The Duluth / Superior Shipping Season ended two days ago on January 17,  and will not resume until this spring on approximately March 25, 2024. The formal opening depends upon the amount of ice down at the Soo Locks. I had fun watching the Heritage Marine Tug, the Helen H. and the US Coast Guard Cutter, Spar, break ice. The law requires the Coast Guard to keep the shipping channels open, but the shipping companies must pay tug boat companies to keep the slips and wharves ice free. The ice breaking effort was to make it possible for the ore boat / freighter, the John G. Munson, to dock for the winter. In total eight freighters are doing their winter layover in our harbor (maintenance, repairs and upgrades). Much of the work is performed at the Fraser Shipyards.

The end result was the John. G. Munson was able to dock. I took this photo that night after the Munson had arrived. The ice has already refrozen and locked the freighter in her winter home. Three videos of the ice breaking operations follow the still images.

The Helen H. combined with the US Coast Guard Cutter, Spar, to break the harbor ice.

And some videos of the ice breaking operations … (links for email subscribers: one | two | three)

This definitely fits my January 10th Anniversary Hashtag theme of #365Birds01White

Sometimes when I go out birding, I fail to find many of my feathered friends, but I did come across a small pack of timber wolves this morning out of the St. Louis River Bay Ice! One is able to tell these are wolves by their “rounded ears”, and their head / body shape.

A Timber Wolf Looking at Me!

It’s buddy ran across the road right in front of me, and ran fast away from me

Some more images of the wolves … not sure makes for a very big pack

And these images definitely qualify for this months theme … lots of ice! #365Birds01White

Last night was a balmy 8F, and I am not being facetious! The key weather element  was the fact the wind was dead calm, and when one is standing completely in the wide open spaces of the harbor, this is what makes a difference. Thus, I decided heading down after dark to the Duluth Harbor for a photographic expedition that would include both ice and ships was just the ticket. I had  great time.

Duluth High Bridge (Blatnik Bridge) & Interstate Bridge (circa 1890)

Saltie Freighter / Ship Retko at the Port Terminal