Category Archives: Year 4

Northland Love!

Year 4, , ,

Although our weather can be highly variable … with temperature drops of 30 degrees when the wind shifts off Lake Superior, our local populace has been busy either raising families, or making preparations.

Merlin Hunting for Breakfast (mouth of Lester River on Lake Superior)

Mom Always Liked You Best! (Trumpeter Swan family at MacQuarrie Wetlands)

My Cover Appears to be Blown!

Snapping Turtle Laying Down Eggs

Calling Out for a Mate (Wilson’s Snipe at the Roy Johnson Wetlands)

Searching for a Mate (Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker)

Hawk Ridge … Not Just for Raptors Anymore!

Year 4

While bicycling in rural northwestern Wisconsin yesterday I noticed quite a few Indigo Buntings. This was a sign for me that some of our latest migrants back to the Northland had finally returned. Thus, last night after supper I drove the two short miles up to Hawk Ridge. While most folks know Hawk Ridge as one of the premier Autumn raptor migration locations in North America, during the late Spring when songbirds are migrating north the extensive wild fruit and berry trees attract lots of birds on calm, clear mornings. Actually the birds may be up at Hawk Ridge on cold, wet, windy and foggy days, but I prefer to stay home! 🙂

Note: Hawk Ridge is a great fall raptor migration viewing spot because hawks while migrating south run into Lake Superior. Raptors do not like to fly across large bodies of water, and thus they fly hundreds of miles down the North Shore of Lake Superior till the birds reach the end of the lake (Duluth). Out hill on calm warm days provide both great thermals for the hawks, and good viewing opportunities for us birders. From Hawk Ridge down to the lake is a drop of about 600 feet.

Hawk Ridge did not disappoint. In the 30 minutes before the sun dipped below the horizon, I was treated to a sunset with Golds, Greens and Indigo!

Indigo Bunting at Sunset

I returned at sunrise, the enjoyed a crystal clear calm morning (37F at 5:30 am). Here are a few of the birds I found this morning … and the John G. Munson arriving the Duluth harbor at sunrise (the view from Hawk Ridge out over Lake Superior towards town).

The John G. Munson Arriving at the Duluth Harbor

Chestnut-Sided Warbler

Great Crested Flycatcher (Singing Out and Coughing Up!)

Cedar Waxwing Eating Blossoms

Sherburne National Wildlife Preserve: Cygnets!

Year 4,

Molly and I took a quick overnight trip down to the Twin Cities, which meant before sunrise yesterday I drove northwest to visit the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge. This wildlife refuge / extensive wetlands is about 40 miles NW of Minneapolis, and has a “wildlife drive” which allows one great access. If you go, make certain to arrive at sunrise. You will have better viewing opportunities, and few people around.

Although I was at Sherburne for birding, I had to immediately stop and enjoy the gorgeous prairie grasses. Wild Lupine were in full bloom. This native lupine is smaller than the flower which is normally seen along roadsides in the Northland. The low light / golden hour meant I was presented with a sea of blue, gold and green! Birding had to wait!

After my prairie experience, it was on to birding. The most exciting discovery of the morning was a Trumpeter Swan with newly hatched chicks / cygnets. It was fun to enjoy the young birds enjoy the morning sun.

While watching the Trumpeter Swans, the surrounding reeds suddenly became inundated with new birds. Black Terns and Yellow Headed Blackbirds which I did not even know were present, irrupted into both song and flight. It was fantastic.

To top off the morning in another pond, I had fun watching this Great Blue Heron hunt for breakfast while a male Wood Duck looked on …

Finally two more “blossom” photos from my Saturday morning outing to the Roy Johnson Wetlands. I love this time of year!