Tag Archives: MN North: Gunflint Trail

Advance Planning Photography

Year 7,

How does one get the shot? In my case my goal is to photography the Milky Way just a few thousand feet from the Canadian Border of Minnesota in the BWCA. The answer to the question is “advanced planning’. While I have never been in the exact location where I intend to visit late tonight, I have seen it “in my mind” and using online tools. Today’s post will walk you through the thought process behind my planned photograph. Tomorrow’s post will show you the result … good or bad. (see the results!)

My tools for this planning session are Google Maps (normal and satellite view), the Android App PlanIt Pro, and a Lunar Moon Phase App.

First … a screenshot of Google Maps Satellite View. I am located at the red pin maker.

Still using Google Maps, I zoom in using Satellite View. While I am staying at Gunflint Pines, I know the Milky Way is in the SW sky this time of year. For my photograph I want water, preferably calm water for reflected stars. Using Google Maps I zoom in and out looking for views to the southwest.

My Android App notes the skies where I am located at truly dark … a number 1 rating.

My research via Google Maps found the Cross River at its outlet from Gunflint Lake. Further research via PlanIt Pro gives me the exact location of the Milky Way at 10:06 pm … about 2 hours and 20 minutes after sunset. Normally, true darkness starts two hours after sundown. This location looks to give me water for reflected stars, and protection from any wind. We shall see. Remember … although I have spent a reasonable amount of time on the Gunflint Trail over the years, I have never been to this exact location.

Just providing a more zoomed out screenshot which will help folks better understand my location.

Finally a quick check of the Lunar Phases Map. The moon will not be an issue at 10:15 pm, and really all night … 21% illumination is not too much.

Anyhow … you now have an idea of my advanced planning which goes into tonight’s Milky Way photograph. Results tomorrow!

Oh yes … this is a blog about birds! I found one of my Great Horned Owls this morning about 7 am. For the past two weeks I had not been able to find any of the owls, nor have I heard the youngsters begging at night (was an almost nightly occurrence during July and August). I am beginning to wonder if the juvenile owls have finally been kicked out of the parent’s territory (normal).

Regardless, the owl was way up high, sleepy, and not open to much of any decent photographs.

Red Crossbills Near Gunflint Lake (video)

Year 6

I found a flock of Red Crossbills this morning near Gunflint Lake … just a few miles south of the Canadian Border in NE Minnesota. Assuming a good local food source, Crossbills are one of the few bird species which will mate and nest in the dead of winter. Many of the birds in this flock appeared to be paired off, and by my estimation the pine cone crop looked very good in the area. Thus, I would expect many of these birds to nest soon.

Red Crossbills Gritting Up

Male Red Crossbill

Female Red Crossbill

A Happy Couple

Looking across Gunflint Lake towards Canada (about the only ice free lake in the area because it is deep)

Red Crossbills Video Link

A Fox’s Winter Wonderland

Year 6,

Winter has arrived in the Northland. You may be thinking … hey wait, it is only November 7th! However when the overnight lows for the last week have been 10F, and the highs only reach to the mid 20’s, it’s winter. The calendar is not important.

Today I moved up the shore of Lake Superior, and then inland on the Gunflint Trail. When I say I was remote and in the wilderness today, most folks can have no conception of what this really means. Only on the Gunflint Trail would moose give my car the tongue licking car wash … see my post from last March!

I actually started the day viewing the seasmoke over Wisconsin. Given the cold air temperatures Lake Superior was steaming up a storm. My local mallards were all down on the big lake because all the inland water is already frozen solid. However, the real treat of the day was watching “Red” hunt not once, but twice. During my explorations of the Gunflint this afternoon, I found my Red Fox hunting in the same exact spot fifty minutes apart. At this time of the year, mammals and birds start to hunt the roadside areas. There is more likelihood of catching a meal, and the snow is not quite as deep. I saw the fox make one successful kill during the 15 minutes I watched it hunt.

In total I moved 100 miles up the shore of Lake Superior today. Molly is attending a Northwoods writer’s conference, which allows me to escape into the woods!!!

Red Fox Hunting on the Gunflint Trail near the Canadian Border

Sunrise SeaSmoke Mallards off the Lester River on Lake Superior

Sunset at Grand Marias on Lake Superior