Great news! Sparky Stensaas just announced the first HUGE purchase of land in the Bog is a done deal. This includes Admiral Rd. and Hwy 7! Parts of McDavitt Rd are included with hopefully more to come soon. Thanks to anyone who donated. I think everyone knows I am both a volunteer naturalist as well as donor to Bog projects. The area in yellow is the land purchase.
Sorry the owlets eating crow video link for email subscribers was not actually included in yesterday’s post. Here is that link.
I am out of town for a couple of days as we celebrate the outdoor baptism of my youngest grandchild, Bode! This Mother’s Day Weekend let me wish all you Moms a spectacular day. Our family will have four generations together and the weather forecast looks perfect for our celebration this afternoon in a local park.
Per my norm, before getting on the road yesterday I hiked over to my Great Horned Owls. Just like my own family, Mom owl was back on the nest at sunrise, and I took this family portrait of her with the twin owlets.
Later Mom posed by herself in the early light of the day.
The past 24 hours have also been a learning experience for the owlets. Have you ever seen an owl being mobbed by a “murder of crows“? There is a good reason why crows hate owls, and want to drive them out of the neighborhood. At night Great Horned Owls pick off crows out of their nests for tasty meals. Here are some photos and a short video taken the prior night at sunset of the owlets enjoying some of their first taste of crow. I normally have a pretty good idea of what has been on the menu by virtue of what I find under the nest on the ground. (video link for email subscribers)
Sorry my fingers pressed publish too quickly with the prior post. As noted a day or two back I am having issues with my computer. The short term solution challenges me.
Perhaps I also should have named this post Raptor Rhapsody! Yesterday was nature’s music, and finally there were major signs of spring in the Northland. While Lake Superior’s water is still hanging in there in the high 30’s F., and none of the local lakes have yet experienced ice out (anyone for ice fishing opening weekend??!), there were definitely signs that made a person smile:
Here is Steamshovel Sally’s cousin during a take-off. The ospreys live about five miles apart. (last image is a preening fluffle) 
Notice the difference between the first photographs and the very last image of the Great Horned Owl family. Mom is missing! By this morning she was back on the nest, but the owlets are large enough now that both owl parents must hunt to take care of the growing family. In the first three images the largest owlet is having some lunch, and based upon its talon the youngster is NOT sharing with its sibling. 
Lunch time videos … white noise are the rapids right next to the nest, and the wind gusting in off Lake Superior. (video links for email subscribers: one | two)
This Bald Eagle is at the “Frito Bandito” stage. The coloration of its plumage suggests this bird is between 3 and 4 years old, and will soon be an adult with a white head and tail.
Finally … I LOVE this sign because is says ME all over it! Somewhere in the boreal forest of northeastern Minnesota on a very remote dirt road this morning.
