Buy a Vowel Birding!

I forgot to utilize “Buy a Vowel Birding” over the past few days. Many Arctic birds are now visitors near the Head of Lakes, including the first Snowy Owls of the season (one in Superior, and one in Ashland). I went looking for the Snowy Owl in Ashland, but missed seeing the bird. I know the owl is still in the area. I forgot to buy a vowel … the letter “Y” (sometimes a vowel) to make Snowy.

  • I found Snow Geese
  • I saw lots of Snow Buntings
  • I missed seeing the Snow”y” owl.

Anyhow, the other snow birds from the past two days.

Snow Bunting (these birds are some of the first to migrate back north in February)

Snow Geese (two very unusual morphs in terms of their coloration)


I also went out birding this morning which was the Deer Hunting Opener. One should never be worried about birding during hunting season. Just use common sense:

  1. If you are birding the Boreal Forest and its bogs, you won’t find many hunters. Deer do not like bog habitat. Thus, deer hunters do not like bog habitat
  2. Should you bird areas that are deer habitat, ensure you bird 2+ miles from any location where trucks and SUV’s are parked.
  3. Wear Blaze Orange or Bright Red
  4. You will be safer in the woods, that most cities!

ChicagoLand Birding Talk!

Well not the Great Gray Owl, but volunteer naturalist Rich Hoeg! Next week, on Wednesday and Thursday (November 9th and 10th), Rich will be the guest speaker for Kane County Audubon and the DuPage Birding Club. His presentation will focus primarily upon birding in Sax-Zim Bog. My Thursday evening presentation will be available via Zoom. Thus, you need not live in the Chicago area. My presentation outline.
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Dawn Dance: Sandhill Cranes!

Sandhill Cranes mate for life. This morning I found the Mr. and Mrs. renewing their vows in the Sherburne National Wildlife Reserve. Even though it was only 26F shortly after sunrise, the loving couple felt like performing a “dawn dance”.
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Another piece of information I did not know, in addition to the Wildlife Drive, between September 1st and the start of deer hunting season, there is a another dirt road one may drive which starts at the Blue Mound Cemetery (3.5 miles long with a side trip to the public boat launch). It was well worth the drive, and next year I will come down from Duluth and make certain I try the road closer to September 1st

The Offering Followed by the Dance (maximize to see the crane’s beak)

The Movie (video link for email subscribers)


Just Hanging and Dancing


Reflections