Tag Archives: MN North: Forest Hill Cemetery

In Search of Color on a Gloomy Day (Back Roads to Sax-Zim Bog)

Year 2, ,

Over the past few days I have been exploring back roads in northern Minnesota somewhat near to Duluth. My goal is to be ready for the fall migration and winter birding. During these travels the sun disappeared shortly after dawn two days ago, and it has not made a reappearance. The red fox photo in this post was taken five minutes before the clouds rolled in.

Today, I decided I need to find color to fight against the gloomy skies. Success! Some of my normal haunts yielded up photo ops of birds which stood still enough to let me deal with the long exposure times required. Now … if the sun would just reappear, I can’t wait to revisit the green-winged teal and my favorite wild flower location. Patience!

Finally, one of my explorations yielded a great new route to drive over to Sax-Zim Bog from Duluth. Just before the 36 mile marker on Mn #4 (Rice Lake Road) is the dirt road, Comstock Lake Road. The road is 21 miles long and ends right at Cotton, Minnesota on US #53 directly opposite Arkola Road … a favorite entry into Sax-Zim Bog. Comstock is excellent. From the 7.5 mile point, there is a power line which stretches all the way to Cotton (13.5 miles more of driving). The power line should be great for owling, and the countryside included bogs, heavy forest, and an occasional farm or meadow. This route required an extra 30  minutes to reach Cotton, but I was in beautiful surroundings in “bird friendly environment” my entire drive to Sax-Zim Bog (as opposed to a four lane highway, US #53). I’ve included a map and a photo of a typical scene of Comstock Road.

My own route to get to Comstock was Lester River Road (then a few local roads), Jean Duluth Road, Normanna Road, Rice Lake Road (Mn #4) and finally Comstock Road. This takes one right past the location on Jean Duluth Road I discovered Kelly J last December. Kelly J is a northern hawk owl that hung around till early March.

Last sun … Red Fox at Dawn
Y2-M07-Red-Fox-Breakfast

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Green-Winged Teal
Y2-M07-Green-Winged-Teal-1

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American Goldfinch
Y2-M07-Goldfinch

 

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Comstock Road Map & Typical Scene Along Powerline
Y2-M07-Comstock-Lake-Rd Comstock-Road

 

 

 

Breakfast at the Duck Pond! (Year 2, Month 5)

Year 2

When birding in the Duluth area, most folks will visit the normal spots:

  • Sax-Zim Bog in hopes of seeing a Great Grey Owl
  • Western Waterfront Trail for shorebirds and waterfowl
  • Scenic 61 for ducks
    (see my blog page on Northern Minnesota Birding Locations)

However, one would be remiss if a trip to the “duck pond” was not included. Locals know this site and visit early in the morning, or a bit before sundown. The pond (actually two) is at the Forest Hill Cemetery in Duluth. It has a resident population of domestic geese, and a constant wild population of mallards and Canada geese. In the old adage, birds attract birds, other birds will often stop at the pond for a day or two … sometimes longer.

This morning I had the pleasure of watching a hooded merganser and a spotted sandpiper. The road right next to the pond allows one to “sneak up” of the birds while using the car as a photographer’s blind. Thus, here are my breakfast birds!

Hooded Merganser
Y2-M05-Hooded-Merganser-1a Y2-M05-Hooded-Merganser-2a

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Spotted Sandpiper
Y2-M05-Spotted-Sandpiper-1a

An Afternoon in the Fog: Swan Attack! (Year 2, Month 5)

Year 2,

Last winter’s cold, cold nights means the Lake Superior water temperature even in mid May is still very cold (i.e. in the high 30’s). Unfortunately the direct result of this cold water is lots and lots of fog. Most outdoorsmen know that fog and photography don’t mix, or that’s what lot’s of people think. I often head out in during these conditions. The fog itself can present eerie image opportunities, and one never knows when the fog may lift, even somewhat.

Yesterday afternoon was just such a day. Rather than be grouchy at home I took a quick bike ride and then headed out with my camera. The results speak for themselves!

Trumpeter Swan attacks and drives Canada Goose off local pond
Y2-M05-Trumpeter-Swan-Attack-Canada-Goose-2

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Love in the fog … Ring-billed Gulls
Y2-M05-Gull-Love-2

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Common Yellow-Throat (Warbler)
Y2-M05-Yellow-Throat-1

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Ring Necked Duck
Y2-M05-Ring-Necked-Duck