Tag Archives: MN North: Sax-Zim Bog

Sax-Zim Bog Snowy Owl

Year 9, ,

Got lucky this morning. I decided even given the high winds to visit Sax-Zim Bog which is 45 minutes from my house. I had heard there was a second Snowy Owl around and it often frequented Sax Road around sunrise. Jackpot! Even though the sky was ugly, a little bit of sun sun actually tried to break through … thus a “white” owl!

Most folks look for Great Gray Owls as a first choice in the Bog, but given my proximity to the Bog, I will leave “old gray” for the crowds of birders. In about a month the Bog becomes mine once more as our winter guests stop visiting.

Yesterday I had thought of visiting the Bog, but when I walked outside, the impending sunrise quickly changed my decision. I took this image at the mouth of the Lester River about 20 minutes prior to sunup. I then spent the next 30 minutes exploring the Lake Superior shore.

The previous day found me checking out the ice conditions over on Wisconsin Point. We get some amazing ice piles as storms push ice down to our end of the lake. The ice mounds won’t totally melt till May.

You should now understand why folks including me call our area the “Arctic Riviera!”

A Barred in the Bog!

Year 9

I broke most of my birding rules this morning, but still used common sense. Yup, I drove over to Sax-Zim Bog even though the winds were already gusting to 35 mph, and were due to increase upwards of 50 mph in the afternoon. Normally, winds like today make for horrible birding. However, I used some common sense. While most folks visit the Bog to hopefully see our Great Gray Owls, I knew that quest would be hopeless given the wind. Great Grays hunt by hearing voles run beneath the snow. Strong winds make hearing very difficult.

Instead I focused my birding on areas that were somewhat wind protected, and also looked for “sight based hunters”. While Barred Owls definitely use their hearing to hunt, these owls also hunt by sight. I found this individual in a protected area. Both the owl and I could feel the wind, but were somewhat protected. It was a fun morning, and given the temperatures will be dropping and winds will be increasing through the day … getting out seemed like a good idea.

One more fact, when I first saw the Barred Owl it was about 150 yards distant from me. Even though there was a well packed path through the snow, I hiked off trail through snow up to my thighs. This allowed me to obliquely approach the bird, stopping frequently to allow the owl to accept my presence. Ultimately I approached to within 60 yards. Walking directly towards the owl would have definitely spooked the bird.

The images are in the sequence as I approached closer to the owl.

Barred Owl Hunting (video link for email subscribers)

Visiting Sax-Zim Bog During Covid

Year 9

Just a fyi … an update as of January 18th, only one individual or family group will be allowed in the Sax-Zim Bog Welcome Center at a time due to the present Covid surge. In addition, volunteers like myself will not be present, and only one staff naturalist. The bird feeders will remained filled, so it is still worth visiting, but please realize if another family group is in the Center, you will not be allowed to go inside. Masks are required in the Welcome Center. Most importantly, the outhouse remains open!