Tag Archives: MN North: McQuade Harbor

Ice Road Aurora Borealis

Year 9, ,

While not the best part of the Northern Lights display from last night, this pic does show the “Ice Road” on which I was parked last night on a frozen lake north of Two Harbors. I turned on my car’s parking lights to illuminate the scene. The temperature was minus 25F at the time!

Ice Road Aurora Borealis in Northern Minnesota

Additional Photos of last night’s Northern Lights Display

Two Hours Later at McQuade Harbor … 20 minutes before sunrise. Some fishermen get ready for the morning fish!

Poor Richard’s Almanac: Snow Soon!

Year 8,
Sorry folks, but winter is coming soon to the Northland! One way I measure how soon snow will be in our future is when Snow Buntings arrive from the tundra near the Arctic Ocean. While I have seen other birds this fall that may have nested that far north, those birds also use more southern habitat in Canada. Snow Buntings are truly a very northern bird. Get those shovels ready. (range map courtesy of the Cornell School of Ornithology)
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My apologies to Ben Franklin and his “Poor Richard’s Almanac“, however I am named “Richard” and my birds help me predict the seasons. There will be snow soon!
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I also had a lifer for me at Forest Hill Cemetery yesterday afternoon. I decided to see if the Soras were still around (there were), and spied a Swamp Sparrow. Like the Soras, Swamp Sparrows like to hide out in the reeds. This individual gave me nice views.

NE Minnesota Public Bird Feeders

Year 8

Most birders know about the public bird feeders at Sax-Zim Bog, and at Gooseberry State Park along the North Shore. There are now some new feeders which welcome your visit. If you often bird at McQuade Harbor, these bird feeders are less than a five minute drive along Scenic 61 at French River Lutheran Church on Ryan Road.  Our church is 300 yards up from the lake, and the hope is the feeders will attract birds migrating along the shores of Lake Superior. The feeders are located around back just off the parking lot near the campfire area. In warmer months bring a swimsuit and walk the short path from the campfire area to French River swimming hole! Watch out for young children. The church has an outdoor focused pre-school.

Fall / Winter 2022-23 Post Update: Hopefully Bert the Bear is now asleep. Thus, the feeders will all be up and filled by Saturday, December 3rd. Happy birding!

Map to French River Lutheran Church from McQuade Harbor

Photograph of the new feeders