This winter there are lots of Bohemian Waxwings down from Canada, but even though I had seen quite a few of these birds, my favorite waxwing location was still striking out. This afternoon that situation changed! If you want to see Bohemian Waxwings, look for fruit trees near heavy forest, and you will find waxwings. It is always better to find locations with lots of fruit trees, and not just one or two Mountain Ash or Pygmy Crabapple trees. Once both the waxwings and pine grosbeaks find the fruit, they will hang out for a long time in the area. This afternoon I saw over 250 Bohemian Waxwings, and I know their numbers will only increase.
Meet Smokey, the Great Gray Owlet!
Smokey, the Great Gray Owl chick is looking for a rainbow, and the first draft of his children’s picture book story is now completed (written and photographed). I took these images many moons ago on a damp, foggy summer day in Sax-Zim Bog. It was one of my most special times birding. Only one other time in my life have I ever found two Great Gray Owlets. Thankfully I kept the original image files from straight out of my camera, which allowed me to rework the photos for my upcoming new book. My skill at photo editing is now much more refined than when I first met Smokey (Smokey is the Great Gray Owlet on the right of the image)
In the second image, Smokey is begging for food … like most toddlers! The chick’s parent was sitting in a tree about 50 yards distant, and totally ignoring the screech.
A video of the two owlets (video link for email subscribers)
And my first bird photographs of 2023 … year 10 of this journey! I have seen this Snowy Owl a number of times including when these images were taken yesterday afternoon. This morning I searched for Snowy for 35 minutes before sunrise, hoping for a sunrise image. Not! My first images of 2023 were almost of Snow Buntings. I found a flock of over 200 birds, and waited and hoped they would fly towards me. Once again, not!
New Years Eve Long-Eared Owl
What a way to end 2022! My New Year’s Eve morning surprise! I was hiking in the woods near my son’s house in southern Wisconsin when the robins wintering in the area (no snow!) were obviously very alarmed. Shortly thereafter I discovered why the robins were so upset … this Long-Eared Owl!
And a short video of the owl (video link for email subscribers)
In addition, this Red-Tailed Hawk was hunting the area. Given there is zero snow on the ground in the Milwaukee area, I have seen an amazing number of Red-Tailed Hawks in the past 24 hours.