Another Beautiful Morning in Crex Meadows

On our way up to Duluth we stopped at Crex Meadows. We heard there were some American White Pelicans on Phantom Lake but when we arrive we could only find one. It looked like it might have an injured wing.

There were plenty of ducks around including quite a few Ring-necked ducks on the various flowages.

We saw quite a few Canada Geese around some of them had Goslings with them others were still on the nest.

We also saw some Pied-billed Grebes on some of the flowages.

There were lots of Trumpeter Swans although we were sad to see that a pair that had been nesting right next to the road was no longer around. The Muskrat house they had been nesting on was gone. No idea what happened. There were some Sandhill Cranes in the same area.

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Local Pond

One evening my wife and I decided to drive down the road to a small pond along the road. Earlier in the day we had seen some Wood Ducks in the pond. They usually show up in the spring before disappearing.

Wood Duck

On the way down we noticed this Sandhill Crane feeding in a field. This is becoming a common sight in Wisconsin.

More Wildflowers from the Red Cedar Trail

Lots of Wildflowers are blooming along the Red Cedar Trail including some invasive species. Another walker was busy pulling up Garlic

Mustard Weed along the Trail but it was a loosing cause.

Garlic Mustard

Creeping Charlie

Common Blue Violet

Ostrich Ferm

Last of the Spring Birds Have Returned

The last of the spring birds have returned to the farm.

Two weeks ago a Rose-breasted Grosbeak turned up at the farm.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak male

This past week my wife saw a Ruby-throated Hummingbird and a Baltimore Oriole. So far there appear to be only a couple of birds.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird male

Baltimore Oriole

Tree Swallows have also returned are are checking out the housing situation. This year I added more bird houses so I hope there will not be fights between the Bluebirds and the swallows.

Tree Swallow

More Flowers along the Red Cedar Trail

The wildflowers are really blooming all along the Red Cedar State Trail.

White Trout Lilly

Marsh Marigold

Swamp Buttercup

Common Blue Violet

Canada Anemone

Bloodroot

WildFlowers Blooming on the Farm

There are a variety of flowers blooming on the farm.

Large-flowered Trillium

Wild Geranium

Common Blue Violet

Recent Sightings at my Bird Feeder

I have a number of birds at my feeders.

White-throated Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

American Goldfinch

American Crow

Waiting for the Fairlift

It was a very cold evening when my wife and I drove down to the Duluth Harbor to watch the Fairlift come in. There were two Great Lakes Towing Co. Tugs the Kentucky and Arkansas waiting for the Fairlift to come under the Lift Bridge. Typically ships arriving and departing from Duluth are carrying taconite, coal or grain. Things are starting to change. This ship is carrying oil equipment destined for Montana.

Duluth Shipping

During a week in Duluth there were other ships that came to or left the harbor. Most of the days it was cold and rainy and the winds were blowing in off of Lake Superior. Ships leaving the harbor were running into some large waves.

Roger Blough

American Mariner

The  American Spirit was putting out a lot of smoke as it headed toward Duluth.

American Spirit

American Century

Wigeon

The Wigeon had been sitting outside the harbor for several days. I hadn’t expected to be able to photograph it but just as were leaving Duluth my wife happened to notice that the ship was on the move.

We raced down to the harbor and she dropped me off so I could get some quick shots. Great Lakes Towing Co.Tug Arkansas was waiting for it as it came under the Lift Bridge.

We followed it as it sailed down the harbor. It stopped at Calumet Marine Terminal to take on fuel.

The Wigeon was the fourth first time ship of the week.