Category Archives: Year 10

Make Way for Mergansers!

Year 10

Obviously a take off the classic children’s book by Robert McCloskey, Make Way for Ducklings (Wikipedia link). Perhaps you would like your memory refreshed about the duck family’s search for a home (YouTube link for email subscribers)

In my case, it is the Common Merganser family of Lester River. Momma duck eventually would like to get the ducklings out into Lake Superior, but at such an early age the waves would be to strong for her chicks. Thus, the Merganser Family stays near the mouth of the Lester River where I found them towards the end of yesterday afternoon’s bike ride. This morning the family was sunning on the gravel bar at the river’s mouth.

Make Way for Common Mergansers!

Motoring Around the River

Rest Time

Feeding Time Again!

FuzzBall and Junior … Back Together Again!

Year 10

After almost one month apart due to FuzzBall taking a dive to the forest floor at a very early age, I was finally able to capture them somewhat close to one another. The Amity Creek Great Horned Owlet Twins likely are hanging together because they want to be first when the “gravy train” arrives. Actually, Momma Owl was sitting in the same white pine but 40 feet higher. The youngsters could not see their parent, and thus did not beg.

The skies were “blah” due to all the Canadian forest fire smoke. In theory we have zero clouds today in terms of moisture.

FuzzBall up High – Junior down Low!

Lots of sleeping around 10 am (Junior, then FuzzBall)

Finally awake

Bookending the Northern Night: Owls at Sunset & Sunrise

Year 10,

Yesterday evening I put on full mosquito gear and hiked back into the Bog. I was rewarded when a Great Gray Owl flew over near me and landed only 20 yards away. It totally ignored my presence while hunting. Listen to the soundtrack to get an idea of the mosquitoes … it was horrible (video link for email subscribers).

This morning I was hiking by 5:30 am and quickly discovered Junior had fledged overnight! Both Great Horned Owlets are now flying. I found the entire family this morning, Mom, Dad and both owlets. For the first time since FuzzBall fell from the nest four weeks ago, the owlets were reunited! Here is na image I took of Momma Great Horned Owl on guard at sunrise this morning … crows were present. Now that the Great Horned Owl family has left their nest, I can reveal for three months they were living only 25 yards from the end of my driveway!!!