Tag Archives: Minnesota

Destination, Photography, Travel, Wildlife

NORTH AMERICAN BEAR CENTER – Ely, MN #exploremn

Image May 24, 2018 Dan Traun 3 Comments

NORTH AMERICAN BEAR CENTER

The North American Bear Center is a nonprofit museum with indoor and outdoor viewing of live black bears in natural habit with a pond and waterfall. The 2.5-acre enclosure is home to four resident bears – Ted, Tasha and Lucky, and Holly. The educational mission of the NABC is to replace myths about bears with reality; with over 50 video exhibits of wild Minnesota bears, a wide variety of daily programs, and a hands-on children’s area, people of all ages learn bear behavior from the bears themselves. It is recommended to allow at least a two-hour visit for this unique, world-class experience that the whole family will enjoy! ~Explore Minnesota

If you are ever near Ely, MN you will want to stop by the North American Bear Center. I happened to be in the Ely area this last weekend visiting the International Wolf Center on the opposite end of town.

I was traveling with two other photographers; we were fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time. We had finished viewing the expansive exhibit and went out on the observation deck. No bears were out in the main enclosure at the time. We did notice four bear center staff off in the distance with a photographer. As luck would have it, we were waved over for a more up close and personal view. This was certainly a better perspective to capture the bears. There was a local professional photographer there shooting to provide updated photos of the bears at the center. We were allowed to shoot through the fence from that location. It was magnificent to see Lucky and Holly sparing, rolling around in the grass and just simply being bears.

Our view prior to being waved over

Our view after being waved over

View from observation deck during a scheduled feeding

Bear-sized Cong filled with grapes

Eating apricots

At the feeding platform

Making short work of the snak

Lucky all done snacking

Check out the North American Bear Center website | fb page

EXTRA

Destination, Photography, Travel, Wildlife

INTERNATIONAL WOLF CENTER – Ely, MN #exploremn

Image May 23, 2018 Dan Traun

INTERNATIONAL WOLF CENTER

The International Wolf Center (IWC) is a research and educational organization based in Ely, Minnesota. Its mission is to “advances the survival of wolf populations by teaching about wolves, their relationship to wildlands and the human role in their future.” The Wolf Center operates an interpretive center in Ely open to the public. Visitors can view captive “ambassador wolves” in natural surroundings through large windows. There is much to learn about wolves through a variety of exhibits and programs. This organization lies within Superior National Forest. It also sponsors research symposia and offsite educational programs, publishes International Wolf magazine, and provides information about wolves via its website.

In response to wolf controversies, the Wolf Center does not take a stand on how wolves should be managed (such as by hunting or trapping), as long as healthy wolf populations are maintained. Its policy is to provide the most accurate, up-to-date information possible about wolves and let people make their own decisions. ~wikipedia

If you are ever near Ely, MN you will want to stop by the International Wolf Center. I happened to be in the Ely area this last weekend during a photography trip with two other gentlemen to the Minnesota North Shore. We stayed in a cabin about 45 minutes from Lake Superior; just outside of Isabella, MN on Hwy 1. The weather wasn’t cooperating for sunrise or sunset one day; this was a welcomed alternate destination given our close proximity to Ely.

THE PACK

It is pretty amazing to see a pack of wolves up close and personal albeit through glass. The staff give fantastic informational presentations about the wolves and even moose. If you are want to see how a pack of wolves feed, you can do that too. There is a What’s for Dinner program every Saturday at 7 p.m.

MORE IMAGES OF THE WOLVES

You don’t have to look far to find controversy surrounding wolves in Minnesota. I found a story about a hunter and his encounter with wolves too. Wolves are beautiful wild creatures and I hope there will always be a place for them in Minnesota.

Check out the International Wolf Center website | fb page

EXTRA

Destination, Photography

COKE OVENS – REDSTONE #Colorado

Image March 10, 2018 Dan Traun

COKE OVENS

The Redstone Coke Oven Historic District is located at the intersection of State Highway 133 and Chair Mountain Stables Road outside Redstone, Colorado. It consists of the remaining coke ovens built at the end of the 19th century by the Colorado Fuel and Iron. In 1990 it was recognized as a historic district and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Two hundred were built because the coal in the surrounding mountains was ideal for refining into coke. At their peak they were producing almost 6 million tons a year. The development was the beginning of the modern settlement of Redstone. The ovens are the only remnant of the sizable coking operation in the area. It was the largest at the time in Colorado.

Within ten years of their construction the ovens fell into disuse when the mines closed. Their support steel was removed during the scrap metal drives of World War II, and later they were used as living space by hippies who moved into Redstone. The possibility that some might be demolished to build a gas station eventually led Pitkin County to acquire the land in the mid-2000s, and since then some have been restored. ~Wikipedia

Redstone is a lovely small art community on the banks of the Crystal River. You can spend some time here browsing the shops in town. Don’t miss out on an ice cream cone from Redstone General Store. There are also several lodging options, outfitters and a cafe. To my surprise, there was a walk bridge over the river made by Continental Bridge from Alexandria, MN.