The forest fires in Canada are sending their smoke down to northeastern Minnesota via the jet stream. The end result are dramatic red sunsets (and white haze on days that should be crystal blue skies). I decided when God gives you lemons (white smoky skies), make lemonade. Thus with significant advance planning I arrived on site at an osprey nest 60 minutes before sundown last night. I waited for over 30 minutes as the sun moved (as did I), but them got lucky as “Mom Osprey” took off to go fishing at sunset. (two different crops of the first photograph)

The current Smoke Map from the US Government

Live in Northland (or visiting the Duluth area)? Folks need to bird a hidden gem not known to most people named the Canosia State Wildlife Management Area. My favorite entry point is at the end of the public part of West Lismore Road (parking area and DNR trail gate). With a short round trip hike (1 mile) I can visit an active osprey nest, a huge Great Blue Heron rookery, and enjoy a large beaver dam which attracts all kinds of other birds and mammals (rookery involves some bushwacking). Keep your eyes open while driving along the Lismore Road (off Lavaque Road). The pond and surrounding woods often yield other sightings. Most years, early in the morning I find Sandhill Cranes.

Here are a few Sandhill Crane images I took at sunrise three days ago. My goal was to see if the Osprey chicks were yet making an appearance, but given they were still too tiny to really show above the edge of the nest, I spent time with the Sandhills. One photography note for these cranes. You need to take your photographs soon after sunrise. Their plumage is pretty but the light colors get blown out by bright sun later in the morning.

This was the second stop of my morning. After laying down on the ground watching the owlets this morning for an hour starting at 6:45 am with the mercury at 30F (photos coming), I needed to warm up. Thus I took a series of short hikes as I drove around and checked osprey nests. The Canosia nest is my favorite, closely followed by “Steamshovel Sally”. This nest is surrounded by wetlands and very natural. I still needed to wear a winter parka to take these photographs. Being motionless, even standing, for 30 minutes waiting for some action can sometimes be tough.

The Nest … Looking for a Good Lady Osprey!

The Favorite Tree (about 150 yards from the nest)