Tag Archives: MN North: Amity

Beauty in the Countryside

Year 10, ,

Life has been good to this intrepid wildlife lover over the past 48 hours. If viewing the wildflowers (Black Eyes Susans now appearing) as I cruise and walk the backroads and trails were not enough, beautiful birds keep jumping in front of my camera. One HUGE thing I love about northern Minnesota is the serenity and peacefulness I experience. It is not unusual to drive or hike for over 30 minutes without seeing another car on the road or human on the trail. In addition, no matter what you think you may see, nature provides a different playlist. Yesterday evening while birding an old apple farm just before sunset I was hoping to see Barred Owls I know live in the area. However, much to my surprise male Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers kept landing on fence posts a short distance away. I spent over 20 minutes with the sapsuckers!

Of course my own Great Horned Owls have entered into the equation. In the last 48 hours I have taken four hikes in the Lester / Amity Forest, and found the owls every time. The youngsters are now screeching softly as they beg for a meal.  Thus, if you recognize the sound it really helps find the owl family. In addition, the thimbleberry plants where I hike have leafed out and often provide evidence of owl whitewash on green leaves. Two evenings ago I found Mom Owl based upon the whitewash on the thimbleberry plants at the base of a white pine. I stopped, stared up and guess who was staring right down at me?!  I then paid attention to which way mom owl was looking most of the time and the location of one of the owlets was revealed 100 yards distant. 

Of course, even “ugly” can be beautiful. It would appear Turkey Vulture young have fledged if the number of vultures I am seeing now is any indication … and yes … turkey vultures can be beautiful!

Finally, did I mention wildflowers. Apparently Ruffed Grouse also like flowers. I think these yellow flowers are a kind a pea plant that grows commonly up here in the Northland on the sides of the road.

I was out this morning and had more unexpected finds, but that is a story for tomorrow! I need to work on the photographs I took this morning. Stay tuned …

Getting Reacquainted With My Local Owls

Year 10

Look who greeted me yesterday evening shortly before sunset! Do you think FuzzBall missed me given I had been up at Lake Vermilion for eight days? (quite frankly it might be Junior … I can’t tell anymore).

Actually earlier in the afternoon I found Mom Great Horned Owl on one of her favorite perches. Although I paid close attention to where she was looking, I could not yet find the youngsters. Obviously later in the day on another hike I did find the owlets.

Finally, this morning I was hiking by 6:40. Although it took almost 90 minutes I eventually found the owl family, but none of the birds wanted to pose for pictures. Thankfully, the owlets now screech out loud as long assuming the sun has barely risen. Their begging told me where to search, but even given that fact it is amazing how they can hide in tall white pines.

Four Months of FuzzBall and Friends!

Year 10

I lied! I said no more posts before heading to Lake Vermilion, but it is now four months that I have watched FuzzBall and family. I first found the nest location during a blizzard back in early March. Although I had taken a huge number of hikes in the dark listening to the evening hoot, it was when during a snowstorm I went outside on my deck and realized I could hear the Great Horned Owl parents hooting back and forth during the blizzard. The owls had to be nesting very near my house or I would not have been able to hear them over the howling wind. I took these images the next morning when the storm lessened up considerably.

Last night  I had intended to just rest on the couch and then watch with Molly an episode of Alone. After all, I had been up before dawn … birded the Wisconsin Grasslands … took a 12 mile bike ride and am still even recovering from Lyme disease, but noooooo! While stretched out on the couch I kept hearing a few crows giving grief to my owl friends (remember, I speak crow). I decided the nice evening light demanded that I take an evening hike and attempt to find FuzzBall.

After a one mile walk, I did in fact find one of the two owlets (plus two other trees with new whitewash). Here are last night’s efforts.

The star of the show … the sun would set within five minutes.

Short video of the owlet (video link for email subscribers)