Minnesota’s Arrowhead region is defined by its two endpoints … my home town in Duluth on the western tip of Lake Superior, and the Susie Islands on the Grand Portage Indian Reservation. Most folks know the Duluth end of the Arrowhead followed closely by Grand Marais, but this past Sunday I started my day 40 minutes before sunrise watching dawn slowly take over the sky from my vantage point on Mount Josephine overlooking the Susie Islands. This group of 13 islands are Minnesota’s most eastern point.
I hope you enjoy my photographic tour through “Points Unknown”. Given last Fall saw me bicycle touring through the “Middle of Nowhere”, it’s good to know I’ve finally arrived! You’ll understand when you scroll down through my day … and night!
Approximately 45 minutes before sunrise is the blue hour, with a lot of orange thrown into the equation. These images look out over the Suzie Islands with Isle Royale in the background. The vantage point is Mount Josephine. After sunrise I drove the remaining mile to the Canadian border and hiked up to High Falls on the Pigeon River.
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After watching the sunrise over the Susies, a few miles down the coast is the Grand Portage Indian Reservation. Near the end of Hat Point one will find the Witch Tree. If you visit, respect this tree which is sacred to Natives Americans. Maintain quiet while hiking and visiting. I was treated to a beaver laying up food for the winter in the nearby wetlands.
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On the way back towards Grand Marais one nears the small town of Hovland. A raven was enjoying “Road Kill Cafe” when our national bird, the Bald Eagle, decided he should be served first! The high wind meant a “bad hair day” for Mr. Eagle!
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If you’ve followed my blog for long, you will know I love to watch and photograph the Northern Lights. Thus, in Hovland I drove inland on the Arrowhead Trail. In addition to birding, I was researching possible Aurora Borealis photoshoot locations. I was amused to find I had ventured into “Points Unknown”! Last Fall while in Montana on a 1,400 mile bike tour I bicycled through “The MIddle of NoWhere”. I guess I get around! 🙂
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Returning to Grand Marais, I swapped out my car for my bicycle. Seeing the North Shore by bike is a great way to see more of the area’s beauty. When one travels at 12 mph, items which you would miss in a car jump out at you. My ride was only 18 miles, but the birds were easily spotted. All of these birds are visitors for the sub-Arctic region which come south to Minnesota and enjoy our “warm” winters. The order of the pics are:
1. Snow Bunting
2. Lapland Longspur
3. An unfortunate Snow Bunting hit by a car (please slow down for birds)
4. Rough-Legged Hawk
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Grand Marais is a great place to overnight. The small town is warm, friendly and has good places to eat. Make certain you don’t miss the sunset over the harbor! In the first photo I am looking back towards the lighthouse during the last light of day, and then drove over to the other side of the harbor to watch the sunset!
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Did I mention I love the Northern Lights?! Shortly after sunset I drove back north to the very end of Arrowhead Trail. Around 11 pm (sunset was at 5 pm) the Northern Lights danced across the sky for me. The display seemed to be a great way to end a fantastic day. It had started at 5:30 am when I drove north to see both the “blue hour” and sunrise over the Susies, and ended at midnight when I returned to the motel.
