Tag Archives: Norway

Northern Hawk Owl Logging Adventure

Year 6,

Birds are opportunists, particularly in winter when food is scarce. Two days ago I found this Northern Hawk Owl in the Bog camped out across the road from a logging operation. I have to assume the owl was waiting for trees to crash down and scare voles … easy pickings. Last winter I found a Snowy Owl which was also availing itself of logging operation. While N=2, which is not a huge sample, I am willing to go with this conclusion. Otherwise I can not understand why a bird would put up with the activity and racket.

Northern Hawk Owl

When it clouded over and I decided to leave (not the owl), I took a photograph of the logging in progress. There was actually cutting going on much closer to the owl and me.

Finally a flashback. Given my eye problems which restricts my vision and ability to be out in the field (I need rides), I taught myself how to grab single images from movies. Here are two photos I extracted from the Red-Throated Loons I watched this summer in Norway.

It was really nice to end my independent era with a Northern Hawk Owl, my signature bird. The trip to the Bog taught me that until I am able to start the medical treatment (January 20th) for my poor vision, I must give up driving. In the interim, I am researching Duluth bus routes, UBER, and a paid personal driver (my favorite option). My top Christmas present would be that the Botox injections will deaden certain nerve transmissions and return my vision close to normal. If any of my readers are remotely interested in working for me as a driver ($20/hour), please reach out. Trips might include taking me up to Sax-Zim Bog to miscellaneous jaunts around Duluth. My contact information … RichardHoeg(at)GMail.Com

Team Norway Cycling Team!

Year 6

Perhaps my final Norwegian post?! We arrived home in Minnesota last Tuesday in the wee hours of the morning. Still Processing images.

Molly and me in our official cycling garb

Hurtigruten arriving in Kirkenes the morning after we had arrived. I was up birding on a mountain overlooking the fjord. The coastal ferry is a great way to see Norway. It sails from Bergen all the way up to Kirkenes in the Arctic near the Russian border.

The sun went away mid morning, but I still enjoyed these Moose and Whooper Swan Families

Is Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer an Impostor?!

Year 6

Don’t let young children under the age of seven learn the contents of this post! Santa’s reindeer are NOT boys!!! They’re girls!  Read on below the photos, but here are some Reindeer images I took last week near the North Cape of Norway … Nordkapp.

Yup, I learned this fact about antlers from the Norwegian locals while up in the Arctic. Apparently male reindeer lose their antlers before the winter, while female reindeer keep their antlers (postulate: to defend their young). At Christmas, only girl reindeer would have antlers.

Thus, when Santa calls out in the classic poem… Twas the Night before Christmas:

  • Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
    On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!
  • To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
    Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!

He should really be saying something like:

  • Now, Diane! now, Dancer! now, Princess and Vivian!
    On, Carol! on Kristi! on, Debby and Betty!

I guess Rudolph should be named Rita!

Some Sea Eagle (White-Tailed Eagles) images from the same day near the North Cape of Norway (Nordkapp)