Bridged while Birding! (videos)

Perhaps I should have just titled this post Morning on Minnesota Point, but if one visits Duluth at some point you will get “bridged”. While some folks might find having to wait 15+ minutes for a freighter to steam in or out of the harbor, we Duluthians take it in stride. If the Aerial Life Bridge is up, you have been “bridged”. Two possible responses to being bridged are to fume at the delay, or take a native’s approach. Leave your car in the middle of the road and walk over the pier to watch the boats. I took the latter approach.

Alpena Arriving in Canadian Sunrise Forest Fire Haze

I was actually heading home when I was bridged. My arrival on Park Point was timed to be shortly after sunup. By 5:30 am I was hiking the dunes and beaches. This Brown Thrasher greeted me with song the moment I started my hike.

After some time on the dunes, I walked over to do some beach combing. While I did see some Common Loons fishing close in to shore, no Red-Throated Loons made their presence known. However there were hundreds of Ruddy Turnstones and Sanderlings migrating north together. Even though I only had two hours for birding given I had to be home by 7:40 am, it was a great relaxing time. I had the beach to myself most of the time.

Owlet … Fledged … Mobbed by Crows (video)

My Great Horned Owl twins fledged on Thursday. Throughout the day I tried to find them in the nest area without success. After supper I hiked over to their territory, and when I heard crows obviously mobbing a bird some distance off, I continued my hike through the pine forest. My youngsters were now moving around the forest, but discovered the world can be a cruel place. Thankfully they survived the mobbing with some help from their Dad who appeared and convinced 20+ crows to follow him. This left about five crows which were intent upon harassing the owlet. However, these chicks are now big, and pack some punch themselves. See the third image.

The Attack

The Defense

Proud and Victorious!

Great Horned Owl Family Watching Crow Attack

This morning I watched the Great Horned Owl family watch their Dad take one for the team. Mom was hanging very tight against the trunk of the White Pine with her two owlets while Dad perched in another tree and attracted the attention of the crows. He then flew off with more than 20 crows in pursuit. Mom obviously knew of my presence, but please realize I have a very long zoom lens, and am no where near the owls.

Great Horned Owl Family Watches Dad Fly By With Crows in Pursuit.

Mom Checking Me Out … Owlets Start to Watch Fly By

Entire owl family watching Dad circling with crows in pursuit

Second Owlet has moved out of sight

Mom looks over at me again. Youngster still watching crows and Dad.

Fly By is Over … Back to Sleep for Owlet