It is -18F right now at my house, and -30F inland away from Lake Superior in Sax-Zim Bog (about 40 miles distant from my house). The big lake is starting to freeze over. Lord knows, its cold enough! When our end of Gitche Gumee gets ice covered we will lose is winter warming effect.

Yesterday was an equally “warm” day, and I worked as a volunteer at the Sax-Zim Bog Welcome Center. When the temperature soared to -5F at 1 pm I took a photograph of this Sharp-Tailed Grouse. Examine the bird closely and particularly note how its legs are completely feathered down to its feet. You will then understand how this bird is well adapted for life in the Northland. Most birds do not have this feathered adaptation to the cold. The second image shows the Sharpie next to a Ring-Necked Pheasant. It does not have this winter adaptation.

I also saw one of my friendly neighborhood Snowy Owls. You can see how it is “puffed up against the cold”. I am including another flight image I took from a month ago. Snowy Owls have the same adaptation. First the sunrise pic, and then the flight show showing its legs with the winter / cold adaptation.

Finally a few more images from yesterday, including first my car’s outside temperature reading. I missed the -30F shot, but I experienced that number on Arkola Road. I will admit I kept my hikes brief yesterday (under fifteen minutes each).

Sharp-Tailed Grouse & Ring-Necked Pheasant

Snowy Owl Flight Photograph (2 days ago … early morning … light clouds)