This morning a bit before sunrise while on the way to the “birding grounds”, I got distracted! As I drove across the Aerial Bridge a few minutes after sunup I noticed the beautiful first light of the morning reflecting off ice chunks which were flowing out into Lake Superior. The St. Louis River current was fast due to all the snow melt runoff.
Birding was very successful … images coming tomorrow.
Canal Park Lighthouse Lake Superior Ice Flow Sunrise
(photos taken about eight minutes apart)
Last night I noticed the Fuldaborg, a Saltie out of the Netherlands would be arriving off the Duluth harbor around 5 am to pick up a cargo of grain. Knowing this was 15 minutes before sunrise, I thought the colors would be perfect … a sunrise entry at Canal Park on Lake Superior. Old Gitche Gumee did not fail me! For you Duluthians, listen closely between 5 and 35 seconds of the video. You will be able to hear the bells in the old Central School Clock Tower striking 5:00 a.m.!
In order to be in position out on the pier in time for the Fuldaborg’s arrival, I had to leave home at 4:15 am, getting up at 4:00 am. As long as I was already awake this early I visited some Ospreys I know in the area. One gave me a nice wing flapping performance. In short it was a great morning. When I returned home at 9:00 am, I had already been gone for five hours!
I can almost hear the Osprey saying … Did you see me nail that landing!
It was blustery over the weekend. Lake Superior showed one of its infinite varying moods. Our region experienced lots of rain, winds gusting to 40 mph, and big waves out on Lake Superior. Like any “young boy” (now in my early 60’s), I love boats. Thus, with birding being difficult I migrated to the lake. On Friday I photographed the Michipicoten (built in 1952), one of my favorite ore boats, as it arrived at Duluth’s Canal Park.
Some of you may not know that Duluth is one of America’s largest ports, and is located at the western terminus of the St. Lawrence Seaway. In addition to ships like the Michipicoten which ply their trade wholly on the Great Lakes, Salties sail to Duluth carrying cargoes from around the world.
Duluth’s port is managed by the Duluth Seaway Port Authority. With their permission I am attaching a pdf of the most current issue of their magazine, Spring 2018. If you are a boat nerd like me, a historian, or just like pretty photos of ships on the lake, take a look. Back issues may be accessed via their web site.