Center. Stop in and say “hello”. We are open for the winter season through Sunday, March 15th. I am volunteering both days next weekend.

Sharp-Tailed Grouse Courting Display
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Another Grouse, but not Courting
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Photographic opportunities have not been restricted to sunrise. I call this photo “Ice Planet Moonrise“. The scene is the frozen expanse of Lake Superior near Duluth two nights ago.
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Northern Magic: Aurora Borealis & Apostle Islands Ice Caves

Year 2,

The 40th day of year 2 demonstrates the magical beauty of the Northland. Shortly after 4 am, 40 miles north of Duluth, Minnesota I watched the Northern Lights dance across the early morning sky. While I was watching the Aurora, an owl kept me company hooting from about one hundred yards away!

If the day had just ended at this point, I would have been happy. However, along with a few friends we drove over to northwestern Wisconsin and visited the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Ice Caves. We hit the jackpot … a gorgeous blue ski day with mild winds and temperatures which soared into the mid 20’s. Winter is truly special!

Northern Lights Over Little Stone Lake (Minnesota)
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Apostle Islands Ice Caves
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Most folks walk over the frozen Lake Superior ice … some come by plane! Regardless, it is a treat to see the ice caves … an experience which only occurs every few years when a cold winter and winds over Lake Superior combine to make the ice safe to walk out to the caves.
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