BEARS AND BIRDS

 TUESDAY, JUNE 22nd:

This morning we were off to view and photograph Vermillion Falls. The water cascades through a 10 foot wide gorge as the river heads for Crane Lake.

I enjoyed the view of the Falls as well photographing it with various shutter speeds, and framing.

Afterwards we headed back to the house for breakfast. Then we were off cruising Crane Lake for more opportunities of photographing the birds that use the lake:

Loons with chicks -

Herring Gull chicks - 

A Bald Eagle -

In the afternoon we went to the bears and shared the experience with the general crowd from the viewing platform.

Wednesday, June 23rd:

Once again we were off to see the bears in the morning. We started an hour earlier as it was quite hot yesterday and the forecast for today was more of the same. Every day you experience different activities by the bears. This is due in part because we do not see the same bears every day.

Bears cubs in the trees are always fun to see though they are a long way away, and sometimes the angles are not conducive to good photography, but then it again it might work out.

We again shared the area with National Geographic photographers. In the morning when we are the only ones there, you can go down onto the ground and get eye level photographs. You can get quite close as you can see. As long as you move slowly, and do not look the bear in the eye you are relatively safe. They are used to having people there with them. There is no direct interaction between the bears and the people.

Sometimes you can be distracted from the bears to photograph other wildlife ---

Milbert's Tortoise Shell Butterfly 

    Red Spotted Admiral Butterfly

Doing What Comes Naturally

Bear exercises -

Stretching The Hamstrings?

    A Little Yoga? Dancing?

Some big bears --

As you can see they come in all different sizes and colors, but they are all black bears, Ursus americanus.

In the afternoon we again went out onto the lake in search of birds mostly. Our reward was common mergansers with chicks. As it was quite windy and the lake water choppy we saw few loons.

The mergansers had large families --

This loon was bobbing around in the lake.

This evening we enjoyed dinner at our lake home prepared by Connie, Cathy, and Scott. It was very relaxing and enjoyable. The hosts of the Norway Lodge, Sarah and Paul joined us. Paul shared with us his collection of artifacts he has collected over the years - arrow heads, stone tools, etc. It was quite interesting. Paul has been our boating guide and has done an outstanding job.

Thursday, June 24th:

This was our last day for photography. We spent the morning with the bears at the Vince Shute Bear sanctuary. Again there were cubs in the trees, sometimes highlighted by bits of sunlight.

A dozing bear - 

A couple of bears sparing - 

A big bear - 

and one more up in a tree - 

Tonight we went to Nelson Lodge for dinner. It sits at the lake edge, 

and we enjoyed the sunset view. Once again I enjoyed a walleye dinner, this time accompanied with a Negra Modelo cerveza.

Friday, June 25:

 Today was a travel day for all. Most of the group had driven to Minnesota from the Illinois/Iowa area.

Susan and Julie had come from the Chicago area. I was the only one to fly. The return trip, for me, was about four hours of driving, followed by six hours at the Minneapolis Airport before boarding a plane for my flight to San Diego.

While at the airport I found a relatively quiet corner to sit in. There I started the process of editing my photographs.

The flight home went smoothly, but there was a very slow delivery of the checked luggage. Once home I enjoyed a crab sandwich before a shower and bed.

It was great to get out with photography as the main purpose. We had very good weather and great Photo ops. Returning to the various locales made for great opportunities. As a result I think I did well by

the trip.

Hope that this finds you all well, and that the Covid Virus is getting more and more under control in all areas.