Tag Archives: MN North: Mouth of the Lester River

Day 117: Day of the Mergansers!

May 19, 2014Year 1MN North: Mouth of the Lester Riverrichardhoeg@gmail.com

The post title sounds like a “B Movie”, but the name is appropriate. The smelt and steelhead run up the northern Minnesota streams and rivers of Lake Superior continues to strengthen, and the diving ducks are very aware of that fact! With the wind chance out of the NE, the ice left Wisconsin and slammed back against the Minnesota shore. However, the current at the mouth of the Lester River insures and opening for fishing.

Today I saw and photographed my first hooded merganser. I hope you’re agree they are a pretty bird. In addition, two red-breasted mergansers drakes fought over a hen. I wonder if any female is worth the trouble?!

View this project’s Flickr photo stream. (click upon image to view at full size)

Hooded Merganser

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Red-Breasted Merganser Fight

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Ice flowing back to Minnesota from Wisconsin

Day 116: Smelt for Breakfast Anyone?

May 18, 2014BackgroundMN North: Duluth Waterfront, MN North: Mouth of the Lester Riverrichardhoeg@gmail.com

One of the goals of a 365 day photography project is by working with the requirement to take a photograph every day, it forces the photographer beyond their comfort zone. Before this project, I would never have been able to capture this picture of two seagulls eating breakfast. While on the surface this photograph may not seem too amazing, it was actually taken 15 minutes before dawn with clouds on the horizon (i.e. meant even less light for photography). Without hesitation, I scaled up my ISO such that I could increase the shutter speed of my camera. Thus, I was able to “stop action” this moment. Pretty cool! Oh yeah, I also just like the photograph taken during the “blue hour“.

Eventually the sun came out, and around 8 am I had a fun time watching these fox kits and their mom. It was a great morning! The fox kits were rambunctious, perhaps a bit to crazy for Mrs. Fox!

View this project’s Flickr photo stream. (click upon image to view at full size)

Smelt for Breakfast (blue hour before dawn)

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Morning at the Fox Den

Day 114: Lester River Bird Rise!

May 16, 2014Year 1MN North: Mouth of the Lester Riverrichardhoeg@gmail.com

It was a beautiful, but cool (+39F), sunrise over Lake Superior this morning at the mouth of the Lester River. I now leave the house by 5:15 am and get down to the river by thirty minutes after to catch this kind of light. I think it is well worth effort.

Whether you prefer the “lone bird” photo, or multiple birds, I have a sunrise picture for you!

After the sun was up I found this spotted sandpiper running along the shoreline, and this fox kit warming himself in the early morning sun … a great morning to be alive!