Red-Bellied Woodpecker (Heart Anniversary Bird)

Year 8

The sun came out very briefly yesterday afternoon. I thought about going birding, but decided perhaps sitting upon my own deck was a better idea. A few weeks ago, a Red-Bellied Woodpecker started proclaiming my yard as its domain, but I had not been able to get a decent photograph. Well … if you wait long enough, success will often be achieved.

Here is “Red” and his cousin, “Scarlet” (a female). See below the images for the “heart anniversary story”.

Why an anniversary bird, you may ask? Friday will be the exact one year anniversary of my collapsing while trail running due to a misshapen heart valve. After five heart operations, and five additional procedures, I am back loving my time in the woods. Last week I resumed trail running. This Friday on the anniversary of my brush with death, and at the midpoint of my run, I will stop and sit down on the ground for 5+ minutes (by my choice) in the forest. I plan on reflecting how glorious it is to be alive. Last year, my Garmin recorded me on the ground for over 30 minutes (not by my choice). My medical team says I’m lucky to be alive.

Two weeks ago I was the featured survivor and talked prior to the Northland’s American Heart Association’s “heart walk”. I was interviewed by both the local NBC and CBS TV affiliates. If interested, hear my story in their words, not mine (video link for email subscribers).

The Fall Birding Doldrums

Background, Year 8, ,
  • Most of our summer birds have departed the Northland
  • Winter birds from up north have not yet arrived
  • Eternal thick fog seems to have coated the area

In short, the birding opportunities have been few and far between over the past week. Perhaps the only excitement was fixing the bear damage at the new public bird feeders at French River.

Winter birding is just around the corner. Two prime locations near Duluth are Sax-Zim Bog just north of town, and Superior (just across the bridge from Duluth). I recently created two short birding guides for a friend’s business. Folks may enjoy downloading the free PDF’s.

The sun did briefly make an appearance yesterday morning, and I caught this Pileated Woodpecker in flight.

Bog Fog Birds or F’Owl Colors!

Year 1

We picked up a fair amount of rain over the weekend, particularly in the overnight hours. This has a dampening effect on our local owls ability to hunt. After all, “who” likes to hang out in a rainstorm. When the weather forecast showed extremely heavy ground fog after midnight the past two nights, and light winds each morning, I thought one of my friendly neighborhood Great Gray Owls might be out hunting long after sunrise. I hit the jackpot both mornings, and even left a hunting owl this morning just before high noon. Does anyone ever leave a hot fishing spot when the fish are biting? I did!

Each morning I arrived in Sax-Zim Bog long after sunrise (not normal), but I needed to have some ground fog burn off if I was going to have a chance at seeing anything. As often stated before in this blog, think like a bird when heading out in the woods … and find the food sources.

There are quite a lot of photographs in this post. Sorry (no I’m not!). It will give you an idea what the last two mornings were like in terms of owling. I spent close to six hours watching “old gray”. When the sun came out in bursts, the colors were amazing. The Tamarack needles are beginning to have their golden glow; the aspens are also yellow.

Day #1: Fall Colors & Ground Fog

Day #2: Tamarack Take-Off 1 (and a few Spruce)

Day #2: Tamarack Take-Off 2 (and a few Spruce)

Day #2: The Claw! (make certain you maximize the first image of the talon)

Day #2: Cedar Tree Camouflage