Tag Archives: MN North: Sax-Zim Bog

Sax-Zim Bog Success!

Year 7

Birding was tough yesterday. Although the weather was calm with lots of nice sun, the birds were not overly cooperative which begs the question … why was this excursion a success??? The answer is contained in this text my wife while birding: “I can see what I am not seeing!”. Vision is precious. My thanks my buddy, Jeff M., who met me in the Bog and then we birded together in his car letting me focus upon birding and not driving.

Although the birds were not willing to pose for this intrepid outdoorsman / photographer, it’s hard to spend an entire day in Sax-Zim Bog and not get a few photo opps.

Gray Jays (now known as a Canada Jay)

Snowy Owl on a Stick (waaaay out in the Byrns Greenhouse Fields)

Ruffed Grouse

Christmas Owl!

Year 6

Were you expecting a partridge in a pear tree, or two turtle doves? If so, you are reading the wrong blog! Merry Christmas!

My thanks to everyone who has reached out to insure I spend lots of time birding this winter. It helps me to stay positive. Even with poor vision that effectively made me blind for over 70% of my trip, I managed a two hour walk this afternoon. It allowed me to purchase gifts for my wife who has been a blessing during my initial battle with Blepharospasm. Enjoy the spirit of Christmas.

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