Stony River Forest Road Reopened!

Year 11,

The HUGE rains of June did a number to many of the wilderness roads in northeastern Minnesota, including Stony River Forest Road. It had a significant number of washouts over its 20 mile length. However, it was reopened yesterday!!! I love to both drive and hike this road. Actually, truth be told … like a bad boy … I actually was frequently on the road after it was closed, but I had to restrict my travels to areas where holes would not swallow my car!

This morning I enjoyed a 20 mile drive on Stony. I tend to drive north to a boreal bog at the 10.5 mile mark, and then turn around. I decided as long as I was up on Stony, I might as well head over to my feeders and trailcams (9 miles distant) I hope you enjoy this video of a lone timber wolf. He was filmed yesterday, and I swear he smelled my scent on the trailcam. Towards the end of the video, the wolf stops and stares right at the camera. Have I been outed??! (video link for email subscribers)

Perhaps the wolf was hunting Spruce Grouse. A few days back I photographed this male within 50 yards of this trailcams. While I could have zoomed in closer with my camera, it is often better to show wildlife  in their habitat … in this case the golds of late Autumn. Apparently tomorrow morning our first winter storm of the year may hit with 1/2 foot of snow.

Greenwood Bog Canada Lynx!

Year 11

The area where both my birdfeeders and trailcams are located is remote, but a few weeks ago one of my trailcams was stolen. Last week I purchased two new cameras with cable locks as replacements. When I swapped out the Simm cards this morning, I was rewarded with this video of a Canada Lynx. All summer and Fall I have been capturing Moose and Lynx on my cameras. Fun!

And the video … nice closeup! (video link of the Canada Lynx for email subscribers)

I will write a review about my new trailcams soon. The price is very reasonable and the performance is sound. Finally, it was fun to run into one of my readers as I was putting up a new bird feeder this morning. I love meeting you folks!

Brighton Beach Drive … It’s Back!

Year 11

Duluth’s Brighton Beach Park has been under reconstruction for 3 years. Lake Superior storms had done severe damage, and Gitchi Gummi was close to making the park its own. As of today, the drive through the park after a 3 year hiatus is back! We locals who live nearby have been able to hike through the park during most of the rebuilding effort. The park is located on Duluth’s northeastern edge just before the start of the Two Harbors Expressway and Scenic 61 within walking distance of the mouth of the Lester River.

The park has always been a good birding walk particularly during the fall migration. Brighton Beach Drive was always a favorite detour for my wife and I when driving home, but 3 years this option has not been available. However, as of today, October 28, 2024, the drive is back. Please note the road is now only one way (smart decision) in a northeasterly direction.

Here is a short video of Brighton Beach Drive (link for email subscribers) which I took on my cell phone this morning (reopening day)! The pine groves seen to the left side of the road are where I was hiking/exploring for migrating owls a few days ago (daytime migration perches). A round trip walk from my house through Brighton Beach Park is 2.5 miles.

Screen Capture from my Video (video link for email subscribers)