Tag Archives: MN North: Two Harbors Highlands

Sunday Night at the Movies … Minnesota Style

Year 10, ,

How many of you remember the days before one could even rent VCR tapes? In my youth during the early 1960’s this meant gathering around the TV as a family to watch “Sunday Night at the Movies”! Everyone hoped the two networks (CBS and NBC) had picked a film the entire family would love. Here in Duluth we had only two TV stations (ABC was still somewhere off in the future). Heck, our city at the time did not even have a McDonalds.

Thus, I bring you 365 Days of Birds at the Movies … on Sunday night (at least that is when I am blogging). (Image courtesy of FreePik.com)

Here is a short YouTube clip of the NBC Sunday Night Marquee Opener from the early 1970’s (video link for email subscribers).

Here are my movies, which started with an unexpected session the North Shore Duluth Scenic Railroad’s Steam Engine! I was hiking / birding in the woods near my home yesterday afternoon when I thought: “Is that a steam engine whistle?” Yup! The North Shore Scenic Railroad was out testing #332. The train was over three miles away from me when I first heard it. I upped my hiking pace … hurried home … and went to find a steam engine one mile away from my house!

And Now the Movies! (all videos taken during the last seven days)

North Shore Scenic Railroad Steam Engine #332 (video link for email subscribers)

Ring-Necked Pheasant near Sax-Zim Bog (video link for email subscribers)

Steam at Sunrise over Lake Superior (video link for email subscribers)

Snow Buntings Herald the start of Winter

Year 10,

Most folks think winter starts on December 21st. People who pay attention to the “meteorological calendar” might say December 1st, but individuals who live in northern Minnesota would be excused if they said about November 1st! Yesterday I was wearing shorts for a hike in the woods (47F and some sun), but today required a heavy jacket gloves and pants. Future weather forecasts have lows in the mid 20’s, and highs in the mid 30’s.

The blast of cold weather with strong NW winds, and even a sprinkling of snow on the ground brought snow buntings south with a vengeance. The number of these small birds hanging around is amazing … from flocks to well over 300 birds to just a few. By the time the snow buntings reach northern Minnesota from their summer homes in the Arctic, they have significantly less white plumage. Hopefully I will see some late this winter on their way back north. They are little white puffballs. When I see snow buntings I know that this season’s migration is over in terms of birds which “pass through”. The only remaining birds to now arrive are those Arctic birds which will winter on the Arctic Riviera (Duluth area)

Anyhow … some pics of buntings from the last two days

Some unexpected sunshine yesterday afternoon

This morning with snow on the ground.

Birding the Greenwood Forest Fire Region (2 years post fire)

Year 10, ,

Two years ago there was a HUGE forest fire 40 miles north of Two Harbors. While it will take a long time for the pines to grow back, nature is already beginning to recover. Wednesday I drove up Lake County #2 to the McDougal Lake area, which was ground central in terms of the burn area. It was amazing to drive the back roads and see the amount of greenery that has reappeared.  While I did not find any moose, I am certain these majestic creatures are enjoying feasting on the new growth. Last month I did spy a bull moose just south of the burn area. It is also apparent that Black-Backed Woodpeckers have now very much moved into the area judging by the amount of bark stripped off burned trees. My hope is this fall will see Northern Hawk Owls establish a presence in the burn area. They are another bird which loves this burned over habitat.

My favorite sighting of the excursion was this Ruffed Grouse totally mixed up as to the season. Although he was courting his lady love, now is NOT the time to start a family (do we males wen it comes to love ever pay attention to the rules!!?)

I saw quite a few Red-Tailed Hawks hunting in the wildfire area.

Earlier in the morning I stopped to take a sunrise photograph of the Langley River. If you’re interested in seeing this river during the other seasons, browse to this post.

On the way home I birded Two Harbors to Duluth along Scenic 61. Bluebirds and Horned Larks were very much present and migrating. Guess what the bluebirds were using for bug hunting perches?!