Who cares about the Oscars, the Northeast Minnesota Book Awards are the BIG time! Susan Larson-Kidd and I are thrilled to announce that our book, But That Is Not Me!, has been named a finalist in the children’s book category. Susan and I would both like to thank Sparky Stensaas who was our book designer.

In our beginning reader’s book, Harry the Hairy Woodpecker flies around the northern forest visiting his sky friends. All the photographs in the book are my own.

• Learn more about the book … download an excerpt

This afternoon I found this Great Gray Owl hunting near Lake Superior. It is the same bird I rescued from being mobbed by crows this morning. Eleven hours later, the crows were at it again. If it were up to this owl, we would be named winners for certain, but we will not learn till late May if the book has won.

I thought the winter 2017/18 owl irruption was over. After two straight days with winds often in excess of 30 mph, with calm air yesterday I was out before sunrise. Over the past two months I would had seen at least 5 owls, but I found nothing. This convinced me the irruption was over, but 15 crows can’t be wrong! Yup, while enjoying the early morning sun and ice formations along the north shore of Lake Superior, I noticed the black birds taking bombing runs at a particular tree. Yup … a Great Gray Owl was under attack. My presence drove away the crows, and the owl seemed to be thankful. After a few moments it flew out of the deep cover in which it had been hiding and posed in the early morning sun less than 10 yards away from yours truly. As I had an 8:00 am business meeting to attend, I finally had to leave the owl enjoying the warm early morning sun … great way to start any morning. This my be the last owl I find this winter.

Just prior to finding the Great Gray Owl

The Owl in its cover

Enjoying the sun out in the open … crows gone!

Almost home … near my house … the mouth of the Lester River