Looked out of our cabin’s bedroom window at 3:45 am this morning … Uff dah! Decided I needed to get dressed and head down to the lake (North Star Lake in northern Minnesota). While Northern Lights forecasts are notoriously poor, the numbers / forecast are much actually much better for tonight, Saturday, September 3rd. See the Aurora Borealis section of this blog to learn more about how and when to watch the Northern Lights in northern Minnesota. Life is good when you may watch Lady Aurora dance from your own bed!
Category Archives: Year 9
Return to Pine Island: Strutting Spruce Grouse
Yesterday morning I was up a bit before 5 am, and left shortly thereafter for Pine Island State Forest which is about a one hour drive from my cabin. While Mr. Moose (see blog post) did not make a repeat visit, I discovered that the local Spruce Grouse population was worried that I might be considering an attempt to become the “top male” of the forest. Even though it was the 2nd of September, just like their cousins, the Ruffed Grouse (see post), the Spruce Grouse were in a courting mode. Twice, I managed to walk within ten yards of two different birds, and each time the local challenged me and strutted!
The grouse need to be careful, the number of raptors in the forest was HUGE, and I’m sure most of them, including this Red-Tailed Hawk (photographed at Moose Land) would love grouse for breakfast.
Time now to review some Northern Lights photographs. I was not planning on heading outside at 3:45 am, but when one looks out the window of one’s bedroom, and realizes the Aurora is dancing over the lake, who could go back to bed?!
NorthStar Lake Common Loon Wolf Pack
The Wolfpack of NorthStar Lake was out last night fifteen minutes before sundown. Common Loons that might have fought to the death over mates and prime fishing territory back in May have now forgiven past transgressions and have formed a wolfpack! Ciscos and Perch beware! Seven Common Loons were fishing as a team. Last Fall I actually saw a flock of over 34 loons over on Trout Lake while hiking in to the Joyce Estate. The lake was dead calm, and reflective of the pines along the shore. Everyone, including Molly and me, were enjoying the last gasps of summer.
Try as I might, I could never get all seven loons in one image … thus six of the seven wolfpack common loons.