Storm on Lake Superior

The North Shore experienced strong northeast winds all day on Tuesday. By late afternoon high waves were pounding the shoreline. After work I decided to drive up to Split Rock and go down to one of my favorite beaches to photograph the waves. I took the trail to the cart-in campground to access the beach. I was surprised to still see large piles of crushed ice along the shore. I was thankful that they were there because I could frame my photos through one of the piles and I could hunker down behind the other one and it deflected the incoming spray so my camera was protected.

I watched and photographed the waves for about an hour. Just as I released the shutter for one photo I saw something drop from the top of the cliff and fly through my field of vision. I was very surprised to see that it was a pair of bald eagles challenging the waves. I have watched herring gulls do this before but never eagles. They would drop in front of the incoming waves and lift over the wave just before it hit the solid rock cliff. They did this about three times before landing on top of the cliff. What would cause them to challenge waves that could flatten them against the cliff if they misjudged their lift? I guess they even have extreme sports in the bird world. Look closely at the photo and you will see one eagle on top of the wave and the second about half way down the cliff dropping in front of the wave.

After photographing the waves I just sat there for awhile to listen to the sounds from the moving beach rock. At this particular beach the waves will lift the smooth worn rocks and drop them with incredible sounds. I talked about this in my Explore Minnesota camping video. If any of you are interested in viewing the video, it is on Minnesota Tourism’s web site exploreminnesota.com Click on Minnesota’s favorites. You will see several photos of people along the top of the screen. About 14 different individuals were recorded talking about some of their favorite spots in Minnesota. I was chosen to represent some of Minnesota’s favorite campgrounds - Ranger Paul’s 10 favorite campgrounds in Minnesota. You can see photos that I have taken of my favorite camping areas or watch the video. The video is only about 5 minutes in length but they did a good job putting it together. The story about the Split Rock beach is on the video.