All posts by richardhoeg@gmail.com

Snowy’s Search for Color: Children’s Picture Book (free download)

Background, Year 6

My new children’s book, Snowy’s Search for Color, is published! I am both the author and photographer. You may download a free full PDF version of the book. The printed copy retails for $13.50 plus shipping (buy a copy).

Follow the adventures of a young Snowy Owl as it flies south from its home on the Arctic Ocean in search of color! The owl meets up with other owls, red foxes, and even Smokey the Bear! It is a magical journey.

Snowy’s Search for Color: Front Cover (Book is 24 pages)

Snowy’s Search for Color: Pages 1 and 2

Snowy’s Search for Color: Pages 13 and 14

Fog Bound Rarities: Hudsonian Godwit et al

Year 6

While the rest of Minnesota has been enjoying some very warm September weather (80 to 85F), here in Duluth on Lake Superior the word of the day has been fog. Migration seems to be stalled, and the birds that are here are staying put. Down in the end of Park Point the ball fields have turned into great food factories for shore birds. My friends from the shores of the Arctic are enjoying the feast.

One rare bird for these parts is a Hudsonian Godwit which has been around for several days. Watch the video included with this post, and you will be able to see the fog rolling by.  Our temperatures are hovering between 50F and 60F.  It is a challenge to photograph in the fog.

Hudsonian Godwit & Friends

With a Black Bellied Plover

With a Pectoral Sandpiper

Individual Portraits

Hudsonian Godwit

Black-Belled Plover (juvenile)

Pectoral Sandpiper

Movie Time … Preening in the Fog (video link)
YouTube video will be embedded later … embed code is broken right now.

Sax-Zim Bog Migration in Progress

Year 6

I spent five hours in the Bog yesterday. While none of the juvenile Great Great Owls were kind enough to show themselves when I arrived at sunrise, once the sun was over the horizon the Broad-Winged Hawks were present in force. These birds along with Northern Flickers, Blue Jays and warblers were migrating in force yesterday. The weather was perfect … little wind and nice sun after the morning ground fog burned off. Fall is one of my favorite times of year in Sax-Zim Bog … no bugs and different birds due to migration each trip.

Broad-Winged Hawk (3 different birds)

Northern Flicker