NATURE CLICKS #612 - COMMON LOON

Common Loon, Beers Lake, Maplewood State Park, Minnesota

During our recent trip to Minnesota Common Loons were present on almost every lake we paddled, mostly one pair, sometimes even two. As you can imagine I made a lot of clicks from the kayak, which is a very unpredictable process. Loons hunt for fish under water and you never know where they will show up again after a dive. Quite often it was further away and the process of a slow approach with the boat starts all over again. Well, and sometimes the loons lift their head out of the water right next to the kayak, too close to make a picture with the long lens. The reflections on the water play also a big role how a photo may turn out. With strong reflections from the sky it is easy to underexpose the image. Last but not least, a sky with an overcast will lead to nothing but gray in the picture. Some people may say, leave the camera at home if you aim for birds in flight or on the water during an overcast… However, I was determined to come back with some reasonable photos of the Common Loon and there were a few moments when things worked out well. What I can’t present is the remarkable call of the loon that sounds beautiful and very loud across the lakes, but I’m sure you can google for it if you like to hear it.

NATURE CLICKS #611 - EASTERN PHOEBE

Eastern Phoebe, Maplewood State Park, Minnesota

Eastern Phoebes winter further north than most other flycatchers and they are one of the earliest returning birds after the cold season. Many of the pictures in my library were made in April, some even in the month of March, over the years. Having a pair of phoebes in front of the lens during their breeding time was finally a wonderful experience last month in Maplewood State Park, Minnesota.

I photographed for the first time from a stationary blind, a cabin-like structure above a pond in the woods. While watching the birds on this little lake below the hill was quite interesting, the distance was a bit to long for decent photos. Instead many song birds in the surrounding trees gave me plenty of opportunities for a good shot. The back side of the blind was open and all what I had to do was turning around for the show a pair of Eastern Phoebes gave me during one evening and the next morning. Light, color, and the gestures of these flycatchers made for two great shooting events and it was hard to select a picture for today’s blog post… (I wished I could say that all the time I publish a photo 😉)

NATURE CLICKS #610 - RED-NECKED GREBE (FIRST SIGHTING)

A pair of Red-necked Grebes with two juveniles, Star Lake, Ottertail County, Minnesota

Remember, in my last blog post I mentioned a ”few surprising moments” during our last paddle trip in Minnesota a week ago. Here is the second one. When I came slowly around a bend in the canal between the reeds into a little more open space, I immediately recognized a bird species I had never seen before, a pair of Red-necked Grebes with two juveniles. While some of the clicks I made just a few seconds earlier showed the young one behind the adult on the left, this photo reveals that the chick had jumped onto the back of the parent and took shelter in moms or dads plumage while the family moved out of sight. As you may imagine I was tickled about having a first sighting in such a nice way! Yes, the light was very harsh but having this special moment out in the wild, and in addition a second lifer this year, matters more than a perfect photo to me.

Nikon Z6 III, Nikon NIKKOR Z 600 f/6.3 VR S,    @ 600 mm, 1/1600 s, f/7.1, ISO 400, image slightly cropped

NATURE CLICKS #609 - YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD

Yellow-headed Blackbird, Star Lake, Ottertail County, Minnesota

The last kayak trip of our little Minnesota adventure had some wonderful surprising moments. We wanted to explore a new body of water outside of the state park and paddled Star Lake in Ottertail County, one of the larger lakes around. But size doesn’t matter, the water was crystal clear as at any smaller lake we paddled before. First it was not really exciting because homes and cabins along the lake shore didn’t leave much space for natural habitats. It wasn’t until we went deep into a big field of reeds and cattails on the other side of the bay when the fun of bird watching started. The call of a male Yellow-headed Blackbird is slightly different than the omnipresent Red-winged Blackbird (they were of course present as well) and before we even reached the reeds, we knew they were in there somewhere.

Today’s photo is the result of patience and quite a few paddle maneuvers for a view without too much obstruction by the reeds. It has been a long time that I had this beautiful bird in front of the lens and I was thrilled to see and finally photograph them again.

Nikon Z6 III, Nikon NIKKOR Z 600 f/6.3 VR S,    @ 600 mm, 1/1250 s, f/6.3, ISO 400, image slightly cropped

SEEING THEM IS THE CHALLENGE

Yellow Warbler, Southern Lida Lake, Maplewood State Park, Minnesota

Unfortunately I do not always have enough battery charge on my computer to work on photos and write something for the blog. However, birds, trees, and flowers. are abundant here in Maplewood State Park, Minnesota. We make a kayak trip every day and enjoy this very quiet and beautiful nature place.

