Category Archives: Year 10

Foxes, Barns and Owls … Oh My!

Year 10

Great time this morning … NW of Duluth but not Sax-Zim Bog. Found a fox den and an old barn with a Great Horned Owl. Here are fox kits #1 and #2.

The Fox Den! (two kits)

The Barn! (and the Great Horned Owl)

If the family who owns this barn stops by my blog, I took these two barn / owl photographs from the road with a very long optical zoom lens, plus also having digital zoom enabled. I did not walk your yard other than to drop off my card wedged in your door. (would love permission!).

Beauty in the Countryside

Year 10, ,

Life has been good to this intrepid wildlife lover over the past 48 hours. If viewing the wildflowers (Black Eyes Susans now appearing) as I cruise and walk the backroads and trails were not enough, beautiful birds keep jumping in front of my camera. One HUGE thing I love about northern Minnesota is the serenity and peacefulness I experience. It is not unusual to drive or hike for over 30 minutes without seeing another car on the road or human on the trail. In addition, no matter what you think you may see, nature provides a different playlist. Yesterday evening while birding an old apple farm just before sunset I was hoping to see Barred Owls I know live in the area. However, much to my surprise male Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers kept landing on fence posts a short distance away. I spent over 20 minutes with the sapsuckers!

Of course my own Great Horned Owls have entered into the equation. In the last 48 hours I have taken four hikes in the Lester / Amity Forest, and found the owls every time. The youngsters are now screeching softly as they beg for a meal.  Thus, if you recognize the sound it really helps find the owl family. In addition, the thimbleberry plants where I hike have leafed out and often provide evidence of owl whitewash on green leaves. Two evenings ago I found Mom Owl based upon the whitewash on the thimbleberry plants at the base of a white pine. I stopped, stared up and guess who was staring right down at me?!  I then paid attention to which way mom owl was looking most of the time and the location of one of the owlets was revealed 100 yards distant. 

Of course, even “ugly” can be beautiful. It would appear Turkey Vulture young have fledged if the number of vultures I am seeing now is any indication … and yes … turkey vultures can be beautiful!

Finally, did I mention wildflowers. Apparently Ruffed Grouse also like flowers. I think these yellow flowers are a kind a pea plant that grows commonly up here in the Northland on the sides of the road.

I was out this morning and had more unexpected finds, but that is a story for tomorrow! I need to work on the photographs I took this morning. Stay tuned …

Canosia Wildlife Preserve Osprey Fish Delivery

Year 10

Chicks are hungry, and starting to get BIG! Most of the raptor nests in the Northland are very busy right now, and the parents are having to spend an increasing amount of the day hunting. Within days most of the chicks will be large enough that moms will leave the nests and also start hunting (no need to protect the chicks). Actually with the Canosia Wildlife Preserve Ospreys they are actually fishing. This is just one of three active nests near the preserve.

Although it required over an hour of waiting near the nest, my patience was rewarded when Dad Osprey came flying in with a good sized fish about 8 am. Makes you wonder if he caught and had his breakfast before delivering to the nest?!

Here is the sequence of images documenting the fish delivery. If you maximize the final image you will be able to see two chicks. Wisely they kept low and out of the way till Dad left the nest. The third image best shows the fish in the Osprey’s talons. Enjoy!