A Collection From Winter 2022 – Lake Superior and Superior National Forest

A collection of winter photos from Superior National Forest and Lake Superior in northeastern Minnesota – 2022

It’s the last official day of winter. Spring begins tomorrow, and a lot of us are probably ready for it! Here’s a collection of photos from the past few winter months. There are some dog sledding photos, a lot of grouse, some lynx, a moose and some other random, scenic winter wonders. I hope you enjoy.

This winter, we got some ice. It never really stayed long enough up here in our neck of the lake, but we did have some great ice piles and ice sheets breaking up and moving.

Ice Break Up at Sunrise on Lake Superior – Schroeder, MN 2022
Piles of ice along the shoreline of Lake Superior – Tofte, MN 2022
Morning light on the rocks – Schroeder, MN 2022
Icescape – Tofte, MN 2022
Sunrise Sunburst – Schroeder, MN 2022
Icy Overhangs on Lake Superior – 2022
Sunrise Glass – 2022
A pastel sunset on the shores of Lake Superior – Temperance River State Park, MN 2022
Lakescape in Ice – 2022

Grouse are probably the most abundant wildlife species I find in the winter months. The moose tend to move a lot less, and therefore, I rarely spot one. The grouse seem to be plentiful, especially the spruce grouse. Here’s a fun collection from this winter.

A spruce grouse gives me a quick, beautiful warning with his stunning tail display. The spruce grouse will do this display for females, or for territorial reasons as well.
Superior National Forest, MN 2022
Here is a little video clip of the strut that leads up to the tail flash. It’s in slow motion, so you can imagine how quick the full flash actually is. If you study the strut, and have seen it enough times, it can be easier to time for a photo! Enjoy the slow-mo video.
And a flash for good measure! from up in the tree – Superior National Forest, MN 2022
Morning sun for the spruce grouse in Superior National Forest, MN 2022
Roosting on a below zero Morning
Superior National Forest, MN 2022
This was possibly the largest group of spruce grouse I have ever seen. 15 in the photo, 2 more out of frame on the ground, and more in the trees. At least 20 out pecking gravel in the road on a below zero morning in Superior National Forest 2022
The grouse needs small gravel in their gizzard to help grind up undigested foods. You’ll often encounter ruffed and spruce grouse in the mornings, pecking gravel for their digestive systems.
Female spruce grouse
Superior National Forest, MN 2022
A group of grouse pecking gravel.
Superior National Forest, MN 2022
Winter grouse Tracks
2022
Fresh tracks from a Canada Lynx deep in the forest of northeastern Minnesota 2022
hunting the roads together on a cold winter morning.
Canada Lynx
Superior National Forest, MN 2022
Canada Lynx
Minnesota 2022
Tracks from the Canada Lynx.
Moose sightings are a bit more rare for me in the winter months. I saw a lot of tracks this winter, but probably only a handful of brief sightings, including this one.
Minnesota Moose 2022

The John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon is always a winter highlight along the North Shore. The race takes dog teams from Duluth, MN through the forests along the Lake Superior Shoreline inland, almost to the Canadian Border and to the finish in Grand Portage, MN. Here is a small collection from the race at the end of January.

The backroads are always a treat in the winter months. We really had a LOT of snow piled up by the end of February. It was a TRUE Minnesota winter.

Winter beauty on the backroads – Minnesota 2022
Sun breaks through on a morning drive in Superior National Forest
Winter trees – Minnesota 2022
A 22 degree halo around the winter morning sun 2022
A boreal chickadee in Superior National Forest, MN 2022

Happy Spring, everyone! As much as i like the beauty and variety our winters bring, this has been a long one and I’m ready for the greens of spring and summer. Thank you for taking a look at this winter collection.
Tom


3 thoughts on “A Collection From Winter 2022 – Lake Superior and Superior National Forest”

  1. WOW THANK YOU for sharing!!!!! I LOVE watching for your photos! It sure was a great year for winter pictures!!! Thanks again!!! ________________________________

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