Tag Archives: MN North: Minnesota Point

Lake Superior Shorebird Invasion

Year 5, ,

It’s that time of year … time for the twice annual Lake Superior shorebird invasion. During the spring and fall migrations these small birds make their way from the Arctic shoreline and the northern tundra south, many via Lake Superior. I had hoped I would see lots of shorebirds last week while working as a volunteer keeper at Crisp Point Lighthouse, but such was not the case. These birds are smart, and although they are present in large numbers at Whitefish Point (20 miles to the East), they understand it is smarter to work one’s way south via Lake Michigan rather than West Southwest via Crisp Point. I saw only a few Baird’s Sandpipers.

Arriving home in Duluth was the ticket. Birds are blown against the Lake Superior shoreline by North and Northwest winds. The shore birds then work their way southwest till they reach Duluth at the end of the lake. This morning after a good day’s blow from the north, my friends were very much in evidence … lots of lots of Sanderlings and even one SemiPalmated Plover. Two days ago it was the Lesser Yellowlegs turn which I spotted up at the Castle Danger treatment ponds. I love migration!

Sanderlings

Semipalmated Plover

Lesser Yellowlegs

 

An Explosion of Color in the Northwoods!

Year 5,

The winters are long and white here in northern Minnesota. The final snow this year did not melt till early May, and ice out on area lakes was mid May. While I love the winter, it also fantastic when the Northwoods finally explode with color once again. Over the past week color has been coming back to my world.

As a wildlife photographer, the combination of birds and blossoms is addicting! Over the past week I have camped out next Lilac and Crab Trees with my camera. This morning I almost despaired that I would find anything till a flock of migrating Common Grackles appeared. Jackpot!!!

Common Grackles … not so common!

Lilac Trees and Butterflies … Tiger Swallowtail and Monarch

Chestnut Sided Warbler

Arctic Ocean Bound! Plovers and Turnstones!

Year 5

The opening verse from the Song of Hiawatha:

On the shores of Gitche Gumee,
Of the shining Big-Sea-Water,
Stood Nokomis, the old woman,
Pointing with her finger westward,
O’er the water pointing westward,
To the purple clouds of sunset.

Lake Superior is magical, which Henry Wadsworth Longfellow knew, and I learned at a very early age. This morning, like many days, I went down to the beaches of Minnesota Point shortly after sunrise. For 45 minutes I had miles of beaches to myself (in terms of humans), but the south wind meant Arctic shorebirds were working their way north and stopping off for a rest on their way up to the Arctic Ocean.

Today’s visitor was a Black Bellied Plover and lots of Ruddy Turnstones. These birds time their migration to hit Lake Superior as it finally comes alive after a long cold winter, and then wait before going much further north. The Arctic is still frozen and the lakes iced over.

Both species of birds nest in approximately the same area, and when I say Arctic regions … I mean WAY UP North!!!  This map is from the Cornell School of Ornithology.

Ruddy Turnstones Wave Dancing!