Category Archives: Year 7

Lady … it’s been fun!

February 27, 2020Year 7MN North: Sax-Zim Bog, WI North: Richard Bong Airportrichardhoeg@gmail.com

This evening may have been my final evening with “Lady”. This Snowy Owl has been one classy woman, and has treated me to all kinds of enjoyment this winter (thus, her name).

Any day now she should start making 100 mile flights around northern Minnesota as she starts to strengthen her flight muscles for the long migration back up to the Arctic. She may not leave Minnesota till as late as April 1st, but the days of seeing her in its winter hunting territory are numbered.

Hats off to you, Lady!

If you would like to learn more about the migration patterns of Snowy Owls, browse to Project Snowstorm. We hope to start tagging Northern Hawk Owls in the same manner next winter in Sax-Zim Bog (i.e. solar array powered tags which off load daily locations via cell towers … even if the owl is not in reach of cell towers for months at a time … pretty cool).

If you’re still with me, we really don’t know if Northern Hawk Owls just migrate south into northern Minnesota each winter, or do they just disappear deep into the Bog each summer to raise a family?? (maybe some of each … migrants and a few local nesting birds … thus the application of this new banding technology)

Lady … the Snowy Owl

I actually started the day before sunrise in Sax-Zim Bog where I found this rather sleepy Barred Owl. In the second image, she “somewhat” tracks a red squirrel which was running beneath her. Given the limited reaction to easy prey, she must have fed well last night. Instead she was just enjoying basking in the morning sun. It was 8F when I took the photo.

Children’s Book Award Finalist!

February 25, 2020Background, Year 7richardhoeg@gmail.com

Yup! Snowy’s Search for Color has just been named a University of Minnesota Duluth’s NEMBA finalist! The winner will be announced on May 21st which also happens to be my 37th wedding anniversary. Guess who will not be taking his wife out to dinner that night due to the awards ceremony? Sorry Molly.

Remember, you may download a full PDF copy of my book for FREE!

Book theme: 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.

Answers to “Ask the Outdoorsman Questions”

A few weeks ago I started up a new service of this blog named: Ask the Outdoorsman. Remember, my blog now has a “contact Rich” form where you may privately ask me questions. Go to the “About / Contact Rich” section of this web site which is easily found via the menubar at the top of every page. Depending upon the question, I will either answer you privately or via a blog post (but keeping your identity secret)

Karen G. asks whether I would be open to having her “tag along” on one of my Bog birding trips. Yes, but recently I have not planned my excursions till late the prior evening … when I understand the weather forecast. Given I only live 45 minutes from Sax-Zim Bog, in the winter I pay extreme attention to forecast temperatures, clouds and wind before making a visit decision. I often wait till 5 am on the planned day of my birding outings to make a decision.
Nancy N. wants to know how to train chickadees to eat out of her hands. The answer is patience, patience and more patience. The best way to ultimately make this happen and hand feed chickadees is to have only one bird feeder on your property, preferably a platform feeder. You must be willing to stand next to the feeder for hours, and even put your hand in the feeder with the proper treats. I’ve done this once in my life.
Mary S. lives near my house in Duluth and she was interested in seeing a Snowy Owl. I helped her accomplish this task via some friends of mine (I was out of town).
Deborah Crooks, who is a folk song artist, contacted me and asked if I would promote her song, Be Your Own Bird. While I don’t normally provide endorsements and have never allowed advertisements on this web site, I listened to Deborah’s song and like it … Be Your Own Bird has a nice message. I found her singing style pleasing, almost a female sounding Bob Dylan style. Deborah makes her song free for listening via her own web site … thus … here’s a callout to Deborah Crooks
- Be Your Own Bird! (song and lyrics owned and copyrighted by Deborah Crooks)
- Post Script: I used Deborah’s last name, because in this instance I know she was interested in the publicity. I promise to not hold it against Deborah that she is from California! The song is also available on Spotify. If you want to learn more about this singer, here is a link to her web site.

With Deborah’s permission, here are the lyrics to her song. Remember, you may listen to Be Your Own Bird via her web site at no charge. She owns the copyright to both the lyrics and the music.

Song sparrow sings its own song
No other place it belongs
Like the towhee peeps in the leaves
In your own life you must believe
And be your own bird

Hummingbird nest in the tree
Spun thread a tiny blue egg
Wings a blur in the air
We all have our own truth to declare
Be your own bird

Nature can beautiful nature can be cruel
Some days you win, some days you play the fool
Mockingbird attacking its own reflection

Across the meadow I see some geese
Dabbling in the green green grass
No one’s first and no one’s last
Everyone has their own path
Be your own bird

Nature can beautiful nature can be cruel
Some days you lose some days you completely rule
Eagle perched atop the highest mountain

Be your own bird
Be your own bird
Be your own bird

Boreal Bird Bonanza: Red Crossbill Nest Building!

February 24, 2020Year 7MN North: Sand Lake Pine Forestrichardhoeg@gmail.com

The weather forecast screamed I should head north towards Ely this morning (11F, sunny and calm winds). Taking Lake County #2 out of Two Harbors one quickly enters the Superior National Forest, and although my home is within the Boreal Forest, getting north of Two Harbors means true wilderness. Near a small river as one approaches Mn Hwy 1 is a hot spot for Spruce Grouse, and this year … Crossbills. The four miles from the Sand River to the radio tower are fantastic birding, just watch for logging trucks in the rear view mirror. Otherwise the traffic is very light.

Most people head to this region for Spruce Grouse, but my target birds also included Red Crossbills. Neither bird disappointed! The numbers of Crossbills I saw shortly after sunrise was amazing, and I was extremely fortunate to spot nest building is process. Red Crossbills will nest at any time of year given an ample supply of pine cones. Their unique shaped beak is perfect for cracking open pine cones. Most other animals and birds are not able to access the seeds within, so the food is all theirs. The Northwoods definitely has a great supply of pine cones this winter from last summer’s growing season.

A Female Red Crossbill works nest building while her mate supervises! The female eventually walked around the tree and sat down. I could see her with my binoculars, but not the camera.