Category Archives: Year 3

Snow Buntings!

Year 3

The snow buntings, the last large migration of birds from the Arctic region, are starting to work their way into the Duluth region. Yesterday, a bit north of town, I saw a flock of over 250 buntings. Thus, this afternoon I went down to Park Point which creates the Duluth Harbor and searched for a smaller flock. As these birds spook very easily, it is impossible to get near large flocks. Thankfully I found a small group of six birds, and so very carefully worked my way close to their afternoon feed. This small bird is almost pure white in the Summer while mating, and still quite pretty in its winter plumage. Learn more via Cornell.

Afternoon Feed!
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Looking for Danger … Above and Around!
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Video

Transitions … Falling into Winter!

Year 3,

The sun finally made its rumored reappearance yesterday in northern Minnesota. As the mercury soared to 59F and I took my daily bike ride up the North Shore of Lake Superior on Scenic 61 basking in the warmth (and wearing shorts of November 1st!), it was hard to believe that in all likelihood by the end of this month I was be cross-country skiing. During my ride I saw some late blooming black-eyed susans, and even a few dragonflies. Weird!
black-eyed-susans

The birds know that this weather is only a tease. The Northwoods have long since been emptied of summer songbirds. Instead snow buntings, visitors from the Arctic, some of our last migrants have appeared along our roadsides. On hwy #7 in Sax-Zim Bog, I watched a flock of 250+ of there white fluffballs forage for seeds. Thankfully, I found one lone errant snow bunting which allowed me to get closer for taking a photo.
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A magpie forages in a farm field … Sax-Zim Bog
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As sunset approached I took a quick swing up and back to Two Harbors. Hawks, particularly red-tailed and rough-legged hawks often use the large grassy areas along the expressway for some late afternoon hunting. Such was the case with this red-tailed.
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Harbor Night Lights!

Year 3

The weather has been dreary, and the birds have been few. Thus, when God gives you lemons, make lemonade! With that thought in mind I decided to work on low light photography, and shortly after 5 am this morning (2 hours 15 minutes before sunrise) I was down on the Duluth waterfront. I wanted to play around with camera settings and see what I could accomplish during the dark … both in terms of “stopping the action”, but having enough light for an interesting photograph.

From advance knowledge (Duluth Shipping News) I knew the Philip Clarke would be steaming out of the harbor and under Duluth’s High Bridge early this morning. When my marine app showed it had begun its trip I hastened down and walked out onto the Old Interstate Bridge (circa 1897). A few spans from this historic bridge still exist which allow one to walk almost out to the shipping channel.

This image was the result: (the sun returns tomorrow, and hopefully some birding photography opportunities)

  • ISO = 3,200
  • Aperture = 2.0
  • Exposure = 1/50th of second
  • Focus = Infinity

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