Tag Archives: MN North: Sax-Zim Bog

Holiday Colors Bog Birding!

Year 9

As I drove over to the Bog yesterday morning (fun time birding), in the pre-dawn light I remarked to myself … wow … the Lutheran Church in Canyon on hwy #53 as you reach the Bog is a holiday card in and of itself. On the way home I stopped and took a photo when the sun was out!

While the GGO’s were only barely cooperative, I had a great time with the post storm fantastic sun, flocked now on trees and other kinds of birds!

Evening Grosbeaks early yesterday morning at the Welcome Center

Ring-Necked Pheasants a bit south of Meadowlands (observe the photos closely … the number of pheasants in each image is “2, 3 and 3”)

Owls, Eagles & Kayaks

Year 9,

Although this morning would be another grand morning to search for hungry raptors, I need to be at home to sign for a package … a new tool for my birding quiver … a folding kayak. Oru Kayak makes a boat that folds up Origami style, and only weighs 25 pounds. The theory is I can easily throw this kayak in the back of my Subaru Outback, and area lakes and streams will now be even more available to me. It is my combined Christmas & Birthday present. I will post a review when our “white water” disappears this spring. In the meantime, I am acquiring the Beach LT model. Here is a video review from a gentleman who has 53k subscribers to his YouTube channel (video link for email subscribers)

However, now on to the star of our show, the Great Gray Owl. I promised more images from yesterday morning’s hunt up in Sax-Zim Bog.

Great Gray Take-Off (unsuccessful hunt)

Great Gray Owl Post Blizzard Winter Scenes (maximizing images is recommended)

And now back to our Bald Eagle Food Fight from the prior afternoon … Sharing is NOT allowed.

This is how it started!

This is how it ended!

Christmas Owl!

Year 9

This week saw us experience a HUGE blizzard up here in the Northland. Depending upon your elevation and downwind location from Lake Superior, snow totals were from 20 to 30 inches of snow. Weather conditions were finally supposed to moderate early this morning with calm winds. Given raptors are not able to effectively hunt during a blizzard, I thought that Great Gray Owls would be hungry after over two days of not eating.

Jackpot! I watched this Great Gray hunt for over 75 minutes well after sunrise this morning. More images will be coming from my time with “gray”, but for now … Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.