Boundary Waters - Velvet Spikes and Kill Beaver

I got back from the Boundary Waters this week. The weather was wonderful and the trip was great: portaging, canoeing, fishing, camping, birding, foraging. I traveled with 3 members of my family. The velvet bull on the right was among the photogenic highlights of the trip.

We traveled through a chain of 11 lakes, crossing over 13 portages. Much adventure was enjoyed. The lands rumbled at night with midwest storms. Strong winds created
chop that wiser fools would have been disinclined to navigate. The morning routine was perfect: up before 5, boil water, watch. Rouse the fellas and eat the oats. Break camp and travel on. What a way to see the country. The BWCA is quite a magical place. What a blessing to see a beaver swimming 15 feet away. White osprey
wings diving in a fight, talons extended. Orange mushrooms in the boreal forest. Blackburnian warbler ("it looks like a tiger!"). A spotted fawn. Bull moose!