Category Archives: Background

Birding and the Weather / Apps

Background

This morning I had planned to return to the Greenwood Forest Fire Burn Area which is 40 miles north of Two Harbors. Before heading out on a birding outing, I always check the weather conditions, and sometimes the road reports. Optimal weather in the winter involves both safety, and understanding if I am likely to be successful. My check of the weather this morning put an end to my birding plans … icy roads and low visibility.

The number of weather apps available for either the Android or Apple platform is mind boggling. I will review the app I use, and indicate the aspects of the app I like and why. Obviously other apps may have similar features … the key is does your app provided you with the necessary data. My app is WeaWow (Google Play | Apple App Store). The basic app is free and has no advertisements, but for a small $2 donation you may unlock additional sources used for weather data input.

Click / Press Upon any Image to View at Full Size!

The StartUp Screen & Overview

The Weather Warning from the US Weather Service (based  upon  this  warning  I did  more  research. Not too surprisingly I am very interested in wind speed / direction, cloud cover, and visibility)

Hour by Hour Forecasted Details (my arrows point to information in which I have most interest)

Weather Maps (what is happening right now … rain/ snow and wind are my primary interests)

The weather data concerned me enough I then browsed to Mn511. This service of the State of Minnesota provides current road conditions. I can even look at pictures only  minutes old from snow plow cameras (real cool). Most states have similar services.

Here are two screenshots taken earlier this morning when I decided to cancel my morning birding outing. In summation, use the weather apps / services. I doubt I would have seen anything, and already many car crashes were being reported.

Comment on the Plan to Kill / Shoot Barred Owls

Background, Year 10

The US Fish and Wildlife Service has a draft management plan to kill / shoot Barred Owls to save Spotted Owls in the Pacific Northwest. The Spotted Owl is native to this region, and the Barred Owl is encroaching upon their range. I think this plan is morally wrong. NBC News and others have recently reported about this “draft plan”. You may wish to read their news story about the Spotted and Barred Owl conflict.

It is wrong to kill one bird species to save another. This action will teach Barred Owls to fear humans. In addition it was likely humans who messed up the old growth forest habitat with excessive logging. Should we shoot loggers? While you may not agree with me, anyone may comment upon this proposed owl management plan. The comment period closes on January 16, 2024. Most news stories do not include a direct link to the US Fish and Wildlife Service Draft Plan Comment Page. Here is the link:

  • Comment upon the Barred Owl / Spotted Owl Draft Mgmt Plan

 

Saturday Morning Meanderings … Birds to the Medal of Honor

Background, Year 10

Like most days, I woke up shortly before 5 am this morning, but the 30 mph winds and downpour made the idea of going out with my camera into the forest seem crazy. Thus, given Molly is out of town, I found myself with a free early morning all by myself. Sitting down on the living room couch I decided to learn more about a true American hero, Desmond Doss. Mr. Doss is the only conscientious objector in the history of our nations’ history to win the Medal of Honor.

Photo: Courtesy of the US Army Medical Museum

During the Battle for Okinawa in World War II, Desmond Doss, who was a combat medic, under severe enemy fire “saved the lives of 50–100 wounded infantrymen atop the area known by the 96th Division as the Maeda Escarpment or Hacksaw Ridge”. Doss saved most of those lives after his division had withdrawn from the area, He stayed behind and repeatedly went forth from the ridge’s edge onto the field of battle which the Japanese controlled. Doss found wounded soldiers (even some Japanese … the enemy), treated them, pulled or carried them back to the edge of the ridge to finally lower the wounded over the cliff by rope to safety. There is a rather gruesome movie directed by Mel Gibson about Mr. Doss named Hacksaw Ridge. However, I watched this morning a YouTube show featuring the hero himself.  Here is that TV Show from 1958 about Desmond Doss a 7th Day Adventist … hero and conscientious objector, This is Your Life (YouTube link for email subscribers). It is so worthwhile to watch this show and learn about a combat medic who would not even touch a gun. However, this is NOT an anti gun post, but rather a post about the courage of convictions.

Okay this blog is supposed to be about birds, but every so often I need to go off topic. Remember my post about Mongolian Throat Singing?! However, back to the birds.

I’ve spent a lot of time up in Sax-Zim Bog over the past few days. The combination of grouse and migrating hawks have made for excellent birding opportunities. In fact, Merlins follow the migration south. On several occasions in this week I have watched Northern Flickers being repeatedly attacked by Merlins.

From this week’s birding meanderings …

Broad-Winged Hawk

Ruffed Grouse

Northern Flicker

I hope you enjoyed my going off topic this morning. This has been a memorable week with good birding, watching a bull moose at sunrise and a great northern lights display. That’s it for right now from the Northwoods.