All posts by richardhoeg@gmail.com

Easter \ Passover Birds

Year 7

During this Coronavirus health crisis, on a gloomy morning (weather wise) it was nice to discover a flock of Goldfinches in my yard. Happy Easter and Passover! This male goldfinch shows the promise of new life to come. It’s winter plumage is still evident, but the bright yellow of summer is prevailing.

Molly and I enjoyed Easter Brunch without family. However, my three kids, spouses and grandchildren arranged to have the same brunch at identical times in everyone’s respective homes. We ate at noon Central Time and watched / listened to:

Andrea Bocelli: Music For Hope – Live From Duomo di Milano
(YouTube Link for email subscribers)

Finally … the new life is very evident over at my Great Horned Owl’s nest. All these images were taken yesterday during the sunshine, which both the owlets and I very much appreciated.

Hacking up an owl pellet

Siblings

7:30 am … Trying to stay warm in the very early morning sun! (29F)

Mom (she now has left the nest and is part of the hunting detail … these kids are always hungry)

Great Horned Owl Triplets?

Year 7,

I hiked over to my Great Horned Owl nest yesterday evening. While only 8 days ago I was wondering if there was only one surviving owlet, I am now thinking I was wrong all along and there are three chicks! (video link for email subscribers)

In addition I made the short trip over to the Wisconsin grasslands. Wow! Birds are really starting to arrive. Perhaps spring may really be hear (note to self: ignore heavy snow warnings for this weekend).

One of six Killdeer that I suspect were migrating further north.

Bald Eagle overlooking a “hunting pond”

And Hay Bale Betty! My thanks to the farmer who provided me a smile while I was out birding. During this health crisis, we all need a smile.

Spring?? or Winter??

Year 7,

Wait a day, and winter will slam back into the Northland. Yesterday was a delightful day with temperatures reaching the low 50’s at our house for the first time this Spring. I even went cycling wearing shorts … albeit I climbed away from Lake Superior and escaped inland. 25+ mph winds were blowing and I knew it would be frigid down at the shore, only 800 yards from our home.

The nice weather meant I spent 7 hours hiking the forest trails, both near my house, Minnesota Point at dawn, and the MacQuarrie Wetlands during mid morning. Maintaing social distance was easy. Per my norm, 99% of the time I saw noone. At the wetlands, the ice was in the process of going out. It is amazing how birds discover this fact (ice out) immediately. I saw hundreds of ducks, lots of songbirds, and three pair of Trumpeter Swans which were battling for dominance. These wetlands have about 12 ponds, and are prime habitat. It was fun to see these huge birds attack each other, all the while trumpeting their claim.

The winning pair of Trumpeter Swans

Of course no day would be complete with trips to visit my owl family. Near sunset I was rewarded with some family portraits. Better yet, I believe there are in fact two owlets in the nest. It is amazing how such huge birds … the Mom and its two chicks can hide within their home and avoid being seen by anyone … man or beast.

Family Portrait … Great Horned Owls

This morning Winter has reclaimed northern Minnesota. Fierce snow squalls have been dumping snow on the ground. I did hike over to the owl’s nest during one squall. The birds did not look happy. I understand.