Tag Archives: MN North: Two Harbors

Ice Berries for Breakfast!

Year 5,

Depending upon where one was relative to Lake Superior this morning, it was between 5 and 10F at sunrise. One rare occurrence at sunrise this morning was I could actually see the sun. However, given the cold temperatures the morning feed was slightly delayed as many birds decided to wait for some solar warmth. I could have stayed home a bit longer.

A stop at my favorite set of pygmy crab apple trees in Two Harbors yielded a huge number of pine grosbeaks, which only increased as the temperature rose through the teens. In addition there was one Bohemian Waxwing which was obviously cold. Ice berries were on the menu for all the birds.

Pine Grosbeaks and a Black-Capped Chickadee

Near home this Red-Tailed Hawk got mobbed by some Crows.

Winter Birding

Year 5,

This morning I saw my first two flocks of pine grosbeaks in the Duluth area. The first flock of 20+ birds were migrating through Two Harbors; the second flock was hanging out in Cloverland on Korkki Road. The grosbeaks were using both ash and pygmy crab apple trees for their breakfast.

I have not yet seen any Bohemian Waxwings. Both species will increasingly relate to berries. The best two berry caches about which I know between Duluth and Two Harbors include Pioneer Jct. Road (take McQuade Road to Smith River Road) and the parking lot opposite the two locomotives in Two Harbors. Worth checking both if you are in the area.

On another note, I will NOT be putting out my winter birds feeders on Old Vermilion Trail till after the Minnesota firearms deer hunting season concludes on Sunday, November 18th.

One of this morning’s Pine Grosbeaks

Lake Superior Storm Waves (video)

Year 5,

While Lake Superior may not generate hurricanes, today’s 20 foot waves are still most impressive. From Duluth I traveled up the North Shore to Two Harbors and then Silver Cliffs … and yes … the photographer (me!) definitely got wet taking these photographs. However, I never ventured anywhere near where the actual waves were break. That would have been both stupid and life threatening. According to the Duluth newspaper, I freighter out on Lake Superior measured a wind gust at 86 mph not to far from the location of my Silver Cliff photos. The videos are after the still images.

The Case of the Disappearing Gazebo … Silver Cliffs on Lake Superior

Two Harbor’s Agate Bay Lighthouse

Video #1: Silver Cliffs

Video #2: Two Harbors