Border Country

Our daughter and granddaughter were still visiting this week so we took a short day trip by canoe to a lake off the Gunflint Trail.

CanoeingBorderCountry

Dead Moose

I wanted to show our granddaughter a moose but not the one we encountered. Karla spotted what we thought was a rock near the shore in a back bay. As we paddled closer, the swarms of flies gave a clue to the harsh reality. Luckily, we were on the up-wind side and didn’t encounter any of the smell. Moose have been dying over the last few years and researchers don’t have any answers as to why this is happening.

DeadMoose

Gunflint Trail

GunflintTrail

Loon Nest 001

Shortly, the male loon swam right over to the nest and climbed up.

LoonNest001

Loon Nest 002

LoonNest002

Loon Nest 003

Right in front of us, he turned the eggs and settled down for his turn at keeping the eggs warm.

LoonNest003

Loon Nest 004

Being that this was Addie’s first loon encounter, I think it will be one of the best she will ever have.

LoonNest004

Loon Nest 005

Not too many three year olds get an experience like this wilderness lake offered her.

Loonnest005

Loons 002

As we rounded a corner on an island a second loon showed up. At this point I knew there must be a nest close by. I was surprised at the size difference between the male and female. Usually the male is somewhat larger but in this case he looked twice the size of the female.

Loons001

Loon 001

About a mile into our trip we encountered a very friendly loon. It swam right up to our canoe giving all of us some great views. If you look close you can see the insects flying around its head. There is also one in the loons mouth as he was eating them when they came close.

Loons002