Sax-Zim Bog Black-Billed Cuckoo and Hungry Swallows

Year 6

On the spur of the moment I went up to Sax-Zim Bog just after sunrise this morning. I was not looking for owls (too windy). In fact I was not looking for anything in particular … just looking for an enjoyable morning. Man alive, did I hit the jackpot.

My first find was a pair of Black-Billed Cuckoos about 400 yards south of the RR tracks on McDavitt Road. I can count on one had the number of cuckoos I have seen in northeastern Minnesota. I suspect these two have a nest near my sighting.

Black-Billed Cuckoos

After the cuckoos it was on to Admiral Road. The number of swallows was dumbfounding, and I quickly determined the Barn Swallows young had just fledged. It is amazing what happens in 1.5 seconds (the duration of this 15 set sequence of images). My favorite is #5.

Just Fledged Barn Swallows Demand to be Fed!

Arctic Snowy Owl Cam

Background, Year 6

It’s time to enjoy the Snowy Owl Nest Cam live from up on Alaska’s Arctic Tundra. The Owl Research Institute and Explore.Org have combined for this great learning experience. The Owl Research Institute has worked for over 30 years to further our understanding of owls, including Snowies. Both organizations are worthy of your support. I used Explore’s snapshot tool while watching the owl family to take the images accompanying this blog post. Both parents are often now away from the nest hunting to feed a hungry family.

Visit the Owl Research Institute’s web site to learn more. You need to create an account with Explore.Org (free) if you wish to use the snapshot tool. Be aware the snapshots you take dramatically lag what you are seeing in real time on your computer’s display. As a fyi, I support the Owl Research Institute with both financial and book donations (see my children’s books).

Snowy Owl Family (Male Snowy Owl arriving with a lemming)

Snowy Owl Cam (direct link)

Snowy Owl Family (lots of images taken using the snapshot tool)

Sunrise Fox Fight!

Year 6

I know I have often given sermons on the importance of birding and hiking the woods shortly after sunrise (or even before). This morning I was following my own advice and my morning turned magical. Although I found my target birds (Green Herons), the sunrise treat was watching a pair of fox kits romp and play for a few minutes before they discovered my presence.

Fox Fight! (my camera was “not” optimized for motion … I reaction to the motion and pressed the shutter)

The Fox Kits were now playing tag, and I had better camera settings

I am discovered!

My target bird was a Green Heron, which did not let me down.

Finally, yesterday evening an hour before sunset my oldest grandson discovered a raccoon had moved into our large white pine! The images were taken from my deck. I know from experience the Raccoon will not venture out of this den till it is truly dark.