Tag Archives: MN North: Two Harbors

St. Louis River Mudflats

Year 5

I spent a lot of time this past weekend hiking into a spot where I check for late migrating ducks, and earlier arriving shorebirds. This was my first trip of the spring and I was thrilled to discover the water level was down slightly which has resulted in some nice mud flats. While I saw a reasonable number of Greater Yellowlegs, it was obvious the shorebird migration up to the Arctic with stops near Lake Superior has not started in earnest yet.

Although my primary target was shorebirds, I was thrilled when shortly after sunrise I was able to get close to two of my more favorite ducks. The first was Northern Shovelers, which although some might claim look a bit dorky, I like. The other duck was Green Winged Teal. Due to a large dirt mound, and a rising sun directly behind me, I was able to get closer than normal to these two spooky birds.

However, when on a follow up hike I tried to get close to a small flock of Bonapart Gulls, I failed miserably. In this second instance I had little cover, and the birds quickly became aware of me. Finally, it was nice to do these hikes in weather that allowed for shorts and a t-shirt. Prior to this weekend, northeasterly winds had made it difficult to get out on the low 40’s near the big lake.

Greater Yellowlegs

My Favorite Ducks … Together!

A Green Tealed Quack

Swimming Shoveler

Transitions: Deserts to Ice Flows

Year 5,

Molly and I have arrived back in the Northland from Tucson. An attitude adjustment due to Duluth’s cold weather might seem to be required, but I actually am thrilled to be back to Lake Superior.

Sunrise is now much earlier, 6:38 am. As my credo is to get going with the sun, or earlier, my wake-up times are moving towards 5 am. This morning, I wanted to take a bicycle ride up the shore before the forecast winds reached 30 mph. Biking into that kind of a head wind aside from being cold, is real hard work. Thus, with only 15 mph winds I biked up to McQuade Harbor … 38 minutes to McQuade … 22 minutes back with the tailwind!

Although there is over two feet of snow on the ground, the early migrants are working there way along the shores of Lake Superior … Bald Eagles, Crows, Gulls, Mergansers and Ravens. These hardy birds push hard to be the first returnees to the Boreal Forest. Here are a few images taken over the past two days.

Ice Flow Gulls

First Active Bald Eagle Nest on the Duluth Waterfront

Darth Vader Bird

Deep Freeze Birding

Year 4,

Since Christmas a warm morning has been -5F, with many days ranging down to -20F. In short, these mornings have demanded I get outside! I will admit my hikes away from the car are short, rarely exceeding 20 minutes, and I pay strict attention to the wind velocity and direction.

Yesterday morning was relatively warm, -8F plus wind for a chill factor of -22F. In short, it was perfect weather to stand on a wind swept Lake Superior beach for 20 minutes in search of the “perfect photo” . My goal was to catch the local USCG Cutter Alder as it entered the harbor through the Sea Smoke at the Superior Entry!

Later in the day I drove over to Two Harbors, Minnesota and took a hike out Lighthouse Point. Upon returning this scene presented itself to me … “ice fishing”!

Two mornings ago I had a blast taking a mom and her eleven year old son over to Sax-Zim Bog. The young man loves birding, owls, and my blog. Great kid, huh?!

When I picked them up at 6:30 I asked the young lad what he wanted to see. Owls is the response! I think … no guarantee, but I am reasonably confident … then the boy continues … a Boreal Owl! Uff dah! No way, politely says I! We succeeded by most accounts … five Great Gray Owls and a Northern Hawk Owl, but no Boreal! Here are two images from that outing. (I had driven over the afternoon before to scout and insure the birding expedition would be a success)