Normally every spring I can count upon Great Gray Owls becoming somewhat easier to find for about 10 days towards the end of May. Such is the case this year. Both Friday and yesterday I found owls at dramatically different locations. I am pretty certain both birds were females which have now come off their nests … the owlets have been born and are getting bigger which means the parent Great Grays need to hunt a lot … including after sunrise. In both instances I found the owls around 7:00 am. (almost two hours after sunrise this time of year).
Yes … I am extremely close to this owl, but when the bird flies over and lands within 15 yards of your location … what are you supposed to do?!
I have been tweaking the locations of my three trailcams over the past month based upon animal tracks, scat and locations which are trail choke points that are near water. I am certain that at least three moose families are featured in these videos, possibly four. My wilderness research is what allows me to occasionally have “in person” experiences … like this Canada Lynx!
Anyhow … family movies from the past month … all moose movie clips except for one short spot where my local Canada Lynx inspects my camera. Timber Wolves and Coyotes have also been regulars in my trailcams over the past 30 days … including “Poodle”! (a very large timber wolf whose tail looks like a poodle’s)
Moose Family Video 1: Movie link for email subscribers
Moose Family Video 2: Movie link for email subscribers
I also want to mention the night images and movies are taken with infrared light. Thus, the animals are NOT being blinded by any bright lights. Observe in any of the images or videos of bull moose, a new rack of antlers are under construction!
It most likely hard for all “you southern folk” to understand but up here in Minnesota’s Canadian Border Region nesting site surveys are under progress, and in many cases the ladies have not yet even arrived on the scene! Northstar Lake is deep and cold. Our water flows north to Hudson’s Bay. The reeds and rushes have not yet broken the water’s surface and many waterfowl including loons will not nest till emergent plants provided both nesting opportunities and camouflage for those same nests.
This morning I went birding by water, car, and foot. Shortly after sunrise I visited a pair of Common Loons which will nest within 150 yards of my cabin. Poppa Loon swam within 3 feet of my pontoon boat, but he hates my red kayak. I always figured the smaller boat would be better for birding, but the birds have taught me otherwise. I slowly approach birds; turn off the motor, and drift. Calm mornings are desired!
Northstar Lake Common Loon
Trumpeter Swans were out for a morning feed, and also have not yet nested.
These male Wood Ducks (and one Ring-Necked Duck) had finished breakfast and now were grooming themselves around 7:15 am.
And a video of these ducks! (video link for email subscribers)
You’ve heard of “swimming with the dolphins” in Florida. Up here in northern Minnesota our equivalent is “swimming with the loons”. Every summer for the past 35 years, our loon family moves in next to us! (see post … Swimming with the Loons)
