An Owl Video and a Freighter:

 

Our Screech Owl visitor only stayed for one day unfortunately. Above is one more video of his visit to our backyard.

In a departure from my usual posts, I decided to highlight the Ice Breakers and other boat activity I noticed on Lake Huron this winter!

For several weeks, the Algonova cruised through the ice along the north end of the St. Clair River and into Lake Huron, as it traveled between Sarnia and Calcite, Michigan. 2025 is the first time I have had the opportunity to "watch" freighters navigate the "frozen" lake with the aid of Ice Breakers. From our vantage point, the Lake appeared to be 100% covered because ice accumulates at the south end. However the maximum coverage of the Lake as a whole was only 39% ice.

Freighters were accompanied by Work Boats that delivered supplies while both boats were on Lake Huron.

Mackinaw, US Coast Guard Ice Breaker heading north on February 12th.

Samuel Risley, Canadian Ice Breaker heading downriver on February 13th.

Docked at Sarnia.

A Tugboat, very low in the water, was escorting the Algonova on March 3rd.

Algonova heading into Lake Huron on March 3rd.

On the way to Sault St. Marie on March 3rd: After leaving the St. Clair River, the Tugboat made a "moving connection" with the freighter, possibly to exchange supplies and/or Pilots. Although the water is currently open at the lower end, more ice is expected to float south as winter comes to an end.

https://wgrt.com/how-the-lakes-pilots-help-navigate-freighters-through-the-blue-water-area/