While most of the United States sweltered in an extreme heatwave yesterday on our country’s 250th birthday, here in northern Minnesota on Northstar Lake thunder storms reigned (rained?!) supreme and the temperature never rose above 62F. My Tempest Weather System recorded 1,401 lighting strikes in the immediate area. When the downpours finally ended a bit before 5 pm, I was surprised to hear my local barred owls starting to hoot. It was only 5 pm; sunset would not be for over four hours.

Apparently the Barred Owls wanted to celebrate the July 4th Holiday, or were just happy at being able to dry out. For those who have been subscribers for a time, you may remember I have two pairs of Barred Owls that seem to think my cabin’s property is their territory dividing line (read prior post … the night time owl fight). After BBQ’ing brats for dinner, I went looking for the owls at 6:45 pm. Jackpot! I now present you with America’s Independence Day Barred Owls! Who Cooks for Youuuuu?!

Barred Owl #1

Barred Owl #2

July 4th Birthday Barred Owl … The Movie! (video link for subscribers)

Over the past few days I have been birding MInnesota’s past … Logging Railroads. Two days ago I was up on Toomey-Williams Forest Road which actually is an old logging railroad that was turned into a forest road. As you drive a similar road you will often find ancient railroad ties breaking through the gravel. Well today I kayaked over to Trestle Landing near my cabin on Northstar Lake. I know from experience that Eastern Kingbirds will often nest in the old railroad trestles. This year was no different. Thus, meet the kingbird family of Northstar Lake! Judging by the images and the size of the chicks, these youngsters are quite new to the world.

The Logging Railroad Trestle Habitat

The Eastern Kingbird Nest

Eastern Kingbirds … the Movie! (video link for email subscribers)

It is worth watching one more super cool video … From stump to ship: A 1930 Logging Film (video link for subscribers). While this video documents the logging industry in the State of Maine, the Minnesota Historical Society and the Forest History Center in Grand Rapids have a short video of the last log drive in Minnesota …. on the LIttlefork River. Worth a watch. The Minnesota log drive took place in 1937 not to far from Northstar Lake and shows the unique history of northern Minnesota logging

In many respects this is NOT a fair test, but it is an interesting comparison. The back story is my faithful Canon SX70 “super zoom bridge camera” is no longer reliable … not because the camera is sub-par, but because I have taken tens of thousands of images with the device and it is just plain worn out. The SX70 is no longer in production, and when found “new” costs $1,300+ which I am not willing to pay for an old model camera. However I still like super zoom bridge cameras assuming one uses them in photographic conditions that make their chances of delivering great images a high probability.

With that thought in mind I bought a Nikon Coolpix 950. I purchased a used, mint condition still in the box 950 for $700. Like the SX70, this camera is out of production but one may find brand new 950’s for about $850. Today was my first day using the Nikon.

Early in the morning only an hour after sunrise while on a bike ride during the “golden hour” of photography … thus while in excellent light … I photographer Minnesota’s state flower, the Showy Lady Slipper. I think the camera did a good job.

Later in the morning around 11:00 am in horrible, glaring light I had the chance to go birding. A Ruffed Grouse Mom was very cooperative. She posed in the road and allowed me to take images with both my new Nikon Coolpix 950 and my Sony A6300. Keep in mind the Sony is a much better camera with a significantly better and bigger sensor. I think both cameras delivered! However, bright light is exactly what is needed for Bridge Super Zoom cameras to have success.

Nikon Coolpix 950

Sony A6300

A bit further down the road I came across this Broad-Winged Hawk which had just made a kill. I reached for my Sony A6300 camera first because I know it is much better in challenging light (heavy shade in bright light conditions). The hawk did not wait around to given me a chance to try my new Nikon.