Category Archives: Year 5

Lighthouse Bound!

Year 5, ,

In the very near future, Molly and I will start our fifth season as lighthouse keepers at Crisp Point on the eastern end of Lake Superior. This job does not provide a cushy residence for the keepers; instead we will be camped 20 yards from Lake Superior and 38 miles from the nearest town (the final 19 miles by dirt logging road). In shore, we consider this location Heaven on earth. When the last guest leaves in the late afternoon, we have the big lake to ourselves with the nearest human being well over ten miles distant. As we will be off the grid, do not expect posts.

Given the recent days have been involved with both visiting relatives and getting ready for Crisp Point, my birding has been local. However, it is good to focus upon the old faithfuls! These birds provide me enjoyment. Maybe even one of these days I will find my Great Horned Owls which hoot back and forth in the middle of most nights near my house.

An “uncommon” Common Crow

A Juvenile Cedar Waxwing

A Juvenile Green Heron catches a minnow

Northern Lights App Recommendation

Background, Year 5

On May 14, 2021 I changed my recommended app. I now prefer Aurora-Alerts. See my full review on this blog (with annotated screenshots).

Old Recommendation …

NASA and NOAA recently changed some of their data feeds, which caused the app which I had been using to monitor and predict Aurora Borealis displays to become junk. Over the past few weeks I have installed the pro version (i.e. paid) of many Northern Lights apps, and have conducted an extensive evaluation of each of those apps. In many instances I reached out to the developers with questions, and to determine how responsive that developer was in supporting their app. In every instance, I purchased the app with my own money, and none of the developers provided me compensation of any kind.

The winner is My Aurora Forecast (Pro Version) developed by Jake Ruston. The app costs $1.99 US (free version available with advertisements). Versions exist for both Android and IOS. The app does a nice job of presenting relevant Northern Lights data in an easy to read manner, appears to update frequently, and allows for personal alerts. My only wish is the app contained the most recent 24 to 48 hours of actual Kp readings. It is useful to learn what conditions occurred while one was out viewing, or sleeping through the night!

  • Recommended App: My Aurora Forecast
  • Free Version: Apple iTunes (iOS) | Google Play (Android)
  • Paid / Pro Version: $1.99 – Purchased via on screen menu
  • Please purchase the Pro Version. Good app. Support the developer.

Here are screenshots annotated with my comments, often specifically relevant to the Lake Superior Region including viewing the Northern Lights in Minnesota.

Screen #1: Start-Up Screen / Current Kp Index / Set Your Location
Screen #1: Settings
Screen #1b: The configurable settings appear
Screen #1b: scrolling further down in settings
Screen #1c: Ovation Aurora!
———- Ovation Aurora now loads in place of the prior map
Screen #2: Current Conditions and Forecast
———- scrolling further down on screen #2
———- scrolling further down on screen #2
———- scrolling further down on screen #2
———- scrolling further down on screen #2
———-  scrolling further down on screen #2
Screen #3: Sunspot Photographs
Conclusion:

If you’re still with me, I really like this app, and the developer, Jake Ruston, has been quick to respond to my inquires. In addition, he is keeping the app current as reflected in the “most recent versions” dates found via Google Play or Apple iTunes.

While not a Northern Lights photograph, I am still having fun with AstroPhotography. Given we have not recently had good Aurora Borealis conditions, last Thursday night I hiked down into the Knife River Ravine just inland from the North Shore of Lake Superior. These photographs of the Milky Way are what resulted! In each case you are looking at just a single image with an exposure of 25 seconds. I tend to be “a realist” when it comes to night photography. I prefer my photos to approximate what I am able to see with the naked eye.

Whooping Cranes!

Year 5, ,

According to the International Crane Foundation there are only 594 Whooping Cranes alive in the wild. Thus, when I knew I would be down in the Twin Cities, and two cranes had been often seen in the Minnesota Valley Nation Wildlife Refuge, I visited a bit after sunrise. While it took a while, I finally found the two Whoopers way across Rice Lake. While this photograph is poor due to the distance, I was just thrilled to see perhaps one of the rarest birds in the world. In the second photo there is also a Greater White-Fronted Goose in the foreground … another unusual bird for Minnesota.

The cranes were not the only large white birds present. Great Egrets are gathering on Rice Lake to feed heavily before starting their southern migration. It was fun to watch the dance of the egrets, a bird I rarely get to see in northern Minnesota.

Finally, on the way out of the area as I started my drive back to Duluth I stopped at Flying Clouds Fields in Eden Prairie. Blue Grosbeaks have extended their range to the north, and I struck pay dirt and saw this bird which would never be at home in the Boreal forest!

On the way driving down to the Minneapolis area, I also stumbled across this Sandhill Crane family intent on crossing the road, which leads one to ask the age old question … Why did the Sandhill Crane cross the road?

Video of the Great Egrets on Rice Lake