Baysitter11 Loc: Cincinnati

I am putting a trip together for next summer and part of the trip will take me through Minnesota from North Dakota. From Fargo toward Minneapolis via I94 then on to Chicago. This would be in late July. Having not birded or photographed birds in the state, I was hoping for tried and true suggestions for such. I will have 2 days to go off the beaten path. There are so many Nature preserves and lakes there that I feel slightly overwhelmed. I have listed the Minnesota River Birding Trail, and Itasca State Park (head of the Mississippi River as suggestions. My husband is a birder and I take the photos. Thank you in advance for suggestions for the beautiful state.