North Shore Morning

Wildersmith on the Gunflint     by     Fred Smith
June 19, 2020    
           
Whereas summer has been edging its way in for several weeks, the season is official as this Gunflint scoop hits the air. Summer Solstice is a happy time for some folks and a bit disconcerting for others at the realization daylight minutes will soon begin diminishing. Whatever the case, there’ll be ninety days of fun and sun.                                                                                                                     

The past few Gunflint days have been quite summer like after a bout of June chill late in week two. While not happening frequently, there have been frosty days in month six. The territory along with most of northern Minnesota experienced a couple mornings of light frost or at least pretty darn close. It was enough to cause serious North Country garden growers to cover up some of their tender sprouts.                                                                                                                                    
 
As the thermometer has been like a yo-yo, the upper Trail has returned to dust bowl conditions. It sure doesn’t take long for the forest to dry out, and we are choking on dusty back country roads. Early days of the new month looked like we were getting out of the semi-arid rut prior to green-up, but the past week could only muster slightly more than a dampening of the rain collection tube in this neighborhood.                                                                                                                            

“Mother earth” meanwhile, must have held on to snow melt under the canopy as the bloom of summer is in full swing. The ground level rainbow is spirited with both perennial natives and some beautiful, but noxious non-native invasives. Although not yet at the peak, uncountable golden blossoms are lining the byway, interspersed with lupine and occasional wild roses, and just think, there’s more to come.                                                                                                                                                

Although the Chik-Wauk Museum Campus facilities are closed, many visitors are walking in to trek the hiking trails. I received a report from a foursome who recently hiked the Blueberry Trail, sharing a colorful experience. I’m told they counted 122 (pink) moccasin flowers and a great number of golden lady slippers. Their exercise had to be a wonderful way to brighten what have been some gloomy moments for peoples of the world, during the past three plus months.                                                                                                                                                                           
While lamaenting the annoyances of our iconic nipping north woods insects in recent weeks, I’ve also observed some pleasant happenings. In recent days, I happened upon a puddling of butterflies, at one of the few damp spots along the Mile O Pine.                                                                                                                     

One occasion was of the Fritillary family and the other was Canadian Swallow Tails. With uncountable thousands of these delicate creatures on the edge of an “insect apocalypse” it is not only intriguing, but also encouraging to see a congregating of these magic members of our ecosystem.                                                                                                                                                                                   

I was in the lake water this past weekend working with a friend to put in the dock and boat lift. At fifty-four degrees, I must say the water temp was a far cry from the high thirties of May 6^th when I set out the wildfire sprinkler system lines. Nevertheless, when waves of the wet stuff splashed over top of my waders, it got my attention.                                                                                                                 

In other matters of water, brief conversations with a couple fishermen, indicate unhappiness with catching of late. I don’t know if it was the same for everyone, but by indications of packed parking lots at lake access points along the Trail, there were a lot of anglers out having a good time. Fishing is always great, but sometimes the catching is not.                        

On a related note about floating craft, it makes me wonder if there is anyone in America who does not own a canoe or kayak. They are uncountable traveling up and down the Trail these days.                                                                                                                                                                                            
 In closing, since the Wildersmith dock is now into the lake, the Smith’s enjoyed the first of many moments last Sunday, mesmerized by the beauty of blue skies, lush green mountain sides and rippling waters. I assume many others in Gunflint territory are doing the same!  Life by the water couldn’t be anymore sparkling! Happy summer!                                                                                                                             

For WTIP, this is Wildersmith, on the Gunflint Trail, where every day seems unrivaled, until the next!
 

Chel Anderson is a botanist and plant ecologist and she joins us periodically to report on what she’s seeing in our woods and waters right now. 

In this edition of "Pack & Paddle" with Scott Oeth, Scott recommends methods of keeping food cool when camping whether you're car camping with your Yeti or heading into the BWCAW.

Jennifer Trowbridge and Sue Hakes were sworn in during a Zoom cremony Monday, June 8 as part of a larger MN AmeriCorps group as AmeriCorps members in service to the Cook County Community YMCA for 10 weeks this summer.
North Shore Morning host Mark Abrahamson talks with Sue Hakes about her work at the Y.
 

