Sea Smoke
The cold weather we have experienced the past ten days is a welcomed change reminding me of what a typical Minnesota winter should feel like. A little more snow would be nice, but this is at least a good start. On Wednesday December 27th as cold temperature records were being shattered across the state, I hiked along the shore at the Head of Lake Pepin. It was at this time, I observed a very interesting natural phenomenon referred to as "sea smoke." It occurs when relatively warm air rising from the river meets frigid air above and condenses into billowing steam or smoke.
Female Northern Cardinal
On Saturday December 23rd, the Audubon Society conducted it's annual Christmas Bird Count in the Red Wing area. The count takes place in a 15 mile diameter circle that has been divided into 8 observation areas. Volunteer birders observe and tally species and numbers within each area. What follows is a list of birds observed in the zone that includes Wacouta.
Canada Goose 95
Trumpeter Swan 1
Mallard 4
Common Goldeneye 1200
Common Merganser 1651
Wild Turkey 1
Bald Eagle 46
Rough-legged Hawk 1
Red-tailed Hawk 5
Rock Pigeon 18
Mourning Dove 17
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 14
Downy Woodpecker 19
Hairy Woodpecker 6
Pileated Woodpecker 7
Northern Shrike 1
Blue Jay 7
American Crow 26
Black-capped Chickadee 55
Tufted Titmouse 6
White-breasted Nuthatch 14
European Starling 189
American Tree Sparrow 5
Dark-eyed Junco 65
Northern Cardinal 12
Rusty Blackbird 1
House Finch 18
American Goldfinch 11
House Sparrow 110
American White Pelican 1
Otter Slide
Another benefit accompanying the cold weather has been the development of good safe ice for x-c skiing on the backwaters of the river. Even though most ski trails in our area lack sufficient snow for good skiing, two inches of snow on the ice makes for very good travelling. Despite the cold conditions on New Years Day, I skied up into the far reaches of Wacouta Bay at the Head of Lake Pepin. Along the way, I encountered considerable fresh otter activity including a slide featured in this photo.
Otter Entrance to Abandoned Beaver Lodge
In my posts during the high water of last spring, I featured a family of beaver residing in one of the largest lodges that I have ever found. To survive through the winter months, the water around the lodge must be deep enough for them to swim to and from their feedpile under the ice. With river levels dropping dramatically this fall, the big lodge was abandoned and a new one was built nearby in deeper water. By following some fresh tracks in the snow, I discovered the abandoned lodge had been taken over by a pair of otter.
New Beaver Lodge and Feedpile
The saying "busy as a beaver" is well founded when you observe the feedpile constructed by this family of beaver in late fall after abandoning their original lodge. The deeper water at the new location will allow them easy access to food all winter long.
Breather Hole in Lodge
One way to confirm beaver living in a lodge is to visit it during very cold weather. The warm moist air from inside the lodge will rise and condense when it encounters cold air or beaver sticks creating ice crystals. These are sometimes referred to as breather holes.
Coyote Tracks and Urine
Fresh snow on top of the new lodge was covered with coyote tracks and urine. Coyotes in southern Minnesota and wolves in the north will regularly check on lodges in the winter and mark territories with urine if the lodge is active. I once visited with a trapper who lived on a remote island on the Canadian side of Lake Saganaga. He had observed where wolves would lie next to an active lodge in the spring waiting for young beaver kits to swim by close to shore. These kits become easy prey at a time of year when food is hard to find for wolves.
Point No Point
Late in the day on New Year's, I took my camera down to Greens Point to try and photograph the super full moon scheduled to rise at 4:40 pm. While waiting for the magic time to arrive, I couldn't help but capture the peacefulness of the moment and area by taking a photo of Frontenac State Park's "Point No Point".
Moonrise Over Lake Pepin
Exactly at 4:40 pm and at a bearing of 61 degrees, the full moon slowly crept above the horizon. Despite the below zero temps and a breeze coming off the lake, this tranquil moment and amazing sight created a humbling feeling.
Super Moon
For those wishing to experience this memorable sight, mark your calendars for January 31st. This full moon will be known as a blue moon given the fact it is the second full moon of the month.