Category Archives: Year 7

Snowy Owl Sunset!

Year 7

Yesterday was a sunset I will never forget! I had heard there was a male Snowy Owl hanging out just south of Sax-Zim Bog. As much as Great Gray Owls are cool, I personally LOVE Snowies, and male Snowy Owls are particularly rare. Thus, be forewarned this this blog post has lots of photographs. There was a -15F chill factor (4F actual) out in the open, and boy was I exposed to the wind yesterday afternoon, but it was worth every moment!

When I first found this Snowy Owl it was on top of a tall power pole and then 400 yards away … very distant in a field

I waited in my car for 30 minutes, and then, thankfully, the Snowy then moved a whole lot closer!

At one point, it landed in a dirt road. Apparently this is “the look” you give a Bald Eagle as it slowly glides within 50 feet of you which says … Don’t even think about attacking me!

For all the times I have watched Snowy Owls in industrial locations. It was so nice to spend time with this owl out in the countryside … it’s favorite perch was this pine tree.

When I left for home at sunset, I was so cold from standing outside in the cold wind that I had the car’s heater on full blast with my heated seats also warming me (I almost never use the heated seats). When I got home after my hour drive, I even took a hot bath! Life is good.

A Barred Owl for Grampa!

Year 7
So … I was sort of bummed yesterday and today because Snowy Owls had finally made an appearance in the Duluth area. However, our daughter and her family had self-isolated such that my wife and I could visit her family … including four of my six grandchildren.
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I wasn’t really bummed, but I was jealous of my friends who were watching Snowies all this weekend. Anyhow … about 50 minutes ago my oldest granddaughter came inside from playing and called out to me: “Grampa: There is an owl in the yard! Do you want to see?!”
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Umm … my winter jacket was on in less than an instant. Watching this Barred Owl hunt with my daughter, grandchildren and wife was extra special. It was already past sunset, but given the location … I know this owl will hunt this frozen pond again real soon.

Turkey Time

Year 7

I am jealous of my friends who are hanging out with Snowy Owls, which have suddenly arrived in northern Minnesota. However, when your daughter and her family are willing to “self-isolate” in order to allow Molly and me to have a safe visit, birding should play second fiddle(and it did). I photographed this turkey during a few snow flurries this afternoon as the gobblers visited my daughter’s house. Notice how there is no snow on the ground here in southern Minnesota. Strange.

We head back north tomorrow, and I will be out searching for Snowy Owls.  Perhaps this turkey knows my family plans to have prime rib for Christmas dinner. Thus, we are safe!