All posts by richardhoeg@gmail.com

Tucson Time Birding!

Year 11

Molly and I decided we deserved a quick getaway after all the health issues for both of us. Over the years we have grown to like Oro Valley just north of Tucson … for both birding and bicycling. The bike trails are extensive and keep you off the busy roads as the trails wind their way through the washes. On the birding side of the equation I like some locations that are north of town, and do not see many birders. Today I spent time first at Catalina Pond (not the state park). This wild area has a small pond, and water attracts life in the desert habitat. My other stop was the town of Oracle, Arizona. Once again while there is a state park near this town, my birding tends to be focused on a small quiet park in town. Oracle is about 25 miles north of Tucson, and has enough elevation change that it sees more precipitation than down in the desert. The town park has many trees which provide food for hungry birds. Enjoy … some images from this morning!

Red-Tailed Hawk

Acorn Woodpecker

Cactus Wren

Western Bluebird

Phainopepla

Stony River Forest Road Reopened!

Year 11,

The HUGE rains of June did a number to many of the wilderness roads in northeastern Minnesota, including Stony River Forest Road. It had a significant number of washouts over its 20 mile length. However, it was reopened yesterday!!! I love to both drive and hike this road. Actually, truth be told … like a bad boy … I actually was frequently on the road after it was closed, but I had to restrict my travels to areas where holes would not swallow my car!

This morning I enjoyed a 20 mile drive on Stony. I tend to drive north to a boreal bog at the 10.5 mile mark, and then turn around. I decided as long as I was up on Stony, I might as well head over to my feeders and trailcams (9 miles distant) I hope you enjoy this video of a lone timber wolf. He was filmed yesterday, and I swear he smelled my scent on the trailcam. Towards the end of the video, the wolf stops and stares right at the camera. Have I been outed??! (video link for email subscribers)

Perhaps the wolf was hunting Spruce Grouse. A few days back I photographed this male within 50 yards of this trailcams. While I could have zoomed in closer with my camera, it is often better to show wildlife  in their habitat … in this case the golds of late Autumn. Apparently tomorrow morning our first winter storm of the year may hit with 1/2 foot of snow.

Greenwood Bog Canada Lynx!

Year 11

The area where both my birdfeeders and trailcams are located is remote, but a few weeks ago one of my trailcams was stolen. Last week I purchased two new cameras with cable locks as replacements. When I swapped out the Simm cards this morning, I was rewarded with this video of a Canada Lynx. All summer and Fall I have been capturing Moose and Lynx on my cameras. Fun!

And the video … nice closeup! (video link of the Canada Lynx for email subscribers)

I will write a review about my new trailcams soon. The price is very reasonable and the performance is sound. Finally, it was fun to run into one of my readers as I was putting up a new bird feeder this morning. I love meeting you folks!