The winter solstice arrived Saturday morning with a picturesque sunrise. Overnight half of the Grand Marais Harbor froze giving some great reflections. 

When I got home, I saw what I first thought was a squirrel running through the trees but turned out to be a short-tailed weasel also called an ermine. It ran from the bird feeder to some stumps that I had by the flower bed. I patiently waited for it to show itself again. 

They are very curious so usually will look at you.

It scooted back in and then just peaked its head out from on top of the stumps. Then scampered off into the spruce. This is the first ermine I have saw for a couple years.

Paul Sundberg