Tag Archives: MN North: Forest Hill Cemetery

The Aurora Hunter’s Wife! (Yr. 2: Day 56)

My wife, Molly, is a freelance writer for Lake Superior Magazine, and maintains her own blog. This morning she posted a story about the life of an aurora hunters spouse. Sound familiar for any of you?! LOL! I think she could have just as easily written the entire same article about birding! Here is an excerpt from her article … as well as the link to the full content:

I’ve gotten used to living with an Aurora Hunter.  The constant monitoring of atmospheric indicators.  The blips and beeps that go off night and day from apps informing him of favorable conditions.  Flinging around mysterious terms like Kp index, solar wind speed, Bz and coronal mass ejection.  And the nocturnal trips out into the dark and cold.  All in search of Northern Lights. (read full article on Molly’s blog, Superior Footprints)

Molly was a good sport, and she went Aurora chasing with me on my second straight night out watching the Northern Lights. Here are two photos from last night, with Molly: (see my prior’s night’s efforts when the Aurora display was even more awe inspiring)

Northern-Lights-Little-Stone-Lake-3 Northern-Lights-Little-Stone-Lake-1

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Oh yes … I still went birding after a nap … found this American Black Duck duo!
Y2-D056-American-Black-Duck-Pair-Quacking

Changing Seasons: Winter & Spring Friends

Winter is giving up its hold on the Northwoods. The snow has melted, even in the deep forest. While it is nice to be warmed by the sun with just a faint memory of severe below zero temperatures (F, not C), we locals know not to get too comfortable. Even as we celebrated “pi” day which comes but once per century (3.14.15 … ), everyone knows the snow will be back quite a few times before the leaves bud out in very late May.

However, for the moment like everyone else I am enjoying the change of seasons. Here are a few photos from the past few days … Year #2, Days 49 to 52.

American Black Duck … utilizing the only, but small, open water to be found
Y2-D049-American-Black-Duck-Pair

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Fire and Ice – Sunrise at Canal Park
Y2-D049-Canal-Park-Sunrise-2

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Breakfast for the Ermine / Weasel
Y2-D052-Ermine-1 Y2-D052-Ermine-2 Y2-D052-Ermine-3

Day 290: Beauty Before the Storm

Our first major winter storm is bearing down on the Northland. It appears the birds must know this fact, and were busy foraging and eating all day long. Here are a series of photos from sunrise to just before sunset.

20 minutes before sunrise at Brighton Beach (Canada Geese)
290-Birds-365-Sunrise-Geese 290-Birds-365-Sunrise-Brighton-Beach

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Look at me! I can walk on water! (Mallards)
290-Birds-365-Mallards-Walk-On-Water

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Food! (Blue Jay)
290-Birds-365-Blue-Jay-Eating 290-Birds-365-Blue-Jay-Foraging