Category Archives: Year 4

Indigo Morning: Lupines and Buntings!

Year 4,

The lupine have been blooming for two weeks inland from Lake Superior, but down on the shore the cool waters delay blossoms. Thus, this morning I drive up the shore to a favorite location where I knew the sun would align with the lupine at sunrise. Only for a few days near the Summer equinox does the sun rise directly in line with the shore. I liked the effect!

After my flower power session I moved on to Hawk Ridge. A few weeks ago I have photographed a classic ore boat arriving at Canal Park. I have been watching the shipping schedule and waiting for an early morning arrival. When I took my other ore boat arrival photo, I did not have a tripod. This time, I did it “right” and photographed the Cason J. Callaway as it arrived at Duluth.

Finally, while taking the above photograph, an Indigo Bunting serenaded me. This is said bird!

I’ll end this blog post with a pic taken of my own home. I arrived home at 6:30 am (been out since 4:45 am) as the sun finally dappled into my own yard!

Birds Gone Fishing!

Year 4

Summer starts tomorrow, but don’t tell the birds at the mouth of the Lester River on Lake Superior. While this birding location is definitely not a hotspot during the winter, come late spring and summer this is a great little spot … and only 1/2 mile from my House!

Given the time of year, I knew merganser chicks should have hatched. However, between Grandma’s Marathon last Saturday (lots of people), and ugly weather since … I knew a trip to the river mouth did not make much sense. However, this morning was sunny and calm … in short a great day for any Common Merganser mom worth her webbed feet to sun the little guys at the mouth of the river. Within seconds of arriving at the river I hit the jackpot. Using some butt scooting and crawling, the duck family let me get within 15 yards, and never spooked. It was a great morning.

The Common Merganser family of Lester River

Ten minutes later … wolfpack on the loose!

Belted Kingfisher gets in on the fishing

This Ring-Billed Gull wanted in on the action

Meanwhile … a hundred yards upstream … aerial combat was joined five seconds after I took this photograph. Four Blue Jays attacked a Merlin’s nest. The jays wanted eggs for breakfast. Three minutes of aerobatics ensued as the Merlins defended their turf.

The Victor and still Champion!

Sax-Zim Bog Dickcissel!

Year 4

Thanks to a birding report from Jan & Larry K. I learned that a few Dickcissels had been seen on Racek Road in the Bog. Although the last two mornings have been blustery, dark and at times wet, I could not resist the opportunity to see this bird which is rarely seen in northern Minnesota.

Both of the last two days I have seen multiple Dickcissels singing while perched in the bushes just sound of Racek Road (about 400 yards in from Cty 29/229). While visiting the bog, make certain to swing just a little further north and enjoy the Sandhill Cranes which are raising a family in the wildflowers fields just below South Overton Road.

Sandhill Crane  … I’ll give you a daisy, a day!  Did I mention the wildflowers are blooming in northern Minnesota?!

Dickcissel … Singing in the rain!