Redpolls!

Year 7

Find the food … find the birds! After an entire winter (last year) of nary a Common Redpoll being seen in Minnesota I found Redpoll heaven this morning quite by accident. I was walking the Lakewalk after some medical appointments when I heard birdsong. Suddenly I realized all the tansy that has taken over the Scenic Railroad right of way was attracting hundreds of Common Redpolls.

I will note I made a “rookie mistake”. My camera had been set up for individual images with a two second delay (perfect for landscape photography), but horrible for bird photography. Given the cool morning (20F) and my stocking cap, I did not hear that my shutter / camera was taking many fewer photos than I imagined. Oh well …. I hope I will be medically approved soon for driving a car again. These redpolls will stay on location for quite a few days given the abundance of food at their chosen location (and nearby cover).

Common Redpolls

Amity Creek Winter’s Walk

Year 7

I hiked over to Hoot Land this morning, but could not find my owls. The parents hoot their love for each other every morning 80 minutes before sunrise. However, any hike along Amity Creek is always worth the trip. Enjoy some peace and serenity a bit after sunrise. (email subscribers will need to follow this link to view the video)

A Winter’s Walk

Year 7, ,

Today has been infinitely more pleasurable than exactly 3 weeks ago (open heart surgery). In addition to Molly taking me birding by car this morning … a fantastic experience given the beauty of the newly flocked pines, this afternoon I took a two mile hike / walk.

Lester River (during my walk)

Sounds of the River (email subscribers follow this video link)

Early this morning at my house … Female Cardinal

While birding … I saw my first male Pine Grosbeak in two years. The sun was obliquely in my face making photography difficult. It sounds like this winter may be a HUGE winter finch invasion. Evening Grosbeaks are being seen in numerous locations where they have not been seen in 20 years.