Winter is broken! Yesterday when I started birding in Sax-Zim Bog the temperature was -5F, but by the time I go home at 1pm the sun was high in the sky and the temperature had soared to 29F. Thus, I took a bicycle ride along the frozen shores of Lake Superior (my first of 2019). Today it was 10F when I left to watch a Snowy Owl at sunrise, and by this afternoon the mercury will rise to 40F. Let a slop begin. The snow pack is incredible, and with the forecast for heavy rain on Wednesday, there are already flood warnings. Thankfully, Molly and I will be getting out of Dodge. Thursday we head for points south with our bicycles. For approximately a month we will hang out in the Texas Hill Country, Big Bend National Park, and Tucson taking lots of a day rides!
However, back to birding. Yesterday was a beautiful day to be in the Bog. While I still needed my long underwear and heavy jacket, the lack of wind and clear skies were a birder’s / hiker’s delight. I found three different couples who appear to be setting up a house in the Bog. Here are some of my images. Both the White-Winged Crossbills, and the Gray Jays could nest within the next week. The Black-Backed Woodpecker family will wait till later in the Spring, but the two birds I found were definitely a couple.
Sunrise in the Bog … Hoar Frost at -5F
White-Winged Crossbills near the South Logging Road Trail
Gray Jays near the South Logging Road Trail
Black-Backed Woodpecker in the Warren Nelson Bog
Finally, if you are wondering why Molly and I are only taking day rides this Spring, have no fear. We have two bicycle tours planned for this summer and fall. Here is a quick map I annotated which shows where we have toured (over 10,000 miles by bike). I used both blue and red because some routes are near one another … easier to differentiate.
Have a great trip! I am especially looking forward to updates on the Tuscon leg of the trip (although I hope you get to TX in time for some bluebonnet pics). My husband and I spent a bit of time in Tuscon this winter and we think we will go back. Where you and Molly are riding will be fun to watch.
What software are you using to show where you have biked?
Very Nice write up & photos.
For years I have used SnagIt, which is nice, relatively inexpensive screen capture software package. It allows one to take all kind of screenshots, including even scrolling captures of web pages. Once captures, all kinds of annotations are possible. Finally, I can save the file in a manner which allows for additional edits later. This software package was my “go to” screen capture software in the days when I created lots of software tutorials.