Terrific Toomey Time!

Year 11

Although I had a great Northern Lights distraction my first night up at my cabin, my goal for the three day stay was to bird and enjoy the wilderness west of Big Falls, Minnesota via Toomey Williams Forest Road. Tuesday and Wednesday saw me arrive at Toomey before dawn, and I was rewarded for my efforts. In addition I enjoyed peace and solitude … hours and hours including many hikes in the deep forest … never seeing another person or evidence of humanity (such as a cabin, shed, etc).

Mr. Moose! Apparently I do NOT know how to make a very good Cow Moose call. After watching Bullwinkle for five minutes after sunrise on Wednesday, I tried to make my best cow moose call. Apparently that effort was extremely poor! Rather than coming out of the thicket and walking towards me, the moose looked towards me and then hurried off! LOL. Regardless, I was only 35 yards from this huge creature!

After my time with Bullwinkle, the Spruce Grouse decided it was warm enough to come out and eat. The temperature when I arrive at Toomey each morning was in the mid 20’s. In the first few images you will see why these grouse have the word “spruce” as part of their name. This bird was eating spruce buds.

In this second sequence a pair of Spruce Grouse were eating seeds on the side of the road. They allowed me to walk within about 15 yards.

My other “hangout” is always a beaver pond that I found about one year ago. The beavers have dammed up a small creek and wildlife absolutely love the result.

White-Winged Crossbills (love to grit up on the dirt road next to the pond … have seen them four times in a row at the beaver pond)

My other treat was a Belted Kingfisher which was hanging around the Northwoods rather late this year. It also loves the beaver pond, and this bird allowed me to get within 15 yards and watch for 20 minutes during its search for breakfast. Please understand kingfishers spook so very easily; thus I was thrilled with my access.

I know many folks follow this blog because I often bird and report about Sax-Zim Bog. Toomey Williams makes Sax-Zim look like a big city, and Toomey’s habitat is wunderbar.

 

Lady Aurora Dances and Dances!

Year 11

Last night was epic, but nothing much had been forecast with respect to a dance by Lady Aurora, but she is fickle! Shortly after sunset it became obvious that the Northern Lights might make an appearance. The skies were clear, and the moon had set by 9 pm when the Lady decided to dance … and oh my how she danced. The entire sky was filled with her performance. One could even look south and watch pulsating rays of color.

Here is a video I took about 9:20 pm. This is NOT a time lapse compilation of images. It is the real time dance of Lady Aurora taken on a somewhat common camera (Sony A6300 at 3200 ISO) Make certain you watch the short video through to its ending. The lights just keep getting better and better! (video link for email subscribers)

Northstar Lake (from my dock)

Suomi Lutheran Church

Smith Lake (looking north, then south!)

Coming Soon to a Forest Near You: The Golden Time

Year 11

I took this bog image two mornings ago, and the photograph is indicative of the “Golden Time” coming soon to the Boreal Forest. Tamarack Pines are one of the only pines trees which lose their needles every fall. In 7 to 10 days every Tamarack in the Boreal Forest will be bright gold. Venture out near sunrise or sunset, and Uff Dah … an explosion of gold!!!

On another front I was interviewed this morning on KSTP’s Minnesota Live program about birding the Northland. If you follow the link to their web site, you should be able to watch my segment for about two weeks. My wife took this picture of me during the broadcast. The interview is about five minutes in length.

It was a fun day! Now I’m up at my cabin 200 miles north of the Twin Cities with plans to bird the Pine Island State Forest near Big Falls for the next few days.