We have never heard so many different warblers around our campsite and along the shore of the lakes before. Seeing them is a different story, they know how to hide under the lush canopy of the trees.

This Yellow Warbler was visible for a few seconds and I tried to catch it with the camera from the kayak.

A SYMBOL OF THE NORTHWOODS

Common Loon, Beers Lake, Maplewood State Park, Minnesota

Two fantastic paddle trips are already behind us . We had great opportunities to watch and listen to birds, often in our campsite, were we use the Merlin App to identify them even if we can’t see the birds high up in the canopy of the trees. On the water I’m always thrilled to see the Common Loons, the Minnesota state bird, and we saw them and heard their distinctive calls on almost every lake so far. I have been in Norway, Sweden, and Finland many times and it is easy to understand why so many Scandinavians have settled in Minnesota after they came over to America years ago. The glacier shaped landscapes with thousands of lakes and dense forests are very similar in many parts of the country and the settlers must have felt right at home.

I have been brave despite Beers Lake was a little choppy yesterday and took the camera and long lens with me in the kayak. Well, I forgot to take the teleconverter off but that turned out not to be a bad thing with and 840 mm focal length allowed to fill the frame quite often with the beautiful Common Loons.

Nikon Z6 III, Nikon NIKKOR Z 600 f/6.3 VR S, Nikon Z Teleconverter TC-1.4x…@ 840mm, 1/1250s, f/9, ISO 1000

HIDDEN FALLS

Hidden Falls, Nerstrand Big Woods State Park, Minnesota

Well, it’s my first trip as a ”full-time senior” and we have pitched the tent for a couple nights at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park in south-central Minnesota. Beautiful woods with lots of plants and flowers, some of them even endemic. Yesterday a first hike took us to Hidden Falls, a popular place in the state park. When I go on a hike to a waterfall the tripod is often with me, allowing for a longer exposure and getting this silky look of flowing water coming over the edge of the rocks. An eights of a second at f/18 led to a result I liked. It was actually the light on the lush looking leaves above the waterfall that intrigued me and I just can imagine how nice this may look at a certain times in autumn. Could be a reason to come back here, or not?

Nerstrand Big Woods State Park doesn’t have a lake but we have the kayaks on the roof of the car and hope for some great paddle adventures coming up. Tomorrow we take off to our next destination in northwest Minnesota with many lakes around. I don’t know how much phone reception we may have but I will try to share some impressions with you from time to time, so please stray tuned…

Nikon Z6II, Nikkor Z 24-70, f/4 S, GITZO tripod GT2931 Basalt, KIRK BH-3 ball head,   @ 36mm, 1/8s, f/18, ISO 100

MISSISSIPPI RIVER STORIES 2024 #6 - BACK TO BROWNSVILLE AGAIN

Juvenile Bald Eagle, Mississippi River, Brownsville, Minnesota

It was quite cold during the last nights and as a result the Mississippi River and all the other bodies of water started to freeze over, at least at places without much current. I had planned to go back up north to Brownsville, Minnesota again for the Tundra Swans but was wondering if the swans had taken off towards the Atlantic coast already. They will definitely do, if there is no access to food anymore due to an ice cover. Luckily my concerns were unfounded and this part of the river was not frozen over and several large schools, like the one in the picture below, were still present.

Tundra Swans on the Mississippi River. The main channel of the river is way back behind the islands at the Wisconsin side of the river, but the current of the water was still strong enough here to keep this part without an ice cover last Saturday.

I’m happy to witness this part of the great migration almost every year in November, even if the birds are too far out for a photo. Well, there are other things to look at and the most exciting were a large number of Bald Eagles. It’s always fun to watch how they chase each other after one gets a fish out of the water, drops it, and the game starts all over again. It takes a little patience because most of the hunting happens further away from the overlook, but I had my share of chances with the eagles within shooting range of the camera.

Canada Geese, Brownsville overlook, Mississippi River, Minnesota

I talked about it before already, shooting from an overlook and a bit above the water level leads not always to a desirable photo. However, it’s a good place to be if you have a flock of Canada Geese flying by and they honk at you at eye level. Great day, good times!

