Bald Eagle Take-Off

Year 8

I had hoped to be up north of Duluth this morning in the forest wilderness, perhaps watching an owl hunt. However, the wind forecast held true (darn), and 30 mph wind gusts convinced me such an expedition would be foolish. Instead given the weather I went Christmas stocking shopping. Years ago I started a tradition in our family when I found a fantastic book store which also carried an amazing collection of magazines. While browsing that store I picked out an extremely unusual magazine in terms of topic for each family member, but which I also felt each recipient would enjoy. 25 years later I carry on this tradition, and finding four magazines takes me hours of shopping / searching. One of this year’s favorites is a 50 Year History of TV Game Shows, which not only gives the history of this genre, but lets one realize how much our culture has changed over this time period.

With my magazines chosen, I started to drive home. However, I quickly remembered the deer carcass I had found yesterday evening while trying to locate a Snowy Owl about which one of my friends had phoned. While I did not find Snowy, I did find four Bald Eagles enjoying their supper. Generally for about 48 hours it is worth revisiting a carcass in search of raptors. After that time duration, the crows, jays, woodpeckers, and magpies take over.

I was correct in my assessment and found one very hungry Bald Eagle late this morning. It was not going to be spooked off the carcass until a logging truck approached. While birds of any kind will often not move when a car drives past, a semi is certain to scare them away. Such was the case today and I was ready when I saw the lumber truck drawing near.

Bald Eagle Take-Off

Bald Eagle on a Deer Carcass

Catching Up

Year 8,

I am catching up. Since the storm ended I have spent a HUGE amount of time outside including my day as a volunteer naturalist up in the Bog. The past two days have been super … a touch cold but perfectly blue skies most of time with limited wind. I know from experience to maximize time outside on those days. Some pics from my travels.

A Northern Cardinal during the recent storm / snow

A Great Gray Owl hunting shortly after sunrise two morning ago

Some cute Gray Jays (Canada Jays)

Olympic Sport: Clod Kicking and Grosbeaks!

Year 8

Clod kicking is a sport known to Northland winter athletes. Amateurs use the toe of the their boots to “kick the snow clods” clear of a car’s wheel wells, but an expert clod kicker understands that a heel should always be used to avoid broken toes. It was with this knowledge that I came across Pine Grosbeaks up in Sax-Zim Bog two mornings ago which were serving as Olympic judges for this winter sport. While the uninformed might believe the birds were “gritting up”, and only the kicked clod had the necessary grit for the bird’s gizzard and digestion, I knew better. The grosbeaks were excited to visit northern Minnesota and evaluate the competition.

Pine Grosbeaks Judging a Clod Kicking Competition

Spectator Grosbeaks (Pine and Evening)

Grosbeaks Visiting the Stadium’s Concession Stand (Pine and Evening)

Note: Normally I do not like to take feeder photographs, but these images show off the differences between our two types of winter grosbeaks. The grayish birds that have a more orangey head are likely immature males, as opposed to more brown (females). One Common Redpoll also makes an appearance.

On another note, I served as a volunteer naturalist at the Sax-Zim Bog Welcome Center yesterday. Our feeders were busy. Early morning on a cold day is always the best. Here is a list of the birds frequently visiting:

  • Bluejays
  • Boreal Chickadees (via Gray Jay trail … on suet at the end)
  • Black-Capped Chickadees
  • Common Redpolls
  • Downy Woodpeckers
  • Evening Grosbeak (one male who I named George)
  • Gray Jays
  • Hairy Woodpeckers
  • Pine Grosbeaks
  • Red-Breasted Nuthatches
  • White-Breasted Nuthatches

Plan a visit to the Bog (link is to the Friends of Sax-Zim Bog web site)