Tag Archives: MN North: Sax-Zim Bog

Sunshine Owls!

Year 7,

Sun returned to the Northland today, and cold weather. I made a brief trip up to Sax-Zim Bog and the temperature bottomed out at 10F (-12C). Given the strong winds out of the Northeast the past few days, there has been little to no migration northward. Other than one lone Wood Duck, I saw almost zippo.

Thankfully upon returning home, I was able to take a hike and visit my owl family. Although the air temperature was still brisk (20F), everyone was basking in the sun. Twice I saw Poppa Owl chase crows away from the nesting area. In addition, one of the little guys popped up and allowed me a brief photo. I’ll take another hike over late this aftenoon when the sun angle will be more in my favor.

Great Horned Owl Chick

Poppa Owl

Sax-Zim Bog Wood Duck

New Life in the Northland!

Year 7,

I was lazy this morning. Rather than getting up to Sax-Zim Bog at sunrise (about 6:50 am), I did not even leave home till 7:10.  I decided today would NOT be a morning to hang out with Great Gray Owls (shortly after sunrise these birds call it quits till near sundown). Instead I was hoping some Spring weather patterns might bring early migrants.

While I was somewhat successful, the number of birds in the Bog was small. I finally found this pair of Trumpeter Swans at the only open water present, and that was not much (about 30 x 100 yards at an outlet to a lake). When another flocked of swans flew overhead these two birds made it obvious more swans was not a desirable outcome. This was their territory.

Upon getting home I took my daily hike over to my Great Horned Owl family. It is amazing to see how fast the owlettes are growing. This youngster posed for me with Mom. No problem maintain my social distance. I was by myself the entire time.

Birthday Bald Eagles (and Hawk Owl)

Year 7

Today is my 64th birthday … kind of strange with Coronavirus. Family can not come over. Oh well … there is still birding! I spent the morning in Sax-Zim Bog, and then came home to bicycle along the North Shore of Lake Superior. I finished the afternoon with hike over to my own Great Horned Owls (not owlets yet … or they are hiding under Mom). It was a fun day, just not what I would planned a few weeks ago.

Birthday Bald Eagles (all different birds migrating into the Northland)

Pine Tree Bird

Railroad Bird

Cedars Take-Off Bird

Not to be outdone, I found a Northern Hawk Owl. If I can still find it by April 7th it might actually be nesting! I was lucky the temperature was still below freezing (30F) and the sun had just come out. I was able to mostly walk on top of the crust. When I broke through the snow was still two feet deep. After spending 20 minutes with this owl, I decided I had better hoof it back to the road before the hike would become a real slog (i.e. each step would break through the crusted snow).

I have higher resolution versions of all these images, but I decided to optimize this post for faster loading.