Today I met my eighth grandchild, Saige Hoeg! Molly and I are doing what is most important in life … enjoying family and this instance being introduced to a little girl who has brought joy into the hearts of her family. Saige even wore home from the hospital the same exact little yellow sweater which I wore home on a cold spring morning just shy of 69 years ago. Now, this “little yellow sweater” has been worn by 3 generations of the family … cue the choir and orchestra as everyone sings out that famous song from Fiddler on the Roof, Tradition! (video link for email subscribers)

And in our case … Saige in the Little Yellow Sweater!

Now, I’m actually not real writer in the family; that crown goes to my wife. If you would like to learn more about “the little sweater” and see baby photos from across the generations in said sweater, browse to Molly’s blog … Superior Footprints (as in both Lake Superior and Life’s Footprints). A big TV station down in Minneapolis / St. Paul even learned about our little yellow sweater and with our family’s blessing created a piece about the sweater for their show, MInnesota Live. Watch Minnesota Live’s short documentary via Molly’s blog.

Now didn’t I mention that in this post’s title that it was also Good-Bye to Snowy Owls? By the time I am again actively birding the Northland (about March 1st), most owls including Snowys will be working their way northward. Thus, yesterday morning I went owling and arrived in Snowy Owl Land (Superior, Wisconsin) well before sunrise. Apparently the folks who arrange successful birding expeditions decided luck should be with me. I found not one, but two Snowy Owls and watched them hunt starting for about one hour both before and after sunrise. Both owls decided it was time take a siesta and I drove home.

Superior Snowys!

Owl #1

Owl #2

The sun has finally truly risen, and both owls will be asleep very soon. Light conditions were changing amazingly fast, which forces the photographer to adjust how they approach taking a picture. While both owls were alert and constantly looking around which made me believe they were still hunting, it is equally possible they did not want to settle down to sleep till they had both upchucked their owl pellets!