What a spectacular view an eagle has while soaring high above, or perched in its favorite tall tree. The Superior National Forest is teeming with bald eagles during the summer months, standing vigil with a watchful eye over tourists paddling the BWCA while scanning the forest floor for an easy meal.
There are many eagles’ nests scattered throughout Saganaga and Northern Light lakes that are occupied year after year by the same eagles. Two adults are currently sharing a nest on Northern Light Lake, and are often home while we are fishing for walleyes below. The pair of eagles are entertaining to watch as they leave the nest for a while, soaring over their north woods playground, only to return with some type of critter clutched in their talons.
It is not every day a person can be hooking walleyes with front row seats to an eagle dismembering a small animal.
Turkey vultures are also a common large bird that is often seen soaring high like an eagle. The only way to differentiate them from far away is to watch them glide. Vultures glide with their wings in a semi-v position, while bald eagles keep their wings straight as an arrow.
Either bird is more than willing to take a handout and are often seen loitering around the usual fish gut disposal spots near quitting time. Unfortunately for them, the sea gulls are much faster and seem to appear from everywhere after being beaconed with a “kaw” from their look-out. The gulls make short work of the fish racks, while the eagles watch from above.
The otherwise silent surroundings of the BWCA are filled with crying loons, chirping eagles, and of course those jolly paddlers who love to sing and play while navigating the lake. Summer is peaking and the woods are full of campers taking in their own nature experience. A majority of the campsites are being used on Saganaga each day, and many of them have been swimming to escape the mid-day heat.
For many families this will be the last summer vacation, and I think how nice it is for them to have a wilderness vacation before returning to school in a few weeks. Their appreciation for the woods and water will help protect and preserve this unique area for the next generation. “Leave No Trace” is a great philosophy practiced by most visitors to the BWCA, and it works. Rarely do I see a campsite with garbage left behind.
Cory Christianson has worked as a fishing guide on the Gunflint Trail since 2000. If you have any fishing or wildlife reports or stories to share, send an email to: christiansoncory@hotmail.com or call 218- 388-0315. You can also visit Cory’s website at Gunflintfishingguide.com.
Leave a Reply