Raccoon Kits Climbing Lessons (videos)

Year 13

Friday night there was excitement around the house. Just before sunset Momma Raccon decided that her youngsters … the kits / cubs … needed some climbing lessons. For the past few days the baby raccoons have been frequently staring out  of the main cavity in the tall white pine only 15 yards from our living room’s window seat. Based upon footage from my numerous trailcams mounted in the yard, it is obvious the youngsters have not been out of the tree and down to the ground. Momma Raccoon decided it was time for climbing lessons! She would enter via the main cavity hole … push one of the four kits up to the top hole, and then “help” that cub “learn” to climb down to the bottom cavity hole. Momma Raccoon would grab each youngster in her mouth and then the excitement began.

In my two videos you will here the glee as my own grandkids (nine in total) enjoy the evening’s entertainment. The climbing lesson lasted for over 30 minutes!

Momma Raccoon looks out of the white pine to see if all is safe.

The cubs/kits make their appearances at the main cavity hole

Fighting for Mom’s Attention!

Mom looks down from above

Climbing down lessons!

The Raccoon Kits at the Cavity Hole! (video link for email subscribers)

Climbing Lessons … Hang On for Dear Life! (video link for email subscribers)

Greenwood Creek Nature Conservancy Wilderness by Drone

Year 13

Yesterday , in addition to taking a “drone tour” of the Langley River, I continued the 12 additional miles inland from Lake Superior via Lake County 2 / US Forest Road #15 to the Greenwood Creek boreal forest and bog. Only a few hundred yards from the creek crossing on Hwy 2 are the public bird feeders I maintain year round. While I love hiking USFS #813, I have wanted to explore in more depth Greenwood Creek. The region is part of the much larger Nature Conservancy Sand Lake / 7 Beavers Wilderness Area.

It was a special morning … bright sun with minimal wind but only 35F shortly after sunrise on June 19th! Here are a few still images of Greenwood Creek followed by the tour by drone (note: I never use my drone for wildlife photography)

And of course, this would not be a “birding blog” if I did not post some bird images. This Broad-Winged Hawk was hunting not to far from the creek. I assume it has newly hatched young in its nest. Thus, the hawk is a busy predator.

Langley River Gems (2 Days of Beauty)

Year 13

Over the past two days I have immensely enjoyed the Langley River which is in the Minnesota’s Superior National Forest and reached via Lake County #2 / US Forest Road #15. I always pause at Langley River while heading up to Greenwood (only 12 miles distant), and see what gems are being offered. See this prior post for “four seasons images” of Langley River including moonset.

Yesterday I found two bald eagles which were standing in the shallows of the river having just made a kill. The juxtaposition of the eagles essentially in the water with flowing pads and spring greens was a new experience for me.

Langley River Bald Eagle

This morning I went back shortly after sunrise to conduct some drone flights of the river. While I never use drones for wildlife photography, these cameras provide me the unique perspective to explore wilderness streams and rivers.

Langley River by Drone

And finally the promised Tour of Langley River by Drone (video link for blog email subscribers)