Tag Archives: MN South: Flying Cloud Fields

Real Grosbeaks of Minnesota! (a hit new TV series)

Year 10
When folks think of the species of grosbeaks you might see in Minnesota, Evening, Rose-Breasted and Pine Grosbeaks come to mind. Did you know there is one more grosbeak species that migrates up from Central America and Mexico to breed in southern Minnesota? Meet the Blue Grosbeak, which I found and photographed at Eden Prairies’ Flying Cloud Playing Fields yesterday morning. The magic spot for me were the trees near the outfield fences, and the young oaks across the street bordering the church parking lot. At least two blue grosbeaks were hanging out and singing.

And the other Minnesota Grosbeaks … (all photographed this year)

Evening Grosbeak

Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

Pine Grosbeak

And just because “blue” was not enough color for the morning, I also had fun with some American Goldfinches. My mistake of the day was arriving at the ballfields at 6:30 am. All the local birds for which I was searching basically waited till 7:30 am before venturing forth … also corresponding to when the bug hatch got going.

Barred Owl Nest!

Year 10

Excitement shortly after sunrise this morning! At least for me, but the Barred Owl was just trying to enjoy the sun’s warming rays on a cold winter’s morning (1F). I think that this bird is actually on a nest. Barred Owls love to nest in tree cavities. It is also amazing how much earlier in the winter that owls nest down in the Twin Cities area. I am visiting my daughter’s family, and back home on Amity Creek my own Great Horned Owls are still waiting for warmer weather, but they should also nest within two weeks.

Whooping Cranes!

Year 5, ,

According to the International Crane Foundation there are only 594 Whooping Cranes alive in the wild. Thus, when I knew I would be down in the Twin Cities, and two cranes had been often seen in the Minnesota Valley Nation Wildlife Refuge, I visited a bit after sunrise. While it took a while, I finally found the two Whoopers way across Rice Lake. While this photograph is poor due to the distance, I was just thrilled to see perhaps one of the rarest birds in the world. In the second photo there is also a Greater White-Fronted Goose in the foreground … another unusual bird for Minnesota.

The cranes were not the only large white birds present. Great Egrets are gathering on Rice Lake to feed heavily before starting their southern migration. It was fun to watch the dance of the egrets, a bird I rarely get to see in northern Minnesota.

Finally, on the way out of the area as I started my drive back to Duluth I stopped at Flying Clouds Fields in Eden Prairie. Blue Grosbeaks have extended their range to the north, and I struck pay dirt and saw this bird which would never be at home in the Boreal forest!

On the way driving down to the Minneapolis area, I also stumbled across this Sandhill Crane family intent on crossing the road, which leads one to ask the age old question … Why did the Sandhill Crane cross the road?

Video of the Great Egrets on Rice Lake