Chel Anderson is a botanist and plant ecologist. In this edition of North Woods Naturalist, Chel talks about the many happenings in our woods and waters as we head into the summer season.

Cook County Community YMCA Branch Executive Director Emily Marshall explains what services are coming back on line at the "Y".

Wildersmith on the Gunflint     by     Fred Smith
June 12, 2020    
           
Wrapping up week two of June finds the wildland of border country settling into early summer in a sea of green. The countless shades of green are just amazing. “Mother Nature” must have chlorophyll of all hues in her veins.

Weather in the territory has been pleasantly refreshing with some natural air conditioning. Last Sunday was even more than cool as another load of firewood was consumed by the wood-burning stove taking the chill off forty-degree temps. It has since warmed a bit.

A blessing from the heavens surely lowered wildfire danger on the same day. I don’t have reports from other places along the Byway, but the Wildersmith gauge gulped up over one and six tenth inches.

We haven’t had a rain like this one in ages. The forest had its’ thirst quenched at least for the time being. This is good too as there have been a number of small fires set in the Superior National Forest during the past two weeks, all blamed on ill-advised human decisions with campfires. Some folks will never learn!

This liquid happening not only created mud puddles we haven’t seen since the ice and snowmelt, but likely was critical to blueberry crop development. So it seems 2020 opportunities for the blue gems could be great with both moisture in the ground and those terrorist, black fly pollinators, buzzing at the ready.

It is likely with the big rain renewing depleted streams, running water will bring on another wave of the bloodthirsty critters. While berry augmentation is so important to our sweet tooth, we’d better be careful for that which we wish. There will be an increased surge of bites and annoying itching. And, if they don’t get you, the mosquitoes will surely pick-up any slack in this seasonal insect picnic with humans being the featured entre.

If the word hasn’t reached some listeners yet, the Covid-19 has resulted in the cancelation of the annual fundraisers for support of the Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department. Nevertheless, organizers of the Gunflint Trail Canoe Races and the Mid-Trail Property Owners Auction festivities recognize a continuing need to sustain operations and equipment replacements for our Trail Heroes. So things are going to look different in 2020.

It’s “bearly” a day when I don’t see a picture of some north woods “Bruno” posted on line. There must be more than a “sloth” of the ebony critters, or else a few are making widespread travels through the forest for photo ops.

On another note, the Chik-Wauk Campus staff is re-energized at the return of the missing loon pair. The hope is re-nesting will result in the miracle of a new generation which could be expected around 4th of July.

In other news from end of the Trail, after months of winter weather delays and the Pandemic, there is a chance the all-sky camera will be up and running on the Chik-Wauk Campus by next week at this time. Check Chik-Wauk .org for an official announcement.

Finally, in Gunflint Trail Historical Society news, although the usual June, General Membership meeting was cancelled, due to the Pandemic, the Board of Trustees met in Zoom on June 8th.

The Board is pleased to announce results of mail-in balloting for the election of new Trustees. Elected for two year terms were; David Coleman of Clearwater Lake, Lee Hecimovich of Poplar Lake, Bruce Kerfoot, Tucker Lake and LaRaye Osborne of Poplar Lake.

The GTHS welcomes our new leadership, and with deep gratitude, thanks Barbara Bottger, Judy Edlund, Bud Darling and Les Edinger for their dedicated contributions over multiple terms of service.

For WTIP, this is Wildersmith, on the Gunflint Trail, where every day is curious, and naturally amazing!
 

National Forest Update
June 4, 2020

Hi.  This is Steve Robertsen with the first June version of the National Forest Update.  It’s been lovely outside, so I hope you’ve been able to spend some time in the woods this past two weeks watching spring change to summer.

June, not surprisingly, means that the Juneberries are in bloom, along with choke cherries and more.  I’ve always felt that our Juneberry or serviceberry trees get a raw deal.  People travel for miles to see the cherry blossoms in Washington DC, and I think our Juneberries are just as pretty.  Later, these trees will have berries that are very edible, but not too many people actually seem to harvest them.  The flavor does vary between trees though, so you may need to sample several to find the best.  While we have to wait for the fruit, pollinators are enjoying the nectar right now.  Watching a flowering tree in our yard earlier this week, it was easy to spot at least three species of bee, several Painted Lady butterflies, a clear wing hummingbird moth, and a real hummingbird.  We’ve all learned the importance of pollinators recently, and all these flowering trees and shrubs provide lots of food for these important insects and birds.  Plus, the fruit later will not only feed us, but also plenty of wildlife.

