The huge flock of Bohemian Waxwings continues to move around about ten miles north of Duluth. Today the birds had descended upon an old berry / crabapple farm. When I first found the birds this morning, it was gloomy with a snow squall in progress. Three hours later when a weather front had blown through, the temperature has drop from 33F to 14F along with a 25 mph wind and sun. Not really sure how many waxwings are in the total flock, but it is over 1,000 birds. A few years ago the Bohemian Waxwing was my nemesis bird, and I could not find even one individual. I never expected to see a flock this big in my life. The invasion from Canada of Boreal Birds continues (sorry Don … no Boreal Owls!).

Eating some Crabapples

Sloppy Seconds (eating fruit that has fallen onto the snow)

Bohemian Waxwings Wing Markings (Cedar Waxwings do not have yellow on their wings, and they are smaller)

Early Morning (small part of flock … maximize photo to see crabapple tree in foreground with waxwings)

Flock on the move (morning and afternoon … video link one and two for email subscribers)

I’ve been spending a lot of time up in the Superior National Forest for many reasons. The Hoar Frost has been dumbfoundingly beautiful for over a week, and there are quite a few Gray Gray Owls. Unfortunately for the first time since well before Christmas the temperature rose above freezing … melting hoar frost and snow off pine trees. The artist in me was in love with the conditions. However all good things must end.

Early yesterday morning I came across some friends who were banding a Great Gray Owl. I appreciate their research. It was fun to touch the owl … look at its ears … and count wing bands to determine age. The owl was also checked for general health (good) and many other items which were all recorded. A Great Gray Owl has an amazing amount of down, which is required to survive our northern winters where temperatures may fall below -20F.

Here is the subject of the banding effort … a 3rd year female.

You might also enjoy this video (link for email subscribers) of Denver Holt from the Owl Institute as he bands a Great Gray Owl family in much warmer conditions. The Owl Institute does great research and I am personally a donor.

In total over the past two days, I have seen 10 unique owls … 8 Great Gray Owls and 2 Snowy Owls. The images below unfortunately were taken without hoar frost. Either the birds were not cooperative with their perches, or it was in the afternoon after the frost had melted. Still a great time!

Hunt #1: Great Gray Owl Sunset Hunt

Hunt #2: The Strike! (Notice how the owl is striking the snow with its talens. It uses its offset ear and trigonometry to triangulate a mouse or vole running beneath the snow. Thus, death smashes through the snow from above.)

Backlit! (taking images directly into the setting sun can be rewarding)

A Snowy Owl (immature male shopping at Menards!)(LOL … its perch)