Category Archives: Year 9

Unexpected Owl Sightings

Year 9

Followed the crows this morning and got a surprise. I was expecting to find my local great Horned Owls which tend to like this particular pine thicket. In fact last night around 9 pm, I listened to the GHO’s mutual love serenade at the almost identical spot. Thus, seeing this Barred Owl at 7:30 am was NOT expected. My local owls which nest nearby are more than capable of killing the Barred.

Trying to Get Some Sleep … At 14 seconds the crows get the owl’s attention (video link for email subscribers)

The Amity Owls!

Year 9

There is a lot of news about my local Amity Owls!

  1. The parent Great Horned Owls will begin nesting within a few days. “Les” (as in Lester River) and “Amy” (as in Amity Creek) were hooting up a storm when I went hiking last night at 9pm. I enjoyed standing under one of their favorite trees in the park and enjoying their evening serenade.
  2. My children’s picture book: Do You Hoot?, has been nominated for the Northeastern Minnesota Book Award. In the past the awards were sponsored by the University of Minnesota, but this year introduces the Lake Superior Writers non profit as the award’s new sponsor. My book documents the story of three owlet’s growing up in our local forest two years ago. Remember, anyone may download a free full version PDF copy of the book.
  3. Drink some JAVA … enjoy the owls! Yup, you may now read Do You Hoot? at Duluth Lakeside’s Amity Coffee. The coffee shop is right next to the US Post Office on Superior Street.
  4. In addition to drinking some JAVA, consider walking over to Lakeside’s Duluth Studio Market where you will also find my books. This cool little store support local artisans (and authors), and you will find nice craftwork and art on display.

It is my pleasure to support these super small businesses which are part of my neighborhood.

This is now the fourth year I have followed Les and Amy, the parent Great Horned Owls, as they raise a family. Over the past three years, this duo has successfully raised 8 owlets! Browse on over to the Do You Hoot? web page to read blog posts and watch videos about the owlets. You will also find a download link to get your free full version PDF copy.

This framed image is now on display at Amity Coffee!

Sax-Zim Bog Snowy Owl

Year 9, ,

Got lucky this morning. I decided even given the high winds to visit Sax-Zim Bog which is 45 minutes from my house. I had heard there was a second Snowy Owl around and it often frequented Sax Road around sunrise. Jackpot! Even though the sky was ugly, a little bit of sun sun actually tried to break through … thus a “white” owl!

Most folks look for Great Gray Owls as a first choice in the Bog, but given my proximity to the Bog, I will leave “old gray” for the crowds of birders. In about a month the Bog becomes mine once more as our winter guests stop visiting.

Yesterday I had thought of visiting the Bog, but when I walked outside, the impending sunrise quickly changed my decision. I took this image at the mouth of the Lester River about 20 minutes prior to sunup. I then spent the next 30 minutes exploring the Lake Superior shore.

The previous day found me checking out the ice conditions over on Wisconsin Point. We get some amazing ice piles as storms push ice down to our end of the lake. The ice mounds won’t totally melt till May.

You should now understand why folks including me call our area the “Arctic Riviera!”