Short-Eared Owls are not normally what one finds in the Bog, but today was not normal. Early this morning I read via the Bog’s Telegram App that a Short-Eared Owl has been spied (my thanks to Mike Hendrickson who runs this service … see the Facebook Group named Sax-Zim Bog if you wish to join the sightings group). Even though I had two hours worth of appointments, when those were finished I dropped everything else for the day and drove over to the Bog (45 miles). Short-Eared Owls are very nocturnal and I knew there was a good change the bird if not flushed would not move till sundown. Jackpot!

Short-Eared Owl

My favorite pic …

In its environment

A closeup

Most of the time the owl was sleeping as seen below, but when a truck drove by the owl woke up and glared at the vehicle (above pics)

Look Left

Look Right

After a great time with the owl I drove down McDavitt. I found over 40 Evening Grosbeaks feeding at “the Zabin”, and this heavily camouflaged Ruffed Grouse.