Category Archives: Year 8

Big Box Store Birding: Green Herons

Year 8

It’s often worthwhile to bird in unusual places. A few days ago I commented upon birding one’s local ponds, and at the time talked about cemeteries with ponds. Believe it or not the local Sam’s Club pond in Hermantown is a great birding location. At least three Green Herons are hunting at Sam’s Club. After finding one heron yesterday, I returned early this morning and planted myself with a different vantage point such that the sun was at my back.

I hope you enjoy Green Herons as much as me. These birds are unusual for Duluth, as we are on the fringe of their range. Enjoy … my goal was to get some reflections / mirror photographs. (today’s owl photo below the Green Herons!)

As I often do, the morning actually started at sunrise with a hike to my owling grounds. I was rewarded with this view of two of the Great Horned Owlets. Ever wonder why finding owls is difficult? Maximize this image and you will know why. For three minutes I did not realize I was looking at two owls; I only saw the bird located higher up.

Amity Creek Trail Cam!

Year 8

Now on video … a true nature classic … the first two weeks of the Amity Creek Trail Cam!!! Starring …

  • Bert the Bear
  • Rich … the birder
  • Molly … the bride (38 years)
    and
  • The Deer Herd!

YouTube video link for email subscribers (one minute, 30 seconds in length)

Stills from the movie featuring some of the stars …

Bert the Bear (tearing down feeders)

Wildcamera

Rich … the birder (fixing feeders)

Wildcamera

Bambi (enjoy the feeders once more)

Wildcamera

Know Your Local Ponds! Great Birding

Year 8, ,

Yesterday morning I “did the ponds.” These small bodies of water are great birding opportunities. Better yet, if the ponds have small islands to make wildlife feel safe, even better. Quite often cemeteries will have ponds. The best ponds do NOT have manicured lawns next to them. Tall grasses and wetlands are the best. In Duluth I often visit Forest Hill and Sunrise Cemeteries. In addition, Sam’s Club has a nice pond opposite its car service area. One final advantage of urban ponds, the wildlife is often accustomed to people which makes getting close much, much easier.

Pond Pics … A Otter, Kingfisher (female) and Green Heron

After a day at the ponds, I was out hiking before sunrise at 5:30 this morning. My local Red-Eyed Vireos started screeching in alarm and thus I was rewarded with finding two owlets.