My Great Horned Owls are back and on their nest! Over the past few months I have heard their love songs, but this afternoon I confirmed they are launching a new family. Last Spring I had a fantastic time watching Ma & Pa Great Horned Owls raise their twins. According to the Cornell School of Ornithology the first young should hatch in about one month, or about the 10th of March.

You might ask why any self-respecting owl would nest in the middle of the frigid Minnesota winter? The answer is quite logical … it’s all about prey. As the owlets grow and increase their food demands, other animals will be having their young (squirrels, mice, rabbits, crows, etc). Thus, there will lots of food for the parents available at nature’s supermarket. Finally, once the young are fledged there will be lots of new young prey upon which these young owls may practice their hunting before winter returns to the Northland.

Great Horned Owl on its Nest

Before I visited my own owls, I made a quick trip up to Sax-Zim Bog. The hoar frost was drop dead gorgeous this morning. Unfortunately I could not find a candidate bird to sit at close range for a photoshoot. This image was taken at quite a distance.

Northern Hawk Owl in a Hoar Frost Flocked Tree

Incidentally I was not dedicated to taking a picture of an owl with the hoar frost. I actually took a two mile hike in the woods … not a single Gray Jay, Crossbill or made their presence known. It was amazingly quiet.

Finally, yesterday morning before the sun came out from behind the clouds, I found this Great Gray Owl getting ready for its daily nap.

Great Gray Owl