One of the less popular nectar eating insects is the black fly.  If they would stick to nectar, no one would have a problem, but unfortunately for us, the females need a blood meal before laying eggs and people are the involuntary blood donors.  Black flies have been awful this year all the way down to the Cities.  Unlike mosquitoes whose larvae are found in stagnant water, black fly larvae are in nice clean running water.  They provide food for fish, and so are an important link in the food chain, and it is just too bad that in this case the food chain also includes us.  DEET based repellents are usually not very effective, and while there are lots of other repellents you can try, I usually end up just using a head net and long sleeves.

Another sign of the times, deer are dropping their fawns.  I haven’t seen a fawn yet myself, but I have seen some local deer that suspiciously went from fat to thin overnight.  If you do see a fawn, remember that they are ‘latchkey’ children.  The doe will leave them alone while she goes off to forage.  Too often, well-meaning people pick up “abandoned” fawns which are actually only temporarily left alone.  That same advice applies to other animals.  Hares do the same thing, and baby birds too big to fit in the nest are often found on the ground or in a bush waiting for the parents to return.  All these baby animals need to be left alone.

Ravens nest early, so their young have already graduated from the nest to the air.  You can see flights of raven families with the young calling after the parents – most likely asking for food, but I’m suspicious that they might be whining “Are we there yet?” as well.

On June 1, 2020, the Superior National Forest opened overnight camping in a limited number of developed campgrounds. This is in alignment with Minnesota Governor’s announcement on May 20, 2020 which allowed campgrounds to re-open starting June 1 under the Stay Safe Phase for Reopening Society Plan. Note that water and outhouse facilities are not available at campgrounds which are still closed.  We are also re-opening outhouse facilities at some trailheads including Britton Peak, Oberg Mountain, Pincushion Mountain, and Eagle Mountain.  Other outhouses remain closed, so plan accordingly. For a full list of open areas and up-to-date information on campground re-openings, visit our website. 

Spring road restrictions have been lifted across the Forest, so timber hauling is back.  You may encounter truck traffic on the 4 Mile Grade, The Grade, Cook County 27, Cook County 8, the Sunfish Lake Road and the Greenwood Road. 

Despite our sprinkling of rain, we are going back into high fire danger.  The woods continue to green up, which is good, but winds are fairly high making it easy for an unattended fire to get out of control.  There were a number of such unattended campfires found this past week…so we have to repeat what seems obvious:  please put your fire out when you leave.

I mentioned young ravens leaving the nest, but ravens aren’t the only graduates out there this spring.  We’d like to congratulate all Northwoods class of 2020 as you spread your wings and take off.  May you have the opportunity to explore many other national forests, parks, and wilderness areas in your lives.  The Forest Service uses the catchphrase “Get Out There”, and we’d like to encourage you all to do just that.  Until next time, this is Steve Robertsen with the National Forest Update.
 

Wildersmith on the Gunflint     by     Fred Smith
June 5, 2020    
 
           
As days fly by so quickly, it is not surprising the planet is already a week into month six. While life along the Gunflint Trail sails by too, it’s less complex in un-organized territory.                                            
I
n the last days of May, conditions in the atmosphere were fairly pleasant with moderate daytime warmth and cool comfy nights. In fact during a couple nights, it was down-right chilly. I had to cover my tomato plants, and one of those evenings required a revival of the wood burning stove.                                                                                                                                                         

The territory was even surprised with a fine rain on one overnight. Most of the upper Trail measured about a much needed inch, with the rain gauge here clocking in at nine tenths. But all the soaking power is past now and we are back to dusty roads and crunchy underbrush.                                                                 

With the passing of Memorial Day and glorious rain, the Northland can put a stamp of approval on summer, even though the calendar claim is two weeks away. Leaf out is now achieved as the maple trees in upper Gunflint reaches have finished the process.                                                         

