I did some kayaking with a friend to a lake just on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The first morning was a real memory maker. The lake was like glass with a slight fog covering the water. I would have to say it was perfect kayaking conditions.

Our goal was to find a loon nest that we had heard about from a friend. We found the nest on a beautiful little island in a back bay where very few people travel. Just like the loons in my prior “Photo of the Week” this pair is also very tolerant of our presence and showed no sign of concern. The longer we were there the more friendly they became. Even fishing right under our kayaks. By means of telephoto lens we were able to capture unique photos and interactions between the pair. 

It was pretty amazing the amount of wildlife we saw while experiencing this backcountry lake with the loons. 

We saw a black-backed woodpecker nest with the adult feeding its young. Black-backed woodpeckers are not very common and most people have never seen one let alone their nest cavity with young. We also came across a cow moose and her two young calves. Later a ruffed grouse mom with about a dozen chicks. They scurried in every direction. Mom climbed up a rock and started calling. All the chicks climbed to the top one by one. It was a picture-perfect day and now is the time to get away outdoors and enjoy summer.