Category Archives: Year 11

Great Horned Owlet Flight Training

Year 11

The oldest owlet fledged (took its first flight) last night, but not before it put on a fantastic flight training demo for me yesterday! Make certain you watch both the full video, and the slow motion clip! Throughout today I tried to find where the owlet had flown, but it is not easy. Nobody puts up a sign which says “find the owlet here”. However, I kept watching one of the parent owls, and is glances told me where to look, but it took hours!

The younger owlet is still in the nest cavity, and to date this youngster has not shown much desire to branch, let along fly. Remember, the younger bird was most likely born 7+ days after the older owlet. Regardless, the older owlet made its successful first flights, and is unlikely to come back to the nest.

Great Horned Owlet Flight Training! (40 days old)

Movies (full video and slow motion clip)

  • Full Video (link for email subscribers)
  • Slo Mo Clip (link for email subscribers)

And many still images from yesterday … the Amity Great Horned Owlets

Climbing / Flapping up to the Runway

Test Flight #1

Test Flight #2

Drenched – Soaked – Wet Owlets

Year 11

Over the past few days an amazing amount of rain has fallen. Today we are experiencing 30 mph winds with 50 mph gusts off Lake Superior. The Great Horned Owlets are NOT happy with the weather, nor are their parents (or me for that matter). Here are a few images … in the final photograph you can even see rain drops dripping off the owl! Most of these photos were taken two days ago when the owlets were 37 days old (guestimate … oldest owlet is 5 to 7 days older than the younger bird). It is still raining this afternoon … Monday the 29th. I did visit the owls this morning a bit after sunrise. Other than being super wet, they are fine.

Drenched Great Horned Owlets

Mississippi River Migration Cabin Escape

Year 11

Molly and I needed an escape from the cold Northland. Cancer treatment had cancelled our winter and spring travel plans. I looked at a map and realized Dubuque, Iowa was straight south of Duluth. 6+ hours of driving would get us to the Mississippi River without any need to travel through the Twin Cities. Further research revealed a nice cabin overlooking the river on the grounds of a beautiful old estate which is now a foundation (Marvin Gardens Cabin at the Four Mounds Foundation … also a B&B in one of the former country estate buildings).

Image Courtesy of Four Mounds Foundation – Marvin Gardens Cabin

We had found the perfect 3 night getaway. We love cabins and it not only allowed us to cook our own meals, but kept Molly out of significant contact with other people given her weakened immune system. I would HUGELY recommend 4 Mounds to anyone. The grounds are gorgeous, and the John Deere Dike Park is only minutes away … a great spot for walking whether one is a birder or not, but during spring or fall bird migrations even better for the birder.

Some highlights of our cabin included a working stone fireplace, handsome wood decor, an antique wooden canoe hanging from the ceiling, Hudson Bay blankets, and even a 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica. As a fyi, I love reading encyclopedias and I spent time each evening with the over one hundred year old collect. It was pure pleasure for me! The cabin also had superb internet, and a remodeled modern bedroom / bathroom. I could go further with my explanation of the Marvin Gardens Cabin, but Molly is a much better writer than me:

I will however point out that the Dubuque John Deere Works are near by, and we enjoyed a superb free factory tour. The plant is right across the road from the Mississippi River and the John Deere Dike Park, which is my lead-in to Mississippi River birding at the park. The park has an easily walkable path which leads out onto the dike where the path turns north along the river. Your hike takes you in between wetlands, the river, and a small island. The area is excellent birding habitat, particularly waterfowl … once again think spring and fall migrations.

A few photos from my visits to John Deere Dike Park

Great Egrets and White Pelicans

Day #1 … in the Rain

Day #2 … Sunshine

Another popular hiking / birding area is just south of Dubuque … The Mines of Spain Nature Center & Recreation Area. There is an extensive trail system, and a short hike yields some amazing views out over the bluffs and Mississippi River.

Mines of Spain Overlook