Oct. 7, 2012 - North Shore Trip – Part 3

In past trips to the North Shore, I’ve had good luck finding and photographing birds at Taconite Harbor. However, this year I saw very few birds there. The early morning light did allow me to get this photo of a Canada Goose.

GooseCanadaTaconiteBay20120915

During the fall, American Robins start to form flocks which eventually migrate to warmer parts of the country. This robin was part of a flock I found along the General Grade Road, a gravel road that intersects with Lake County Road 1 between Isabella and Finland, MN.

RobinAmericanGeneralGradeRoadLakeCounty20120918

This female American Redstart was photographed at the Silver Bay Marina.

RedstartAmericanfemaleSilverBayMarinaNorthShore20120916

Mountain Ash trees seem to flourish along the North Shore. In fall, their red berries provide food for many of the migrating bird species. Flocks of Cedar Waxwings are often found in these trees. This juvenile looks quite different from the adult in the photo I posted a couple of weeks ago. http://www.earlorfphotos.com/Pictures-of-the-Week/2012-Pictures-of-the-Week/9-9-12-Itasca-County-Birds/25264732_gmcwxt#!i=2074922277&k=9kQ4mKf&lb=1&s=A

WaxwingCedarjuvenilePalisadeHeadNorthShore20120916

On a drive along the Temperance River Road, we found this Ruffed Grouse right in the middle of the road. I’m always amused by their behavior. They apparently think their cryptic coloring makes them invisible. We stopped and I took several photos while the grouse moved in slow motion to the side of the road and eventually disappeared into the brush. It must have thought it could sneak away without being seen. Grouse hunting season is open so this bird is lucky that all my shooting is with a camera.

GrouseRuffedTemperanceRiverRoadCookCounty20120920

Here’s a look at the fall colors along the Temperance River Road. They were just hitting the peak of their brilliance.

FallColorsTemperanceRiverRoadCookCounty20120920