Northern Hawk Owl Hunting

Year 13

With the help of some other folks, I finally found a second Northern Hawk Owl in Sax-Zim Bog on Saturday morning. After the atrocious weather the past few  days … dare I say dreich?! … the day was finally worth heading outside. Putting our weather in perspective, I went through 40 pounds of salt trying to keep rid our walks free of ice buildup from the snow and sleet screaming in off Lake Superior.

While the weather forecast claimed the sun would arrive by mid-morning, Mother Nature said if you really want to photograph the Hawk Owl, you MUST show patience. I arrived in the Bog at 7:30 am, and the sun did not come out till 1:00 pm. However, the long wait was worth cooling my jets. The Northern Hawk Owl performed!

Sax-Zim Bog Northern Hawk Owl Hunting

The owl moved all afternoon between three perches near a small creek

Perch #1

Perch #2

Perch #3

One of the dives for a vole

Vole Capture #1

Vole Capture #2

Back to Hunting on Perch #3

In the final image of the “back to hunting” photos, the full sun had come out. It was taken about 15 minutes later than the other images in the sequence and something had obviously caught the owl’s attention.

Winter Birding Golf Attire!

Year 13

Sounds like a crazy post title, doesn’t it?! Has Rich (your host) lost his rocker? Definitely not! As we start the month of March here in the Northland temperatures often soar into the 40’s by afternoon, but crash well below freezing at night, which means ICE! My yard still has lots of snow, and given Duluth’s location on a hill along Lake Superior, the Forest trails are dangerous. However, at the same time we are experiencing lots of bright, sunny days.

The end result is winter birding golf attire:

  • A golf visor to protect against the sun’s glare but still allowing a person to wear a stocking cap for warmth. Cold ears are no fun. Please note I do NOT wear sunglasses while birding. The polarizing features of sunglasses make it more difficult to spot and ID birds.
  • Cleats! Golfers wear cleats. Birders who want a grip on icy trails should follow their example. See my photographs, and links. There are cleats that will pull over your trails shoes or boots. Remember to order cleats where the rubber straps are large enough to fit over your winter walking attire.

My Nike Golf Visor! Swoosh. Should I became a paid influencer? Not.

My “cleats” Due North Ice Cleats

While this post’s tone is playful, the ability to see well and avoid slipping during the “ice birding season” is a matter of safety. In addition given the owl courting season is now upon us, I am often hiking at night in the dark. I also wear a headlamp.

Sunrise Hike on Ice Planet Zelda!

Year 13

This morning, the 1st of March, dawned bright, clear and cold. My first stop was the boreal forest near my house where my local Great Horned Owls, Les and Amy, were hooting their love back and forth, but then it was on to  take in the pre-dawn light out over Lake Superior … or Ice Planet Zelda!

Before continuing I want to call out one of my favorite birding bloggers, Brian Scott and Scozmo’s Photery. Through Brian and his walks in rural Scotland I have learned many new English words, including my new favorite … “dreich” (pronounced dreek). Apparently the weather recently in Brian’s part of the world has been damp, dark and dreary … in short dreich!

Well, northeastern Minnesota has been the exact opposite, sunny but darn cold. As I headed out an 80 minutes before sunrise the temperature was -7F (-22C).  Apparently I need the Scottish word for ridiculously cold.

Anyhow … without further adieu … Sunrise Over Ice Planet Zelda!

20 Minutes Before Sunrise … I am out on Lake Superior’s ice, but not the new ice.

The moment of sunrise

About 10 minutes after sunup … looking along the shore at Stoney Point. Calm today, but the pine shows the evidence of last week’s blizzard and crazy waves.