That “owl guy” is not giving me credit. He posted first this evening about that other owl which hunted in his yard … a Yard Bird Great Gray Owl. I mean … really … I was hunting within 1.5 miles of the Hoeg’s home. Shouldn’t that trump an ordinary Great Gray Owl.
Boreal Owl … almost a Yard Bird (hunting near Rich’s house)
The Movie! (video link for email blog subscribers)
Still Images!
My wife, Molly (the non birder), noticed our visitor first. I have been telling friends I would consider this Winter an owl irruption in Northeastern Minnesota when and if we had a yard bird Great Gray Owl. This evening that historic event occurred! The photographs and video were taken after sunset.
I am actually falling way behind on potential posts. This afternoon in a little over one hour I saw five owls … including two species including a Boreal Owl. Regardless … Rich’s Yard Bird Great Gray Owl (video link for blog email subscribers)
And some still images of our visitor. In the final image, the owl did not move far but was no longer to obtain a contrast against the evening sky … 
We celebrated a late Christmas with my daughter and her family two evenings ago, but we had to be back to Duluth by last night such that I could participate in this year’s Isabella Christmas Bird Count. This is the 125th year of the count, which makes it the longest running citizen science research project in the world. As I type this blog post at 6:30 a.m. I am noting the temperature inland is -12F (not including chill factor). Needless to say I am wearing many layers of clothes and will have goggles should I find myself hiking in open spaces. If you want to learn more about the Christmas Bird Count, Science Friday has an excellent piece on their show yesterday (link to Science Friday podcast)
Just like I had a Christmas treat of Barn Owls while visiting one of my sons this Christmas while out in Seattle. While down in the Twin Cities a friend told me where to hike and see some Long Eared Owls. It was a brisk 1.5 mile walk, but very worthwhile.
Minneapolis Long-Eared Owls 
Owl #1
Owl #2
Time to leave for Isabella …