July 4th Fireworks

Another spectacular fireworks show in Grand Portage this year!  There was fog in the bay which added a unique look to the display (and it helped keep the bugs down).  

Tuesday Ride 2018-07-03

I've been doing a fair amount of biking this year but I haven't been posting much about it on my blog.  Decided to change that this week and post some photos from yesterday's ride.  It had rained all morning and the weather was clearing during the ride which meant it was pretty muggy.  The horse/deer flies were also pretty horrible.  But the route is a favorite and rides really well.  As always saw a lot of neat things along the way!

The lesser-traveled roads are my absolute favorite. 

Gravel doesn't get any fresher than this!

Cook County sure has some awesome gravel routes!  So lucky in that regard...

Labrador Tea

Mini Rainbow at Sunset on Lake Superior

Beautiful sunset last night over Lake Superior in Grand Portage, MN.  It had rained most of the day (I had 1 inch of new rainfall in my rain gauge) and as the sun was setting the weather was breaking. It made for some really dramatic clouds and light to finish out the day!

Adult Pileated Woodpecker

Yesterday after photographing the Pileated nest I also got this photo of one of the adults foraging in the forest beneath the tree that the nest is in. Most of the time he was very difficult to see but for a few moments here and there I was able to get a clear shot of him.  I liked this photo and wanted to share it in addition to the photos of the nest.

Pileated Woodpecker babies!

Taken at Grand Portage State Park in northeast Minnesota.  We've been watching this nest for the past few weeks wondering when we would see signs of the babies being born.  Yesterday was the first time we saw them and today I spent some time watching the nest for a while to catch a feeding session and get some good photos.  They sure are crazy looking little birds!

Storm clouds over Grand Portage Bay

We've had some pretty wicked cool clouds pass over lately.  This photo was taken yesterday morning as a storm front moved in over my yard.  

Transformation

Photo of the moon over Trout and Swamp Lakes, taken a week ago today in Grand Portage, MN.  A day of monumental change and the realization that some things are not at all what they seem while simultaneously being reminded that there are things we can always count on without fail.