Grand Marais Overlook

This week we had friends visiting from Florida. One day we spent exploring the Gunflint Trail. The Gunflint starts in Grand Marais and the first view back on the town is pretty impressive.

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Caribou Rock Overlook 001

About mid-trail we hiked up to Caribou Rock, which is adjacent to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Caribou Rock provides a great view of West Bearskin Lake.

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Our granddaughter is still visiting us so she had another great outdoor adventure.

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Loon

We didn’t see any moose but this loon but on a nice display.

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Whitetail Fawn 001

We also found a whitetail fawn.

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Saw-whet Owlet 001

While checking out the saw-whet owl nesting cavity we discovered that the babies were almost full-grown. Addie was pretty excited to see the babies.

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She watched for some time and said it was the best part of her day.

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She named this one Olivia.

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The babies look quite different from the adults with their orange chest feathers. Four babies fledged from the nest. We saw three one day and one the second day.

This one posed for a nice photo. They have the instinct to hide next to the tree trunk to avoid being seen by predators.

Notice the length of their talons. This owl is only about 4 inches high.

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Pink Lady's-Slippers 001

One day we hiked the Cascade River trail in Cascade River State Park. The pink lady’s-slippers are in full bloom.

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Pink Lady's-Slippers 002

With all the rain we received, they are the best color I have seen in years.

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Pink Lady's-Slippers 003

Pink lady’s-slippers are cleverly designed with two doors. Bees enter the front door but can’t go out that way due to hairs that point down and a lip.

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Pink Lady's-Slippers 004

They exit the back door on top, which allows pollination to take place.

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