All posts by richardhoeg@gmail.com

Magical Ice Bog Morning: Owl Time!

Year 11

Yesterday was one of those mornings that soothes the soul! My time in the deep woods provided me the inspiration that keeps me returning to the Boreal wilderness, even when some days are not as successful or filled with beauty. The morning started similar to the day before … sunny skies down by Lake Superior, and precipitation 35 miles inland. However yesterday morning it was a few degrees cooler than the prior, and rather than cold, blustery rain there was light, fluffy snow!!!

From earlier in the week I knew my forest road / trail already had a few trees down across same. However the strong winds of the prior day (60 mph wind gusts) felled even more trees. US Forest Service Road (#813) between my feeders and the Boreal Bog (about one mile) now had 10+ trees down across the narrow dirt road. Thankfully my plan all along was to hike into the Bog.

Enjoy cell phone pics of my hike to the Bog, and my “owl time” upon reaching the frozen wonderland! Great Gray Owl time! The owl spent over 35 minutes with me. It disappeared into the deep forest when the sun started to come out.

First the hike … (Ice Bog Snow Flurry video link for email subscribers)

A few still images from the hike into the frozen bog (cell phone pics)

As a fyi … the firearms deer hunting season ends this weekend. However, I know there was not a single hunter within miles and miles of me, but I still always wear Blaze Orange or Red during the hunting season. Finally, remember white-tailed deer hate bogs. Thus, I am extremely unlikely to meet up with hunters. In fact, I have never ever seen a deer or deer tracks in this area. Any deer hunter who knows anything about the wildlife would never hunt this area.

Great Gray Owl Ice Bog Time (video link for email subscribers)

Perch #1

Changing Locations

Perch #2

Yup … a good morning … made better by the hike!

The Lake Gives & Takes Away Birding Opportunities

Year 11

Lake Superior dominates our weather in Northeastern Minnesota. As I left home this morning wind advisories were posted … 60 mph wind gusts! Given the horrible weather of late I really wanted to spend some time outside. Thus, I turned inland at Two Harbors which was a horrible idea. Although nice and sunny down at Lake Superior, the strong winds off Lake Superior generated plenty of rain just 25 miles inland (approximately a 1,500 foot climb from the lakeshore). Anyhow, winds exceeding 50 mph plus rain out my hiking plans on hold. I turned around and drove back down the the lake … and sunshine.

In Two Harbors, assuming one could find protected areas, there were a few birds. This Rough Legged Hawk was using two different signs next to the road as hunting platforms. The advantage of both of these signs was they were only 15 yards from the forest’s edge, and thus a bit protected from the fierce wind.

I also checked out the Two Harbors Campground and found some snow buntings also working their way south from the Arctic.

I did take a short hike out onto Lighthouse Point. It was reasonably protected from the wind while receiving the morning sunshine. I was also wearing ski goggles which allowed me to see in the blustery conditions. It’s now time to go check the roof of my house. A large dead, but rotten tree fell onto the roof. I was not willing to get on a ladder to climb up onto the roof to check if there is any damage till the wind died down some.

Housebound Birding

Year 11, ,

50 mph wind gusts and strong rain considers even the most persistent birder like myself to hang out in the house. I didn’t even get out of bed till 6:30 am! My only social item today is to meet friends at the Pickwick Restaurant (Wikipedia Link) at 5:30 pm. This venue has been open since 1888, and my parents first took me to the Pickwick at the age of around 4 or 5 around 1960. Thus, I have been frequenting this restaurant for over 65 years. Uff Dah! If you are visiting Sax-Zim Bog or the North Shore for birding, I recommend the Pickwick.

Image from Open Table … not my own

Now some birding information. This winter is setting up to look excellent for both winter birding and owls. While the Winter Finch forecast was actually not real good, the results are indicating otherwise. 1000’s of Redpolls have been reported flying past Duluth’s Hawk Ridge over the past two days. In addition lots of Crossbills have been reported. I know all three species (Red and White-Winged Crossbills plus Redpolls) have been in my yard.

On the owl front this year is predicted to be an irruption year of birds from north of the border. The number of Boreal Owls banded at Hawk Ridge, Wolf Ridge and Whitefish Point exceeds all past counts. Expect to see some of these little guys in January. In addition, unlike last year, there are already a decent number of Snowy Owl reports. One big difference is there is snow on the ground west and north of Winnipeg to drive raptors south. Last year the extended region was snow free on the ground. I found myself hiking into the Greenwood Bog in February. There was only a dusting of white stuff on the ground when normally the snow cover should be measured in feet.

My available time this morning allowed me to catch up on bird images. First on the docket is this photo of a Woodhouse Scrub Jay which I saw at the Oracle, Arizona town park. If you are vacationing or live in Tucson, the small town of Oracle a bit north of Oro Valley is worth birding.

Woodhouse Scrub Jay (Although this jay is nor rare, it is only my second even lifetime sighting. I just don’t hang out often in the right SW dry highland habitat.)

And a few more images of last weekend’s migrating Bonaparte Gulls.