Wildersmith on the Gunflint: November 28

We wilderness folk are bidding November farewell, following the annual day of American bounty stuffing.  Hope your Thanksgiving was a comforting time!    

On the brink of chapter 12 (December), area residents watched as Old Man Winter slipped into a listless warm stupor last weekend.     

Those days saw our colder than normal month turn a damp dismal gray. With temps hanging out near the freezing point, fog, drizzle, dripping rooftops and sloppy roads were the order. It was unseasonably ugly. Thus our meager snow cover was depleted, leaving barely enough to say we have white on the ground.                                                                                                     

As I pull together this week’s Gunflint story, there was promise of a return to what it should be this time of year. Sure enough, completing this week’s scoop found the territory with a new coating of white.  December has come on us in a flash. Let’s hope the cold is back to stay and the “great man of the north” brews up even more forest flocking.                                                                                                                       

Prior to the warmup of last weekend, several mornings of both near and below zero allowed further ice enhancement in the upper Gunflint. A couple of the larger bodies took on their winter coat as both Seagull and Poplar lakes sealed up on the night of the 19th. I don’t have data on these lakes with regard to early hardening water, but it would seem this hasty ice on could be a near record. Meanwhile, Gunflint, Sag and Loon lakes continue teasing us, with their only ice showing as build up on rocky shore lines from the pounding wave action.                                                                                                                                                                 

Last Sunday saw the Minnesota rifle season for deer come to an end. I haven’t heard of many bucks being taken out this way. However, it has been reported that one fellow took a buck which, when tracked down, had a huge buildup of ice on its rack. There’s opinion the big fellow must have swam across Gunflint Lake from the Canadian side. Due to the frigid air temps during the aquatic journey, water splashing up on his regal crown froze instantly.        

Another hunter tells of being so well camouflaged while sitting and waiting for that prized buck, a wolf walked right by him and didn’t even notice. It would be my guess the wolf was either so intent on its own hunting expedition, or had a bad smeller and poor eyesight. In either case, it would seem that both parties should be happy one didn’t notice the other.      

While deer herd numbers are down in this part of the Arrowhead, it was a pleasant surprise when a momma and her offspring showed up in the Wildersmith yard a few days ago. Along with tracks in our snow along the Mile O Pine, we can confirm at least some have survived both predation and a bad last winter.                                                                                                                                                                  

The frosty blast of week three saw a terrific increase in air traffic to border country bird feeding stations. Both outgoing and incoming visitors at Wildersmith are of the customary varieties. The bulk of the winged folk seems to be a larger than usual number of those “jet blue” arrivals. I’m speaking of the blue jay bullies. It must have been a great reproductive year for the blues.                

An unusual and lone grackle has also landed, and apparently found our provisions to its liking. This iridescent black beauty has been here for several consecutive days. In comparison with other frequent flyers, this guy/gal appears not one bit intimidated by the squawking jaybirds. It will be of interest to see if it continues to hang out, or is a bye, bye birdie.     

Another feed trough returnee made a nocturnal visit last week. Although it was not specifically observed, one of our neighborhood pine martens came by investigating the menu offerings, leaving tracks all over the snow-covered deck. I can’t tell if it has been back since the melting snow has eliminated my tracking opportunities. I have cordially invited the critter back though, by offering a couple marten menu favorites, poultry pieces.                                                                                             

It won’t be long and all of our winter critter friends will be back in the fold at Wildersmith!                                                                                                                                                                                  
Keep on hangin’ on, and savor the charm and mystery of our December, “cold, little spirit moon.”          

(Photo courtesy of Evan Leeson on Flickr)