Summer is here! The lupine are blooming on the North Shore of Lake Superior! Oh yes … there was also a steam engine train this morning! Enjoy the whistle in the video.
Steam Train & Whistle (steam engine lupine video link for email subscribers)
#duluthtrains #visitduluth #exploreminnesota
As in Lakewood Elementary (GPS Google Maps Link) … just north of Duluth in Lakewood Township. If you park behind the school, and walk down the stairs behind the playground there are delightful wetlands with a nature trail. If you can handle the bugs, you will enjoy all the birds. There trail snakes its way through the woods as it circles part of the wetlands. However, while the trail is not difficult in terms of elevation or distance, it should NOT be hiked by anyone who has balance issues. There are some unusual wooden bridges on the trail that have short, but very steep decks. Having said that these wetlands have great birding. I only wish I could have photographed even 1/10th of all the warblers, waterbirds, and songbirds I saw. Sometimes birds just won’t perch still long enough to give me a chance to press the shutter!
I waited till today to post this information, as school is now out for the summer. During the school year … spring and fall … one should only bird this location during NON SCHOOL HOURS. Given all the young children that may be present, you don’t want to alarm staff, particularly if you carry cameras with long reaches. (Google Maps Link to Lakewood Elementary)
Map: Lakewood Elementary School Region
Some pics of the wetlands …
Standing in the middle of the bridge … pics show both directions. In the final wetlands image you can observe the school in the upper left hand corner of the photograph. It shows how close these wetlands are to the school and its parking lots.
Great Crested Flycatcher
Northern Flicker
I don’t think I have given enough emphasis to birding the Canosia Wildlife Preserve just north of Duluth. There are many birding options available … hikes or drives. On the car front any of these roads are worth your time:
The trails leading from either of these two trailheads are easy, but very buggy. Use bug goop. Eventually via the trails you want to reach the wetlands (more bugs). Here is a map I created. Please note the Great Blue Heron Rookery. It may only be reached by hiking off trail. In May, June and early July you will hear the herons long before you see them. Given sun angles, an early morning visit is best whether you are just birding, and / or wanting to take some photographs. There is also an osprey nest in the wetlands next to Trailhead #1. On Lavaque Road you will drive by “Steam Shovel Sam & Sally) (osprey nest in the shovel’s bucket).
These images were taken early Sunday morning.
Canosia Wildlife Reserve Map
Osprey
Broad-Winged Hawk
