Oct. 3, 2021 - North Shore - 1

Last week Diana and I took our annual visit to the North Shore of Lake Superior. We like to go at this time of the year so we can see the brilliant fall colors.

We decided to take the tram ride at Lutsen Mountains. It’s about an eight-minute ride to the top of Moose Mountain. Along the way, you are traveling above the treetops, so you get an overview of the red, orange, and yellow leaves from the surrounding area. But the best view, as in this photo, is from the observation deck when you get off the tram ride.

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Minnesota has been so dry this summer, and there were predictions that fall colors would be disappointing. But, at least from the observation deck at Moose Mountain, the colors were spectacular.

FallColorsLutsenMountainCookCounty20210921

I like fall color photos that include not only the beautiful colors from the deciduous trees, but also a smattering of green from the evergreens.

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We stayed at Fenstad’s Resort where we had several good looks at a couple of Ruffed Grouse.

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A plant called Butter and Eggs was blooming in many places along the shore. This photo was taken at Taconite Harbor.

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I like to drive along some of the back roads looking for birds. This Ruby-crowned Kinglet was one of many I saw along the East General Grade Road. Notice the yellow feet.

KingletRubycrownedEastGeneralGradeRoadLakeCounty20210922

I usually take photos of moths at night when they are attracted to a light. But this White-lined Sphinx Moth was out during the middle of the day. It was perched on the outside wall at the Northwoods Pioneer Gallery and Gifts store along Highway 61.

MothSphinxWhitelinedHyleslineataNorthwoodsPioneerstoreLakeCounty20210920