Sax-Zim Bog Food in Short Supply

Year 10

Don’t ask me when we last had 2+ feet of snow on the ground on April 3rd near my house, or 3+ feet of white stuff on the ground in Sax-Zim Bog on the same date. Five days ago while out birding I wanted to check out some possible Great Gray Owl nest sites … mea culpa. Even though the temperature was 17F and I assumed I would be able to easily walk across the frozen crust, I sank in snow up to my mid thigh. After only ten yards of trying to move forward, I spent minutes trying to extricate myself from the mess I was in … next time I will bring snowshoes.

This morning I returned to the Bog, with my snowshoes. Unfortunately freezing drizzle put off my hike. However, I think both the birds and mammals are desperate for food. I found a dead deer which I assume had starved. The number of Bald Eagles, Crows, and Magpies which had gathered around the carcass was amazing. When driving backroads one now sees an amazing number of deer which have no desire to be walking in the deep snow, and these same deer do NOT want to move away from my car. At this point the only goal is to conserve energy.

Bald Eagles Above the Deer Carcass

Earlier in the morning I found a SnowShoe Hare. Please note it is eating small pine branches which I doubt have much nutritional value. In addition, its coat of white fur is starting to turn gray which will make it much easier prey for forest hunters. The snow will not melt soon, and the rabbit will stand out like a sore thumb in the brown drab forest. (video link of SnowShoe Hare for email subscribers)

Snowshoe Hare Eating Pine Branches

A Pause Between Snowstorms!

Year 10

Unexpected sunshine and 39F this afternoon! Don’t tell Mom Great Horned Owl another big snowstorm is expected near Lake Superior tomorrow evening.

Soon she will look like Poppa Owl who I photographed early last week. Regardless, all is well in HootVille.

The owlets should be born soon, but unless there is a real warm day (none in the forecast), I won’t see the youngsters for some time.

Trumpeter Swans Arriving

Year 10,

Before I move on to today’s post, I will take an action that I rarely do upon this blog … talk about myself. After all this web site is about the birds (and northern lights), not me. Actually, keeping true to form I will NOT talk about myself, but let someone else hold forth about “my personal story”. I was recently interviewed for Destination Duluth … a civic organization dedicated to promoting our region. Thus, I bring you “The Owl Guy!” (me).

There is almost zero open water anywhere in the Northland, with the exception of Lake Superior and the large rivers with strong current, but area lakes, small rivers and streams are very much still ice bound. However, where there is a strong current and a bit open water occurs, you will now find Trumpeter Swans. These birds are some of the first to return to area lakes in search of top breeding areas. This pair was just one group of six swans I found in the creek along Stone Lake Road in Sax-Zim Bog.

Meanwhile back at home my local pileated woodpeckers have let everyone know my yard is their yard / territory. These images were taken the day before the swans after a four inch snow.