Tag Archives: MN North: Hartley Nature Center

Lester Amity Great Horned Owl Family

May 16, 2019Year 6MN North: Amity, MN North: Hartley Nature Centerrichardhoeg@gmail.com

All birding is special, but some days are MUCH more special.

Mr. and Mrs. Great Horned Owl would like to present “Junior” to the world. The happy couple started dating last Fall, and would often sing back and forth to each other … sometimes in my very own yard! Over the course of the winter the relationship grew stronger and the couple cemented the bond in early March!

This winter I often hiked or skied the area where I believed Les and Amy were hanging out. Occasionally I would get a quick glimpse of the owls at sunset. Yesterday evening at sunset I finally found “the tree”. The main clues were whitewash and feathers at the base of a white pine. A bit after sunrise this morning I found the nest. The names of these two parent owls are taken from the two rivers in the area … Les for the Lester River, and Amy for Amity Creek. I am thrilled! By yesterday evening given all my previous hikes (and skies) I was focusing my search upon an area 300×300 yards.

I have found and photographed other owls on their nests in my life, but I have such a personal connection with these birds. I can not begin to count how many times I heard this pair singing this winter … thus truly special for me. Obviously the owls knew I was visiting their section of the woods. Given all the crows and ravens in the area, the Mom does not stray far from Junior.

Mrs. Great Horned Owl (Amy) and Junior

Junior

Oh yes … I also found a Blackburnian Warbler in Hartley Park this morning. Normally, just finding and photographing this kind of warbler would make for a great day …

Rocky Mountain High: Calliope Hummingbird

June 14, 2016Year 3MN North: Hartley Nature Center, MN North: Minnesota Pointrichardhoeg@gmail.com

Sunday’s thunder storms brought a rare visitor to Duluth, Minnesota at the head of Lake Superior. For only the second time in known history a visit by a Calliope Hummingbird has graced our state, and the first male in full breeding plumage! This bird should be hanging out in the Rocky Mountains, or even further west. (Cornell Ornithology Lab Information)

Actually it’s kind of amazing this small bird was even found. It’s hanging out at the end of Park Point in an area with tons of blooming shrubs, and some protection from Lake Superior’s strong northeast winds. Quite the celebrity … this little bird … while I was there four people from the Twin Cities arrived (175 miles to our south) just in the hopes of seeing this beautiful bird.

Calliope Hummingbird (2 Videos … preening and sitting … the bouncing branches courtesy of Lake Superior’s strong winds, even in a protected thicket)

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Some still images of the Calliope Hummingbird

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Finally … An American Redstart (lots of color in the Northwoods!)

Sing Out for Summer … Part 4 (American Redstart)

June 10, 2016Year 3MN North: Hartley Nature Centerrichardhoeg@gmail.com

Another day, another warbler! Today I spent some time over at Hartley Nature Center. The small stream that is below the dam is a favorite for warblers (the thicket of trees immediately below the dam, and continuing for about 100 yards). Found this female Redstart and her mate, but only catch the female on my camera. At one point the male landed 10 inches from my head, and hung on the branch for about 5 seconds!

I also enjoyed this male Common Yellowthroat. These birds are often so deep in the heavy grass surrounding streams and swamps one never gets to see them, but you also “hear” them!

American Redstart (female) Sing Out for Summer!