I’m now energized watching the growth of next generation branches on trees of the coniferous forest. Those long hidden buds have emerged into fuzzy candles, soon to be tender arms of evergreen splendor, reaching to the heavens.                                                                                                      

Meanwhile, the next blooms in line are smiling sunwards. Forget-me –nots, have forgotten us not, with columbine, lady slippers and wild strawberry blossoms leading into the summertime parade of color and sweetness.                                                                                                                                  

Speaking of strawberry blossoms, the timing of their arrival couldn’t have been more appropriate. The Ojibwe, “strawberry moon” is cast for the lead role in the cosmos this weekend. The lunar experience will be at its’ fullness tonight after partial cameos the past few days.                                                                                                                                                                                            

Elsewhere in the wild blue yonder, the latest lift-off from Cape Canaveral was a splendid exercise in jet propulsion. But I find such drive is trifling to the lightning speed of hummers around the Wildersmith nectar station in the past few days. I think it’s of interest the Hummingbird dexterity in changing directions at top speed would be beyond the likes of Spacex and NASA engineering. And these mini flyers can dock in space at the juice bottle with far less complexity. Nevertheless, both bird and rocket are marvels of creation.                                                                                                                                                                   

A little more on the “wild” side of things in our neighborhood, bear evidence is revealed along the Mile O Pine. While a close neighbor reports of a calling card left in his yard, the Smith’s have not been bothered to date, at least where we can tell.                                                                   

However, we did have a cute little “teddy” run across in front of the vehicle a few days ago. I’m guessing mamma heard us coming and rushed off into the bush as the little one just couldn’t make the stubby legs go fast enough to keep up. It was so cuddly. It’s too bad they have to grow up to be so growly.                                                                                                                                                                                
I’m told the missing loons at Chik-Wauk have been heard nearby, but not seen at their nesting platform. On other things that fly, I came across an informative article in the June/July edition of National Wildlife magazine. Entitled, “Bird Brainy” , author Jennifer Holland, talks of crows, sharing that these savvy black beauties thrive among us, both despite  us and because of us. After reading, I would suggest we humans reassess using the term “bird brain” so loosely, a murder of crows is pretty cagy. Catch this informative scribing on line or at your local library.                                                                                                                                                               

Speaking of Chik-Wauk, virtual programming will be ramping up content on social media in the coming week. To preview, I’m told by producers that Mondays, will be live streamed with naturalists Eddie, Josh and Micaela talking about Chik-Wauk goings-on, Wednesdays are going to be wildlife days, Thursdays will be throwback Thursdays, and Saturdays will starry Saturdays. Look for some cool things on Chik-Wauk SM platforms. They’d appreciate your likes.                                           

By the way, the Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center opened to the public ten years ago July 4^th. What a way to celebrate your tenth birthday, temporarily closed because of sickness.                                                                                                                                                                                    
On a closing note, thanks to the volunteers from the Gunflint Lake Property Owners Association and the Seagull-Saganaga Property Owners for cleaning up litter along the upper Trail. Together, they teamed-up to pick-up over 13 miles of human environmental disregard.                                                                                                                                                                                   

For WTIP, this is Wildersmith, on the Gunflint Trail, where every day is extraordinary, and some are even better!
 

Northeast Minnesota has undergone many geologic events to produce the landscape we know today. Most of us know that glaciers left a large imprint on northeast Minnesota, but in Part 1 of a two-part series, Producer Martha Marnocha explores our geologic history before the glaciers – a period of time that lasted over three billion years and known as Minnesota’s bedrock history. Part 2 features more recent geologic history, describing the effect of glaciation. See slideshow for examples of rocks and formations.

Thanks to naturalist Margie Menzies for her contribution to Parts 1 and 2.

In Part 3, amateur geologist and Gunflint Trail resident Doug Turner talks about his developing interest in a "very rocky area" - the upper Gunflint Trail. Turner also shares his experience with a group of geologists who looked for - and found - evidence of an ancient fiery meteorite impact. See slideshow for photos of Doug's dog, RockC, and examples of the Sudbury meteorite impact.