UP Nature Notes (Blog)

  1. More Big Trees for Big Birds - UP Nature Notes, No. 15

    January 22, 2024
    At about 17” in length, Pileated Woodpeckers (Dryocopus pileatus) are the largest woodpeckers in North America, unless you count the probably extinct Ivory-billed Woodpecker. Accordingly, their main habitat requirement is large trees, including some that are dead and dying. Pileateds make large, extensive excavations in trees in search…

  2. Big Trees for Big Birds - UP Nature Notes, No. 14

    January 2, 2024
    Bald eagles typically have wingspans of more than six feet with males weighing 6-9 pounds and females weighing 10-15 pounds. Like the bird in the first photo, they prefer to perch on sturdy branches of big trees. When there are fish to be had, however, their excellent sense of balance…

  3. An Eagle Shoots Back - UP Nature Notes, No. 13

    December 9, 2023
    We live on a free-flowing Lake Superior tributary, so we always know the river-run fish are spawning when the eagles show up. A couple of weeks ago, I got a few shots of this adult bald eagle out the bedroom window and some more by walking closer. As I entered…

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