Canosia Ospreys a Courting

Year 11

Eight days ago I noticed that male ospreys had arrived back in the Northland, and specifically the Canosia Wildlife Reserve. The reserve has three osprey nests. I assume these raptors find the fishing in the nearby lakes and ponds stellar. As of this morning, two nest have males “hanging” out, waiting and hoping for females to return north. The nest off Lismore Road must be prime habitat as the male at that nest had already been selected as a mate by a returning female.

Sunday morning I enjoyed watching the ospreys cement their relationship! This nest even has a nearby Great Blue Heron Rookery, and the ospreys did not take kindly when two herons made a pass at their nest. The “fish eagles” attacked instantly! (see the video)

I’m not certain these images and videos were Sunday morning certified, but I had fun watching the pair ospreys before church!

Ospreys Mating

Again?! Yup says the Male!

The Happy Couple! Was it as Good for You?!

Bringing Sticks Post Coupling. I guess the male wants to let his sweetheart understand the depth of his love!

Stick Delivery #1

Stick Delivery #2 (a double! … a stick in each talon)

Stick Delivery #3

Stick Delivery #4

Stick Deliver #5

Ospreys Mating & Nest Building … the Movie! (video link for email subscribers)

Birds / Owlets in the Rain

Year 11,

The weather has been ugly. In addition to the rain, winds have been gusting to just shy of 50 mph in Duluth. This is not weather that Great Horned Owlets love (or me). I took this image of the Amity Owlets early yesterday morning just before leaving for a small cabin on the Mississippi River just north of Dubuque, Iowa.

Great Horned Owlets in the Rain (Day 17 .. 27 days old)

However, the wet weather followed me south. I found many migrating birds hanging out near Dubuque … perhaps their northward migration stalled out at the John Deere Dike Park to await better conditions. It was still wet and windy as I watched a small flock of Great Egrets this morning.

However, we did have some nice sunny warmer weather during the past five days, and of course I also visited the Great Horned Owl nest on those days! The nest is getting real crowded as the owlets grow!

Great Horned Owlets + Mom (Day 14 .. 24 days old)

Great Horned Owlets + Mom (Day 15 .. 25 days old)

One item you may note, birding and photography in the rain and other bad weather often yields interesting images … both the egrets and owls. Don’t always wait for the perfect day to practice your craft!

Blackbacks, Bluebirds and Bears … Oh my!!

Year 11,
  • Blackbacks, Bluebirds and Bears … Oh my!!
  • Blackbacks, Bluebirds and Bears … Oh my!!
  • Blackbacks, Bluebirds and Bears … Oh my!!

Yup, that pretty much sums up the birding over the past few days. Two days ago I hiked from my home through the Lester / Amity Woods over to the Lester Park Golf Course Ponds. Upon approaching the largest and third pond, aside from seeing Tree Swallows for the first time this Spring, I heard Bluebirds singing. Eventually I tracked the singing down to a couple of males chasing one early arriving female. She was not yet choosing a home or making a commitment to a mate. (as a fyi … I have nominated myself to the citizen committee which will help determine the future of Lester Park Golf Course)

Lester Park Ponds Bluebirds

Yesterday I knew it was time to head north of Two Harbors and refill the Greenwood Creek Bog Bird Feeders (learn more about this region) which I maintain.  There is a pair of Black-Backed Woodpeckers thinking of nesting about 500 yards down the trail / forest road #813 from the feeders!

Greenwood Creek Bog Female Black-Backed Woodpecker

And finally … the bears. Momma Bear and her three cubs returned last night after a five day absence. Their visit was obvious when I got up in the morning. Thankfully, I have been able to fix all the damage the bears cause up to this point.

Momma Bear and the Cubs Pull a Tag Team! (video link for email subscribers)