April 18, 2021 - Metro Area Birds

Last week we were at our apartment in the northern suburbs of St. Paul, MN. One morning I decided to drive around the area to see if I could get some bird photos. Very shortly I saw this Sandhill Crane in a field near us.

CraneSandhillAnokaCounty20210413

I know that Sandhill Cranes are passing through on their migration route, but I’m hoping at least a few of them will stick around and nest in our area. I would love to get a chance to photograph some baby cranes.

CraneSandhillAnokaCounty20210413

A short distance away I found another Sandhill Crane in a different field.

CraneSandhillAnokaCounty20210413

After visiting several other spots, I stopped at Lake Josephine in Roseville. I was pleasantly surprised to see a juvenile Bald Eagle sitting on a stump right near the shore.

EagleBaldjuvenileLakeJosephineRosevilleRamseyCounty20210413

It takes several years for a Bald Eagle to get its adult plumage (brown body with white head and tail). Based on the amount of white on the body and wings of this bird, I would guess it is a second-year bird.

EagleBaldjuvenilelandingLakeJosephineRosevilleRamseyCounty20210413

Several times the Eagle jumped up into the air and landed again, giving me some nice flight shots.

EagleBaldjuvenilelandingLakeJosephineRosevilleRamseyCounty20210413

I was on my way home, driving on Otter Lake Road, when I spotted this Great Egret wading in a shallow pond.

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When I arrived home, there were several American Robins on the lawn. They were looking around for insects and worms. Many people use their first Robin sighting of the year as a sign of spring. That may have to change, because now there are Robins that stay in Minnesota all winter.

RobinAmericanWaverlyGardensNorthOaksRamseyCounty20210413