Tag Archives: MN North: Sax-Zim Bog

The Birding Doldrums

Year 7

Yup … here in northern Minnesota we have definitely entered that period … The Birding Doldrums. Our summer visitors are now all gone, and our winter friends have not arrived. Until nasty weather arrives just north of us in Canada, the birds which consider our region an “Arctic Riviera Vacation” will not push south. I have seen two Snow Buntings, and I have heard of one or two Northern Shrikes being spotted, but …

Even knowing my chances for seeing birds was limited, I spent hours in Sax-Zim Bog over the past two days. The Tamarack Pine needles are at peak which are a golden gift to the eyes. Yesterday morning shortly after sunrise this was my view on McDavitt Road. I could not have been happier … even without a decent bird sighting. I head down to the Twin Cities today for my bi-monthly eye treatment. One year ago today, I did not know if I would be able to experience views like this ever again in my life. Life is good!

And yet more Fall Colors!

Year 7,

Rain drenched birds! Once I got home from my morning trip to Sax-Zim Bag, the drizzle arrived. For the past few days I have tried unsuccessfully to photograph a male purple finch against the Mountain Maples in my yard. Finally, in the rain, I succeeded! (okay … against Aspen leaves, not the brilliant red maples … oh well.)

And of course … the blue parade continues … just a wet parade.

Finally, I forgot to include this Red-Tailed Hawk photo I took up in the Bog this morning. This raptor took over the hunting duties when the owls went to bed!

Fall Colors Continued … Great Gray Owl!

Year 7
While for many folks, the fog over the past two days in northern Minnesota might be a bummer, it represented a “low light opportunity” for me to go “owling”. The combination of wet, damp nights made me believe my friends might be out hunting long past sunrise.
I planned my arrivals in Sax-Zim Bog to correspond for my best estimate as to when the thick fog would be lifting (around 9 am). I was rewarded with watching Great Grays hunt three different times over the past two days … as late as 11:00 am.
The “colors” in these images are the needles of Tamarack Pines which are one of two common trees in a bog habitat. Unlike most pine and spruce trees, Tamarack Pines lose all their needles each fall. The first two weeks of October generally represents a majestic golden time of year. People tend to focus upon Sugar Maples in the Fall for their brilliant red leaves, but a sunset or sunrise against the golden Tamarack needles is heavenly. One other side benefit is for a person with a beat up body (see bottom of linked post) from a bicycle crash, slow hiking dirt roads while owling is a perfect activity!