Monthly Archives: February 2016

Norway Bound!

On Monday Molly and I travel to Norway. For the next ten days we will cruise up the coast of Norway from Bergen to Tromso (north of the Arctic Circle) on Hurtigruten, the ferry system which services all the Norwegian coastal towns. Upon reaching Tromso will will Nordic Ski (no races!) by day, and search for the Northern Lights by night! Given early March is not yet migration time, birding opportunities will likely be limited, but I will still keep an eye out for our feathered friends!

Stay tuned to this blog for updates as we ski and search for the Aurora! Yesterday was my last birding day in the USA. I volunteered all day at the Sax-Zim Bog Welcome Center. The number of winter birds is really starting to drop.

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Hairy Woodpecker
Y3-M02-Sax-Zim-Bog-A-Hairy-Woodpecker

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Sharp-Tailed Grouse
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Snowbound! Waiting for Spring

By the end of February the birding picture here in northern Minnesota becomes tough. In fact, it takes both tough birders and birds to hang in there through our deep cold winter. However, when the birds become few and far between, it becomes “exploration time” for me in the wilderness. The Minnesota Arrowhead contains innumerable logging roads which snake their way through the Superior National Forest, and environs. The scenery is gorgeous even if the birds are sparse. This time of year allows me to discover good bird habitat which I then make plans to visit during warmer weather.

All is not black and white in the winter. If you know where to look, flashes of color appear in the forest which was the case with yesterday’s drive / hike in the Sax-Zim Bog. Should you actually be in the Bog tomorrow (Friday, Feb. 26th), stop by at the Welcome Center. I will be your host, and happy to give my latest birding intelligence.

My Morning CommuteCourtesy of the Civilian Conservation Corp.
Near Isabella, Minnesota
Isabella-Logging-Trail-1 Isabella-Logging-Trail-2

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North of Two Harbors (Langley Truck Trail)
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Stewart River Lake Superior Sunrise
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Sax-Zim Bog Evening Grosbeaks
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Sax-Zim Bog Porcupine
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2016 American Birkebeiner (video)

Medical staff to me, do you need help sir? Other than I felt like I wanted to throw up, and my body hurt big time after skiing 35 miles (56 kilometers), the answer was no. Erik, Molly and Katie quickly took all my gear, and another American Birkebeiner was history. Molly and Erik skied well (Katie was not skiing this race), but it was slow and slushy for everyone. Freezing rain during the race makes it hard to see through one’s glasses! The jaunt through the woods of central Wisconsin along with 10,000+ fellow skiers took me just over six hours (in faster conditions, I have skied the same race in 4 hours and 49 minutes).

Yours Truly Finishing the 2016 Birkie (on left) … Main Street on Hayward
Americian-Birkebeiner-2016-Rich-Hoeg

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Video from James Netz Photography … 2016 Birkie Highlights

2016 start and finish highlight from James Netz Photography LLC on Vimeo.