Canada Lynx Scent Branch!

Year 13

Remember this guy (or gal)? This Canada Lynx lives near my Greenwood Creek Bird Feeders in the Superior National Forest / Sand Lake – 7 Beavers Nature Conservancy Preserve. I took these two photographs last April when the Lynx and I had a stare down on a remote trail.

Well, the big kitty likes my birdfeeders! I suspect it likes the fact that Snowshoe Hare and Grouse like my birdfeeders! The Lynx has been visiting my feeders throughout the winter, but NEVER actually walks through the parking area. Via the use of my trailcams I have now discovered the cat’s scent branch. Recently the Canada Lynx is visiting the branch at least once per day. Yesterday I moved five trailcams. They all now point at the scent branch from various angles. Learn more about “scent branches / scent marking.

Enjoy these five videos. If you would like to see some of the Canada Lynx’s friends which visit the “scent branch” including snowshoe hare, moose, timber wolves and more visit this YouTube Playlist I created which specifically focuses upon the scent branch (all videos taken within 20 yards). Interestingly enough, during the “Blue Jays” video I was actually standing about 125 yards distant from the Lynx. I knew the Jays were upset, but the 2.5+ feet of snow discouraged me from bushwhacking!

Video Links for Blog eMail Subscribers:

Winter 2025 / 2026 Lynx and Friends YouTube Playlist

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.