Do Owls Sweat?

July 4, 2021Year 8MN North: Amityrichardhoeg@gmail.com

It is 91F in the shade this afternoon here in Duluth on the Fourth of July. The video demonstrates that owls do NOT have sweat glands and need to pant to cool off. You can see the feathers moving on the Great Horned Owl’s neck, and the bird’s mouth is open. (video link for email subscribers)

The owlet should fly 1/4 mile down to Lake Superior. Down at the lake there is a nice light NE breeze is keeping things cooler (just finished a bike ride before going out birding).

Here are some still images I also took this afternoon.

Finally, this is what I saw when I first found the Great Horned Owlet! There was only one robin clucking in alarm … just one bird. However I was convinced by the robin’s actions there was an owl or hawk in the nearby woods.

Big Box Store Birding: Green Herons

July 2, 2021Year 8MN North: Hermantownrichardhoeg@gmail.com

It’s often worthwhile to bird in unusual places. A few days ago I commented upon birding one’s local ponds, and at the time talked about cemeteries with ponds. Believe it or not the local Sam’s Club pond in Hermantown is a great birding location. At least three Green Herons are hunting at Sam’s Club. After finding one heron yesterday, I returned early this morning and planted myself with a different vantage point such that the sun was at my back.

I hope you enjoy Green Herons as much as me. These birds are unusual for Duluth, as we are on the fringe of their range. Enjoy … my goal was to get some reflections / mirror photographs. (today’s owl photo below the Green Herons!)

As I often do, the morning actually started at sunrise with a hike to my owling grounds. I was rewarded with this view of two of the Great Horned Owlets. Ever wonder why finding owls is difficult? Maximize this image and you will know why. For three minutes I did not realize I was looking at two owls; I only saw the bird located higher up.