Grand Marais Moonrise 001

There was another beautiful moonrise over the Grand Marais harbor this week. Just enough clouds to make the moon a bright yellow and add color to the sky.

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I was fortunate to capture the moon as it passed behind the Grand Marais Light.

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Drumming Ruffed Grouse 001

The ruffed grouse have started their spring drumming ritual.

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Drumming Ruffed Grouse 002

At this time of year in just about anywhere in the woods the male ruffed grouse can be heard drumming. This grouse uses a log in the Grand Marais campground.

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Drumming Ruffed Grouse 003

I haven’t seen him lately as several people walk their dogs and break the rules by letting them off the leash when they get further into the woods. One woman told her dog “Now that we are in the woods I can take your leash off”. I told her, “Wait I am over here taking photos of a ruffed grouse”. She didn’t stop and the dog attacked me growling and nipping at my legs. I thought it was going to bite me. Needless to say the grouse was gone before she got her dog under control.

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Drumming Ruffed Grouse 004

Ruffed grouse have such interesting feather patterns. When their tails are fanned and they start to drum all the intricate details in the features can be seen.

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Wood Duck 001

Now that the woods and grasses have greened up it has given a whole new background to the wood duck photos.

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Wood Duck 002

The woodies are still frequenting our pond and presenting some great photo opportunities.

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Wood Duck 003

The colors in their feathers really glow under the golden light of early morning.

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Wood Duck 004

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