After Molly had her “Swim With the Loons” two mornings ago, I doubted whether Northstar Lake would have anything equally exciting for me yesterday morning. However, one should never doubt nature. After HUGE thunderstorms blew through the night previously with over 3 inches of rain and downed trees, the sun finally came out at 9 am. I decided upon a pontoon boat ride to check out my local eagles. I have been surprised that the one eaglet present had not yet fledged.

I think Mom Bald Eagle was tired of waiting for her offspring to fly, and yesterday morning was the big event. I was actually surprised to see how well and often the Bald Eagle chick flew on its first morning. After all, it was only a few months ago I watched Hoot, my Great Horned Owl chick make its first short and very brief flights. It was quite apparent that eagles are made for soaring and gliding, whereas owls are not! The parent eagle would glide by the youngster … making sure to caught its attention, but then land 200 yards distant. If the kid wanted food, it had to move / fly.

The other surprise of the morning was watching one of the Bald Eagle parents dry its feathers in the sun (remember … 3+ inches of rain). While I have often watched cormorants dry their feathers after fishing, I had never seen an eagle strike up the same pose!

Bald Eagle Chick (just after its first flight … begging for some food in the first image)

Drying Feathers!

Bald Eagle Back in the Nest Tree

In Spain they have their annual festival that begins the bullfighting season, and includes the famous “Running With the Bulls”. Here is northern Minnesota we have a similar event, perhaps not as famous, “Swimming With the Loons!”

For the past 30 years (the time we have owned our small Northwoods cabin), we have always had a pair of loons who nest near our property. This year was no different. Northstar Lake has a huge population of Common Loons, which are very territorial. Many mornings when Molly takes a swim our friends swim over to greet her. This morning was no different.

Unfortunately our own pair of loons seemed to have lost their chicks this year (not true with all the other nearby loon families). When the chicks are present and still young, our loon couple lets Molly know her presence is not desired. It is THEIR lake. She adjusts her swim. This year everyone is getting along just fine!

Swimming with the Loons on NorthStar Lake

One of our Loons … yesterday evening

The sunset view from our dock … yesterday evening

Molly and I are “Up North” which may sound odd to folks who know we live at the edge of Duluth, Minnesota. After all, isn’t that already way north compared to anyone else in America? However, we own a little bit of heaven deep in the Chippewa National Forest … a small Northwoods cabin on federal leased land.

One of my primary tasks this week has been to work upon an old boat trailer which would then allow us to visit area lakes with our 12 foot Lund. I completed my work and playtime has now begun. Two days ago we boated over to the Joyce Estate on Trout Lake. Here is where the term “slow boating” comes into play. My engine is only 3 & 1/2 horsepower. Thus, we plan our excursions only given good weather forecasts. If storms or strong winds are forecast we stay land bound. Both Trout Lake and Lake Wabana are large (35 miles of shoreline with large open areas where large waves form).

Back in 1985, this then young married couple took our very first even week long vacation. We rented a small white cabin which my own family had rented when I was a child in the 1960’s. When we approached that September evening almost 40 years ago I was worried … would Molly like the cabin? … would the cabin live up to my childhood memories? All the answers were yes as a glorious sunset greeted us that long ago evening. For Molly and I some of our best memories will always be on Lake Wabana. Back in the old days we only had a 1940’s vintage SeaKing 1 & 1/2 horsepower engine. Slow boating with two toddlers (soon to be three) was an even slower experience!

As I mentioned earlier in this post, our first excursion two days ago was to the Joyce Estate. Unlike my bride who had to be happy with a small rented cabin, the Joyces were a lumber baron family from Chicago. They built a amazing retreat deep in the woods which included an entire 3000+ acre lake (Trout Lake), other remote lakes and thousands of acres. The Joyces had many “Lincoln Log” cabins and lodges. Molly has a great post on her blog about our Return to the Joyce Estate. The forest service has restored some of the cabins. The estate may only be reached by boat or a long hike (no road access).

This morning we took a different route from one of Wabana’s two boat launches to Bluewater Lake. This lake is aptly named. The water is a deeper blue than I have ever seen in northern Minnesota. Another notable fact is Winnie the Pooh once went swimming in Bluewater Lake! (my two year old dropped his stuffed bear … safely rescued by Dad). I will now tell the rest of this story with images … although images are not needed for me as the morning boat ride is imprinted in my brain … we were slow boating.

The Bluewater Lake Bridge

Our first ever vacation … we rented both cabins at times, but loved the White Cabin which is partially blocked in this view.

Slow Boating need not mean Slow Birding! I was amazed when a small flock of female Goldeneyes popped up along side our Slow Boating Lund. Normally wild ducks, and particularity Goldeneyes spook very easily. These birds were never more than 20 yards away from us till I turned my boat away.

Goldeneyes of Lake Wabana

One final image … I’m still taking a daily bike ride. This neat spot is one mile from my cabin … Caribou Lake Bicycling Black Eyed Susans.