My local bald eagles … yesterday morning just after sunrise on Stony Point. Momma eagle was just arriving. They often perch together on the tallest white pine. While lots of eagles migrate through the area, we also have resident birds which stay year next to Lake Superior. (a few folks are waiting and want to read my Greenwood Forest Fire Burning Area Post … don’t worry … it’s coming!)

Waiting for one’s mate

Screaming a greeting

The arrival

I had time for a quick bird before church yesterday morning, and I focused upon the North Shore near my home. Remember I said October is “big bird month” for migration through the Duluth area? While these two could be resident eagles, in the 12 miles between my home and Stony Point I saw six eagles. That section of shore definitely does not support that many eagles. Thus, some has to be migrants. However I am thinking this pair must be our locals. They issued a strong protect when some other eagles overflew the area.

Believe it or not the winds are down this morning … only 35 mph and out of the west on Lake Superior. Ships had been hiding in the Duluth Harbor from the strong 60+ mph NE winds and ice buildup the waves might cause. In very short order I saw three “Lakers” heading down lake. (the photo location is about 13 miles up the shore from Duluth’s Canal Park)

The sun also returned, but the birding is still horrible given the very strong winds. The chill factor this morning must be below zero. However, within a few days spring is rumored to arrive in the Northland with temperatures soaring into the 50’s with strong winds out of the south (bringing migrating birds??). The North Shore waterfalls will be intense given both the depth of the snow back in the woods combined with an extremely fast melt which will start (video link for email subscribers … this morning’s ore boat)