Tag Archives: MN North: North Shore of Lake Superior

Cold Carnival, Hot Birding!

Year 4,

Yesterday I enjoyed showing some new friends around the Northland. Fabio, Rita and Jon flew to Duluth from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with the hope of escaping the heat and craziness of Carnival while at the same time doing some winter birding. Even though the birding was hot, it was also cold (-8F inland from Lake Superior to start the morning). For the past few days they had made repeated trips up to Sax-Zim Bog at sunrise and sunset. While they had seen lots of cool winter birds, the elusive Gray Ghost of the Forest, the Great Gray Owl had eluded them.

To put it mildly they were more than pleased while visiting “my owling grounds”. On our first birding stop of the morning we found a Great Gray Owl within just a few minutes. Later that morning we found a flock of snow buntings winging their way northward to breed up on the Arctic tundra. Life was good!

While I did not join my new friends birding this morning, I was not surprised to find them on the North Shore a bit after sunrise. Pleasant words were exchanged and then I pointed them towards another Great Gray Owl. I think it was truly a good Carnival!

Here are a few images I took of the Gray Ghost during this morning’s snow squall. The combination of the snow (dark skies) and light wind made for perfect owling conditions. Finally I’ve included some backyard birds from yesterday afternoon. The sun came out for a few hours and some locals made an appearance in my yard!

Gray Guard in a Snow Squall (My first view of the morning … the owl is enforcing a “no trespassing” sign which I would not dream of disobeying!)

Highway Curve and Talons (This owl actually flew from a perch over 100 yards distant and landed less than ten yards from me! It used the sign for almost five minutes as a hunting perch. I did not even breathe!!!)

Great Gray Owl on the Hunt (In the second photo it is not glaring at me. Rather, it has missed its target vole and is intently concentrating. A few seconds later it pounced 5 yards further away in search of its prey)

Backyard Birds (Pileated Woodpecker and Black-Capped Chickadee)

Spending the Weekend at Frostbite Falls!

Year 4

Molly and I were off the grid this past weekend, up at Frostbite Falls next to Minnesota’s northern border with Canada. While we did not find Bullwinkle J. Moose, the area itself did not disappoint. We stayed at Naniboujou Lodge. Our stay was a gift from our middle son and his wife in thanks for our support of their recent union, both financial and otherwise.  This Lodge is near the Canadian border and has a gorgeous spot on Lake Superior. The area is so remote that there is no cell coverage, and Naniboujou prides itself on NOT providing wifi access for their guests. The goals is to unhook, unwind, and relax!

I believe the goal was accomplished. Here are a few photographs I took over the weekend. From a photography vantage point please note how the horizon is not at the center of each photo. With photography, the lines of the photograph which draw the viewer into the image should make themselves evident, but not necessarily the middle. This is often a common mistake of beginning photographers … splitting the picture in half between sky and ground.

Good Morning Minnesota, Good Morning Michigan! I captured the moment of sunrise over the Susie Islands (Minnesota) and Isle Royale (Michigan) on Saturday morning. The Suzie Islands are the eastern most point in Minnesota. The overlook on Mount Josephine allows one to also see Isle Royale National Park in the distance.

Frostbite Falls, Minnesota! Actually, you are looking at the frozen high falls on the Pigeon River. This river is the international border between the USA and Canada.

Sunrise Splash on Unknown Beach, Lake Superior! I just liked this beach and the frozen point in the distance. The time is shortly after sunrise.

Sunrise over Horseshoe Bay! (near Hovland on Lake Superior)

Cree Indian Lodge Ceiling at Naniboujou Lodge