All posts by richardhoeg@gmail.com

The Northern Lights Glowed Last Night!

Year 6

I finally left the house last night at 1:45 am to watch the Northern Lights. The technical numbers and clouds were underwhelming till that point, but when the skies cleared and Ovation Aurora jumped into the 60 Gw range (power reading), I jumped out of bed. It was cool, clear and crisp last night out at Boulder Lake (28F), but the views were fantastic. While there never was a huge dance, conditions rose to a G2 Aurora storm levels and the intensity of the “green glow” was amazing to both the camera and the naked eye.

Don’t forget, tomorrow (Saturday, the 26th) is my free book rollout event … Snowy’s Search for Color. There will be both children’s book readings, and I will give adult bird talks which focus upon winter birding in the Duluth area. (see details)

These two images were taken about 3 am.

Hawk-Ridge Northern Saw-whet Owl!

Year 6

Always put off supper! I was about to lay and light the BBQ for dinner when I learned a Northern Saw-whet owl was snoozing away the afternoon up at Hawk Ridge (only two miles from my house). I quickly told my wife dinner would be delayed!

Speaking of owls … don’t forget about my book rollout event on Saturday, Snowy’s Search for Color. See details (children’s book readings and adult birding seminars … free)

The owl was just beginning to wake up 50 minutes before sunset!

Most of the time, the Northern Saw-whet looked like this … ZZZzzz

Snow Geese!

Year 6

Although thousands and thousands of Snow Geese migrate through the Dakotas and extreme western Minnesota, here at the tip of Lake Superior this beautiful white bird is a rarity. Each fall I hope to find a small flock, and today I finally struck pay dirt. A small group of six birds was hanging out at the Tri-State Fair Grounds in Superior. Even though it was still wet and windy this morning, I enjoyed some quality time with my geese. Finally, when I say thousands and thousands of Snow Geese migrate a bit west of here, see this post from this spring when I chanced upon the northward migration … some cool videos.

Superior Snow Geese! (first image gives a nice comparison in size vs a Canada Goose, and the last image shows a Blue Morph)