All photos: Nikon Z6II, Nikon NIKKOR Z 600 f/6.3 VR S

MISSISSIPPI RIVER STORIES 2024 #5 - TUNDRA SWAN MIGRATION, AND OTHERS

Tundra Swans, Mississippi River, Brownsville, Minnesota

One highlight for bird watchers in November is always the annual tundra swan migration on the Upper Mississippi Valley. Thousands of Tundra Swans make a stop near Brownsville, Minnesota just about 10 miles north of the Iowa border, on their way from the arctic to Chesapeake Bay at the Atlantic Ocean. They rest here before they finish the last 3000 miles to their destination.

I didn’t hold a camera in my hand for a week and was eager to take the two-hour trip up north today. I was a little stunned when only a few hundred swans were present, but the friendly Naturalist who was on site told me that we haven’t seen the peak yet. With other words, most Tundra Swans are still somewhere further north. She had a display table with lots of information about the swan migration, about the food they are looking for, like the starchy bulbs of arrowhead plants, and she answered the questions of many visitors.

Beside the Tundra Swans many other birds rest and feed in pool #8 of the Mississippi River and today’s little gallery can only show a few of them.

Gadwalls

Gadwalls were present in large numbers, probably several thousand, but I saw many other ducks, like American Wigeons, Northern Pintails, Mallards, Northern Shovelers, Ring-necked Ducks, Scaups, and Wood Ducks.

American White Pelicans

A large squadron of American White Pelicans socialized together on one of the islands nearby. They were joined by this group that landed in the water shortly after they made a flyby at the Brownsville overlook.

Trumpeter Swans

Trumpeter Swans can be found among the Tundra Swans. They are slightly larger and adults do not have the yellow spot at the base of their black bill. This family of Trumpeter Swans passed by at the Hwy26 overlook, a mile further south. Their calls are different and make it easy to distinguish between both species.

Northern Shovelers, New Albin, Iowa

This photo was made near New Albin, just at the Iowa-Minnesota border. Northern Shovelers are dabbling ducks and feed predominantly at the surface of the water. These five females had a feast and hardly stopped eating despite my presence. This was shot out of the car window, almost on eye level with the birds. The photos from the overlooks are made from a much higher vantage point and even cropping can’t prevent the not always desirable look of a ”bird from above”.

All photos: Nikon Z6II, Nikon NIKKOR Z 600 f/6.3 VR S, Nikon Z Teleconverter TC-1.4x,

MINNESOTA NORTHWOODS - #9

Sunrise over Lake Shumway, Savanna Portage State Park, Minnesota

I climbed out of the sleeping bag before sunrise and walked over to the lake. A band of clouds covered the rising sun and it became clear I wouldn’t get the light on the lake as I was hoping for. It was very quiet, no noise from any traffic, neither cars nor airplanes, just a deep silence. When the sun came up above the tree line a few gaps in the clouds started to open and suddenly sun spots were reflected on the lake. I knew I had my photo, carrying the mood from this gorgeous and quiet morning.

MINNESOTA NORTHWOODS - #8

North American River Otters, Bear Head Lake, Minnesota

It is not always guaranteed coming back with some decent images from every wildlife shooting adventure but it takes only one good photo to make it a successful trip. For our trip to the Northwoods of Minnesota a couple weeks ago this picture of three River Otters I value the most. Yes, there is a third otter on the log, right behind the one on the left and if you look carefully at this low resolution photo, you may see its nose peeking out from behind.

During our visit at Bear Head Lake State Park in 2019 I saw an otter near our campsite one early morning coming out of the water for a few seconds. The otter looked at me, and jumped right back into the lake. I was able to take a couple shots and of course this time I had high hopes to see another River Otter again. It’s a big lake and looking for an otter feels like searching for a needle in a haystack.

But luck was on our side again this time. On a very windy day we paddled the East Bay of Bear Head Lake since it seemed to be a little less effected by the wind. We had already watched a Great Blue Heron and a number of Common Mergansers while paddling along the shore, when suddenly two otters just appeared in front of my kayak and lifted their upper body out of the water. It looked like they were just checking us out as we paddled slowly into this part of the lake. Joan didn’t see them and I felt bad for her. We waited a few minutes, looked around, and suddenly she discovered three North American River Otters sitting on a dead log. The wind was pushing us towards them and I knew I had only a few seconds to line up the boat, lift the lens, focus, and let the camera rip out a few shots. As we drifted too close all three jumped simultaneously back into the water and were not seen again. The light was a little too harsh for my taste but at least I came back with a handful sharp photos of these interesting and beautiful animals. Moments like that are unforgettable!

