It was 13F below zero (actual, not windchill) this morning. Thus I decided it was a great day to head out and catch the pre-dawn light over Lake Superior. I normally find the most vibrant colors are 30 to 40 minutes before actually sunrise. I definitely needed a full thermal layer in addition to normal clothes and outerwear! The slight wind out of the SW blew the seasmoke offshore revealing these freighters at anchor. I did eventually go owling, but away from the warming waters of Lake Superior, the temperature was -20F. I know from experience birding is poor when it is that cold, and in fact the birding was poor. Everyone and everything is just trying to stay warm!
The more dramatic sky colors are the result of my taking a hike to better line up with the approaching sun beneath the horizon.
Long before sunrise this morning, Bunny jumped on top of Grampa’s camera bag and yelled: “Take me! Take me owling, Grampa!” How could I resist? After all it is rare that someone wants to get up long before the sun, drive long distances just to walk back roads in search of owls, but Bunny insisted! How could I refuse? (Many Bunny and Owl photos follow … we had a very fun and successful time)
Bunny jumping on top of my camera bag, and taking control of the car.
The Great Gray Owl, Bunny and Grampa watched for 25 minutes.
Let me backtrack. Isabel, one of my six grandchildren was visiting Grammy and Grampa (along with her three siblings and parents) for Christmas. Bunny came also because Bunny NEVER leaves Isabel’s side. Both Bunny and Isabel are five years old. While leaving our house in Duluth yesterday to drive home to the big city, somehow Bunny fell out of Isabel’s arms and dove into the deep snow. Thankfully Grammy discovered Bunny in the snow, but long after Isabel and her family left Duluth.
Molly and I had a potential disaster on our hands. Bunny could not be sent “package express” to the Big City from Duluth till Monday. It was Saturday evening. However, one is not awarded the title of Grammy and Grampa without being smart when it comes to solving life’s problems. We would turn Bunny’s time with us in Duluth into an adventure. Isabel would be kept constantly informed … often with pictures … on how Bunny is doing. Is Bunny lonely? Is Bunny scared? Thankfully this morning in response to one of our many texts with Bunny photos, Isabel exclaimed: “Bunny is having fun with Grammy and Grampa” Disaster averted!
Bunny’s visit to Grammy and Grampa
Owl photos and video follow
Please note I am feeding bunny a carrot … what else??!
Bunny with computer … attending church online due to the Pandemic
Merry Christmas from the Northwoods. There are a few hours between all the gleeful madness on this special day. Thankfully during this ugly Pandemic, my daughter’s family was kind enough to self-isolate earlier such that they might safely visit us for Christmas. The morning started early with four grandchildren trying to insure the household was up at 6:00 am! Thankfully everyone was awake, and even with our Christmas Blizzard, Santa find his way to Duluth following Rudolph’s red nose.
During our blizzard winds topped out at 70 mph on the open waters of Lake Superior. The temperatures dropped to make for nasty weather … wind chills of minus 25 to 30F degrees. Believe it or not, once the snow stopped I went birding on Christmas Eve (plowed roads only in the countryside). I knew that birds would be hiding from the wind while trying to experience the warmth of the sun. My major surprise was finding this female ring-necked pheasant … far out of range in northern Minnesota. The pheasant was standing on the side of a road in a location where the wind was blocked with lots of sun.
Earlier in the day we saw “Hector” who was visiting out yard. Hector is a male Pileated Woodpecker … named thusly by my eight year old granddaughter. She knows the difference between male and female Pileated Woodpeckers. Do you?! (hint: moustache and crest next to beak)
Wishing everyone the merriest and safest of Christmas.
