Tag Archives: MN South: Minneapolis

Long-Eared Owl Family

Year 8

Friday night just before sunset I first saw the entire Long-Eared Owl family. All three owlets were still in the nest with both parents nearby. I decided Sunday afternoon to delay our drive back north to Duluth and look for these cool birds one more time. After significant hiking in the woods I found Mom, Dad and one owlet. The youngsters have now left the nest and are branching. Given how heavily treed the thicket in which the owls nested, the owlets are able to walk quite a ways from branch to branch. Although 2 pm in the afternoon is not a good time to see owls, as they are very drowsy, I had a great time.

My final comment is I had always thought Long-Eared Owls were large, but I was mistaken. Compared to Great Horned Owls, the parents are much smaller. However, compared to a Screech Owl they are much bigger. Thus, I now would describe them having finally seen the owls as “medium sized”.

Long-Eared Owlet

Dad (sort of awake)

Mom (sleeping)

Birding with Grampa

Year 8,

I took my two oldest grandchildren (out of six) birding yesterday afternoon. This activity has become a favorite of theirs, and I have learned how to bird with young children! Just last week these two grandkids asked that “Grammy and Grampa Camp” this summmer might include birding excursion (yes!). Here is what goes into a successful birding expedition with very young children:

  1. Doughnut holes
  2. Birds that may be easily seen (not the rare Kookamunga bird
  3. Playgrounds
  4. Short drives / time in the car

Yesterday fit that billing, even if I did not have the expected doughnut holes. We normally bird in the morning, but our expedition did not start till 2 pm. I told Ben and Mya that eating lots of doughnut holes late in the afternoon would ruin their supper, and that their mom (my daughter) would not be pleased. This led to a comical discussion about whether we knew what supper would be that evening. Apparently if the dinner menu was not to be enjoyed, the doughnut holes should still be consumed. Here is a picture from last year’s Grammy and Grampa Camp … the North Shore of Lake Superior in June with Lupine.

As I stated, our birding was a success. We saw lots of birds, but here are a few comments:

  • All ducklings are of the same species
  • Turtles are as interesting as Great White Egrets
  • Mosquitoes mean one should not hike to see an owl getting mobbed by crows

From yesterday …

Hooded Merganser Duckling (I’m impressed … for the kids, just another duckling)

Great Egret with Turtles (As noted, the turtles were as important as seeing the egret)

Finally, I did got birding by myself at sunrise. Although not a life, I found a Blue Grosbeak … only the third sighting in my life. One would never see this bird species up in the Boreal Forest.

Poppa Owl Horns (Long Eared and Great Horned)

Year 8,

Last night at sunset was magic, and a lifer for me … a Long-Eared Owl. At sunrise I had spent time with Poppa Great Horned Owl. Even though I had never seen a Long-Eared Owl before, I knew it was the poppa. Mom was sitting over at the nest with the owlets. Compare the “horns” between the two species of owls. I find the horns of the Great Horned Owl are actually longer.

This video was taken moments before Poppa Long-Eared Owl flew off to start the evening hunt (video link for email subscribers)