Nikon Z6II, Nikon FTZ adapter, Sigma 150-600mm / f5-6.3 DG OS HSM S,   @ 600 mm, 1/5000 s, f/6.3, ISO 1600, image cropped

MINNESOTA NORTHWOODS - #7

Ruffed Grouse, Bear Head Lake State Park, Minnesota

The first morning after we moved from Savanna Portage State Park to Bear Head Lake I went out early to the lake in search for a critter I have seen there before in 2019 (more about this one in a later blog post). The camp sites are nicely separated from each other by thickets consisting of spruce, pine, birch, and other trees. I heard a quiet, hen-like cluck in the bushes and decided just to wait and see what happens, Sure enough, a Ruffed Grouse came out of the thicket and balanced slowly on top of a fallen log towards me. There were about half a dozen more birds but this one posed nicely for about three minutes. Later we found out that they were hanging out in the campground most of the time. Like White-tailed Deer, they figured out that the presence of people is not really a threat to them and a campground is a place that potential predators more likely would avoid.

Since it wasn’t mating time we did not hear the rapid-fire drumming sound of a male, but watching these birds, who blend in with there plumage to their environment so well, was worth to get out of the sleeping bag early.

Nikon Z6II, Nikon FTZ adapter, Sigma 150-600mm / f5-6.3 DG OS HSM S, Induro GIT 404XL tripod, Induro GHB2 gimbal head. @ 600mm, 1/320 s, f/6.3, ISO 2500

MINNESOTA NORTHWOODS - #5

Beaver Pond, Savanna Portage State Park, Minnesota

During a little hike in the afternoon around this pond with the promising name ’Beaver Pond’ we discovered that it had indeed two beaver lodges. North American Beavers are mostly active at night and so I came back later in the evening with tripod and long lens.

I expected to find the pond mostly in the shade already but luckily there was a gap in the trees and the setting sun still illuminated at least part of the pond. The first image was made ten minutes before some action began and you can see that this was an ideal habitat for the largest rodent in North America.

North American Beaver

While waiting and enjoying the warm light suddenly the first beaver just showed up in the middle of the pond, swam a few circles, and slapped its flat tail loud on the water. It was immediately aware of my presence, even if I was quite a bit away on an elevated point above the pond. He swam around and any time the sun hit its face or body I tried to make a few clicks. After the beaver figured out that I was not a threat for him it receded to the other side into the shade and between patches of water plants and started eating.

A little later I discovered a second beaver munching on plants but he light was fading rapidly as soon the sun disappeared behind the horizon.

The larger one of two beaver lodges at the pond. You can tell that this was built already some time ago and may have hosted several generations of North American Beavers. The lodge is plastered with mud and when it freezes during winter it is like concrete. A small hole for air is left on top of the lodge (source: Wikipedia)

MINNESOTA NORTHWOODS - #4

First I like to make clear that today’s photos are not wildlife images. These wolves are part in a pack of five arctic gray wolves, the ’ambassador wolves’ of the International Wolf Center in Ely, Minnesota. This facility has a mission statement on their website I like to point out.

The International Wolf Center advances the survival of wolf populations by teaching about wolves, their relationship to wildlands and the human role in their future.

We had a great visit there last week and learned new things about these very social animals.

We have seen and listened to the howling of wolves in Yellowstone National Park some years ago and that was very emotional for us, even if the wolves were quite a bit away from us. In Ely we had a chance to be very close to these predators, although big glass windows kept us apart from them. Can you tell these photos were all made through a glass window? As a photographer I like to mention that the staff in the wolf center did a fantastic job to keep the glass meticulously clean, so visitors can take pictures with their phones or cameras without much glare in the photo. I made quite a few pictures and tried to keep all human made elements, like fences, building walls, etc. out of the frame.

If you like to learn more about the International Wolf Center in Ely, MN, here is a link to their website: https://wolf.org/ . If you ever get up to northern Minnesota, I highly recommend a visit of this interesting, educational, and fun place.

All images: Nikon Z6II, Nikon FTZ adapter, Nikon Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm