All posts by richardhoeg@gmail.com

Sax-Zim Bog Snow Storm Birding!

Year 4

Upon waking up this morning, I checked two items to see if my first bonafide birding excursion of 2017 was possible. First and foremost I had to determine whether the pinched nerve which has been causing me intense pain in my back and left leg was healed enough to allow for a birding trip (it was!). My second bit of research was to check the weather forecast. A second wallop of a winter storm which started at dinner time last night was supposed to hold off long enough to allow me a morning excursion to the Bog (50 miles from my home).  The weather seemed perfect for owling … dark light due to light snow and light wind in the morning. The snows were do to resume midday.

Thus, I left an hour before sunrise and arrived in the bog at dawn’s first dismal light (heavy clouds and light snow). I found four other birders driving up and down Admiral Road, hoping like me to find a Great Gray Owl hunting after sunrise. Although I spent close to an hour on Admiral and McDavitt Roads, no owls were to be seen. Oh well, when success does not occur while birding … change your approach. I headed off onto some remote roads which I have never driven before. Jackpot! I found a Great Gray Owl hunting at 9:30 am. For the next 20 minutes I hiked the Bog and enjoyed watching the Gray Ghost of the Forest hunt for meadow voles, often from a distance of less than 20 yards! When my owl decided it was time to fly deep into the Bog, I realized my leg had limitations in the deep snow and I bade good-bye to my friend.

On my way out of the Bog I briefly stopped at the Welcome Center and a few other birding spots. The Winter birds now seem to be out in force. During the 9 miles of driving from my owl location to the Welcome Center, I saw 21 deer. The snow in the forest / Bog is now getting quite deep. It was obvious that the deer were using the same dirt road upon which I was driving to forage for breakfast because walking in the forest is now tough. Deep snow should finally mean more Canadian birds coming south, and more roadside hunting for owls!

My Great Gray Owl!

Redpoll in the Snow

Hwy #133 Redpoll Flocks

Wild Turkeys

Goldeneye Time to Fly!

Year 4

The Duluth shipping season will end within the next seven days. The harbor is now ice covered, and freighters would be locked in their winter slumber if not for the ice breaking chores of tugboats! On the birding front, hundreds of ducks are hanging out in the Duluth Ship Canal at the entrance to Lake Superior. If you saw the CSL Assiniboine steaming down upon you the best decision would be to get the heck out of Dodge!

Canadian Steamship Lines Assiniboine Enters the Ship Canal

Goldeneyes Decide it’s Time to Fly!

Earlier, back in the harbor … the Tug North Carolina Breaks Ice for the Assiniboine

Video of the North Carolina Breaking Ice

52 Week Photo Project for 2017

Year 4

Four years ago I initiated 365 Days of Birds, and for every day in the year I had to take a photograph of at least one bird. I enjoyed that project, but it was brutal and demanding.

  • Try finding birds in a whiteout / blizzard to take a photograph!
  • During the winter birding doldrums, another chickadee image?!
  • etc.

However, I learned a lot about myself and photography with my year long birding project. Thus, for 2017 I am starting a 52 week project. Once a week I must take an image of “The Deeps”. This waterfall, where water crashes over a bluestone outcropping as it rushes downhill to Lake Superior, is only 250 yards from my house. It will be fun to see how the personality of a waterfall changes over one year, and how I challenge myself to better my photograph skills.

Pinched Nerve Update: Limited walking! I drove my car to The Deeps (200 yards), but I did walk to the garage from my house … and then from the street to The Deeps.

Here is Week #1: The Frozen Deeps.