Spring?? or Winter??

Year 7,

Wait a day, and winter will slam back into the Northland. Yesterday was a delightful day with temperatures reaching the low 50’s at our house for the first time this Spring. I even went cycling wearing shorts … albeit I climbed away from Lake Superior and escaped inland. 25+ mph winds were blowing and I knew it would be frigid down at the shore, only 800 yards from our home.

The nice weather meant I spent 7 hours hiking the forest trails, both near my house, Minnesota Point at dawn, and the MacQuarrie Wetlands during mid morning. Maintaing social distance was easy. Per my norm, 99% of the time I saw noone. At the wetlands, the ice was in the process of going out. It is amazing how birds discover this fact (ice out) immediately. I saw hundreds of ducks, lots of songbirds, and three pair of Trumpeter Swans which were battling for dominance. These wetlands have about 12 ponds, and are prime habitat. It was fun to see these huge birds attack each other, all the while trumpeting their claim.

The winning pair of Trumpeter Swans

Of course no day would be complete with trips to visit my owl family. Near sunset I was rewarded with some family portraits. Better yet, I believe there are in fact two owlets in the nest. It is amazing how such huge birds … the Mom and its two chicks can hide within their home and avoid being seen by anyone … man or beast.

Family Portrait … Great Horned Owls

This morning Winter has reclaimed northern Minnesota. Fierce snow squalls have been dumping snow on the ground. I did hike over to the owl’s nest during one squall. The birds did not look happy. I understand.

Daily Owl Post

Year 7

Stay at home Coronavirus orders. Lucky for me my neighborhood abounds with birds … perhaps because of my six bird feeders?! From last evening … a family portrait …

And some Pileated Woodpecker love from this morning …

He Loves Me! A female Pileated Woodpecker jumps for joy when her boyfriend unexpectedly proposed marriage this morning. A Duluth Amity Creek Wedding is planned for April 8th.

As a fyi … male pileated woodpeckers have a scarlet moustache.

Dangerous Weapons! Owl Talons!

Year 7
During this nesting season, I have been watching this male Great Horned Owl since early February. He does all the hunting while his mate spends 100% of her time on the nest … first incubating and then tending to the young. It also his job to attack any crows which venture to near the nest.
 
Based upon signs I have seen at the bottom of his favorite perching trees, the family has dined on rabbits, a barred owl, crows and pigeons (lots and lots of the last two kinds of birds). In fact, while standing underneath the nest today, a crow’s feather fluttered down right by me.
 
After two nesting seasons of watching this pair of owls, they pretty much ignore me. The nest is extremely well hidden and way up high in a white pine tree. Here is a photo I took of Mom with one of her chicks early this morning.