Hoot was begging for food in a tree right our side my bedroom window at 3:30 am this morning. Once I realized what time it was, I thought just perhaps Hoot (the oldest of my Great Horned Owl family juveniles) was trying to tell me to get my “#*!0” out of bed, and go see the comet Neowise. By 3:55 am I was down at Brighton Beach on Lake Superior, and I owe my owl friend a big thanks. While I did not take any photographs of the comet (the horizon was already showing the pre-dawn light … sunrise was at 5:25 am), the view was amazing. I could easily see the Comet with my naked eyes, and by using my binoculars the comet’s tail was an awe inspiring sight. When the comet appears in the night time sky in true darkness in about one week, get out there! (good web site / blog for learning more about the comet … Astro Bob)
Given I was up so early, and only live 45 minutes from Sax-Zim Bog, I drove over to see if I might find some Great Gray Owls hunting just before sunrise. Nope! However, I found something which for me is much more rare, and by approaching very slowly with the sun extremely low in the sky and right behind me, a Northern Harrier (Marsh Hawk). I have never had such a neat viewing experience of a Northern Harrier. For over 30 minutes I watched it hunt (unsuccessfully) and preen. These birds spook so very easily, but it could not see me due to the sun’s low angle. Thanks Astro Bob and Comet Neowise!
Northern Harrier Take-Off
Early morning housekeeping
A few other pics of the Northern Harrier (and a video … link for email subscribers)
One final image. I know the United States is sweltering in a heat wave. The temperature was 47F at 5:10 am, fifteen minutes before sunrise (lots of ground fog).
