A DISTRACTED BIRDER

The Ouimet Canyon loop May 26, 2012

From the parking lot it is a short walk to "boardwalk"
 that takes you gently down to a more level trail.
It seems like you are walking through the treetops.

This crosses a small crack (compared to Ouimet Canyon).

Looking toward Lake Superior, not that your going to see it from here.

I guess we could call this an "old growth" pine.

Lots of wildflowers were almost blooming.
Yellow Clintonia/Blue Bead Lily(look like tulip leaves)
Bunchberry (four-leaves)
Canada Mayflower (single leaf)
I find white flowers do not take a good photo with this camera.
 Something I will have to work on manual settings.

These are Wood Anemone. When they open on those delicate stems
even the slightest breeze will make them tremble.
Hence the name "windflower".

Wild Sarsaparilla, member of the Ginseng family.
The reddish leaves belong to this flower.

I've misplaced my flower book.
 Bought one June 11 - Winter Cress a.k.a. Yellow Rocket
Barbarea vulgaris
Mustard Family Brassicaceae

I never expected to see these.
Gaywings.
Fringed Polygala
There is a beautiful little patch of them on the trail between the viewing pods.

This is the first pod, looking north.
The column of rock is known locally as the "Indian head".

Looking south toward lake Superior.
 There is a second viewing  pod near the bend.

As for birds, I heard a Willow Flycatcher and a White Throated Sparrow.

On the road to and from the Canyon we saw the Belted Kingfisher,
the Eastern Kingbird and the American Bittern and a flock of Sandhill Cranes in a field.

The Red Wing Blackbird calls this home.
 An Orange Crown Warbler was not far away.