Tag Archives: MN North: NorthStar Lake Region

Nature’s App Notifications

Two nights ago I was up at our cabin on Northstar Lake, which is 30 miles north of Grand Rapids, and 100 miles northwest of Duluth. I have Nature 2.0 installed in my brain! What, not an Android or Apple app?! Nope, but my app is even better, and includes notifications which may NOT be turned off. Do you pay attention to nature’s notifications?

About 1:30 am in the morning all the loons on the lake started yodeling. I know from experience that when the loons yodel during the wee hours of the morning, a good northern lights display is often in process. Thus, even though the temperature fell to 41F that night, I threw on a heavy sweater over my pajama tops and walked down to the dock. The loons were correct. While I have seen much better Aurora Borealis displays, it was worth the short walk.

The next morning I found this Common Loon Mom and her nest. It will be fun to see her young. The nest is only 250 yards from our dock.

Pine Island State Forest Fox Kits

At 6:50 am this morning I was introduced to the Pine Island State Forest red fox family. Mom fox watched me for a while, and then decided the big blue machine (my Subaru) on the dirt road was harmless, and she left for the morning hunt. The kits were curious, and often came out from their den area and walked within 5 feet of the car. This magical experience went on for almost 30 minutes. Experiences like this one in the deep boreal forest are why I keep going out day after day. They’re magical.

Mom Red Fox Checking Me Over

Peak-A-Boo Kit!

Taking a Break (after eating daisies!)

Returning to my cabin, Molly and I went out for a pontoon ride. Only 200 yards from our dock, I discovered the Common Loons had moved in next door!

Common Loon on Nest

Finally, the Showy Lady Slippers are blossoming, but I estimate still 5 to 7 days away from peak displays. I have a stretch of road near my cabin where while bike riding I now see thousands & thousands of daisies. and the number of Lady Slippers is easily at least one thousand. There is color in the woods for those that choose to go see it!

Cabin Summer Memories!

Ignoring the fact it was 39F at sunrise yesterday, another cabin summer has started at Northstar Lake. This small 3 season cabin has 32 years of family memories … from July 4th pontoon boat polka cruises (Molly and I play our accordions) to hiking a mile into the cabin at night while the temperature is only 10F (no road access in winter … running water is me hiking/running out onto the lake and drilling a hole to get water … manual ice auger).

Yesterday morning this was the view from our bedroom at 4:45 am. Yup, the place is magical!

This year the big move was to replace the 67 year old GE refrigerator (I’m 66 years old). Our new fridge will actually keep ice cream frozen! Goodbye old friend (the range is also being replaced).

This morning I was out shortly after sunrise getting reacquainted with our lakes Common Loons. In my mind, they are not common at all!

Our lilac tree seems to have the only blossoms for miles around … appreciated by all the bees and butterflies.

Cabin pics from years past …