American Bittern 001

I saw a pair of American Bittern in a pond not far from Grand Marais. Bittern are pretty common but elusive. When they are standing in cattails they become camouflaged and hard to see

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American Bittern 002

If I wouldn’t have been looking closely I could have easily overlooked them.

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American Bittern 003

They will freeze in a stretched position with their head pointed up. You can hardly see the bittern in this photo. It looks almost like another cattail.

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American Bittern 004

The second one landed in a tree and was easier to spot.

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American Bittern 005

As the one moved out of the cattails I was able to get a good look at the beautiful markings on its feathers. They look so different when not stretched out. Their call is very unusual. Kind of like pumping of water through a culvert. You wouldn’t even think a bird could make a sound like that. If you have never heard it I would suggest going to the internet and listening to this unique call.

When I was a kid we used to have a pair that nested in a swamp not far from our barn. In the spring I would listen to their call most evenings after milking the cows.

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Young Mink

While hiking out to Artist Point in Grand Marais we saw a mom and four baby mink. They were swimming between the Coast Guard Station and the break wall. The ducks weren’t very happy with them and swam towards them separating two of the babies. I was able to photograph them as they came back towards the water. They didn’t notice me as they were content on watching the ducks.

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Whitetail Deer 001

We have seen several fawns this year while driving into town. This doe was trying to cross the road but the fawn ran back.

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Whitetail Deer 002

She crossed over to get the fawn and then they both made it across together.

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Whitetail Fawn 001

I was glad they didn’t get hit as traffic was heavy.

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Whitetail Fawn 002

I got a nice closeup as the fawn looked back at me.

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