With the help of some other folks, I finally found a second Northern Hawk Owl in Sax-Zim Bog on Saturday morning. After the atrocious weather the past few days … dare I say dreich?! … the day was finally worth heading outside. Putting our weather in perspective, I went through 40 pounds of salt trying to keep rid our walks free of ice buildup from the snow and sleet screaming in off Lake Superior.
While the weather forecast claimed the sun would arrive by mid-morning, Mother Nature said if you really want to photograph the Hawk Owl, you MUST show patience. I arrived in the Bog at 7:30 am, and the sun did not come out till 1:00 pm. However, the long wait was worth cooling my jets. The Northern Hawk Owl performed!
Sax-Zim Bog Northern Hawk Owl Hunting
The owl moved all afternoon between three perches near a small creek
Perch #1
Perch #2
Perch #3
One of the dives for a vole
Vole Capture #1
Vole Capture #2
Back to Hunting on Perch #3
In the final image of the “back to hunting” photos, the full sun had come out. It was taken about 15 minutes later than the other images in the sequence and something had obviously caught the owl’s attention.
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Those pictures are amazing Rich. This is one of the top owls I want to see one day when I make it up your way. Keep getting out there. Stay safe.
Beautiful pictures, once again, Rich! One question: does s/he eat the vole in a big gulp while its head is under the snow? I ask because there’s no pictures of the vole hanging out of its mouth or talons.
Mara … yes and no. Northern Hawk Owls are actually known for caching prey in cavities for a later meal. However, depending upon the size of their catch, they might eat their prey in one gulp on the ground, or carry it back to a perch for consuming it “at their Leisure” in multiple bites. Thus, it depends.
Grand series of photos, Rich. Thank you!