The weather is ugly this weekend across Minnesota. It’s raining in Duluth with 50 mph wind gusts. There are great waves out on Lake Superior. It is even snowing just a bit north of Duluth on the Iron Range. Weather like this means no birding or bicycling, which means it’s a perfect time for upgrading my online presence.

The first big change is a reworked search engine for my blog. Results should be more relevant. You will find the search box on the far right of the menubar (large screen version), and at the bottom of the mobile menu on your cell phone.

In addition, I made the decision to increase my presence on Instagram. Thus, I have edited that account and am now frequently adding images. If you are on Instagram and would like to check me out, and possibly start a follow, here is the link … Rich Hoeg on Instagram

Here is a screenshot which shows where search is found in the mobile menu. I am also working through some changes for the Minnesota Birdings News mobile app, but those upgrades are still a few weeks in the future.

Hey there Mr. Owl is a finalist for the Northeast Minnesota Book Awards sponsored by the University of Minnesota.  For the second time I collaborated with Susan Larson Kidd (the author) and Sparky Stensaas (book designer). All the photographs in the book are mine.

In our children’s book, while your special child learns to read and is introduced to the five senses (touch, taste, feel, smell and hear), they will follow owls around the Northern Forest as each owl meets up with other forest birds and mammals (see end of blog post for a complete list).

Up until Awards Night on May 23rd, you may also download a free version of my upcoming NEW children’s book, Snowy’s Search for Color. The print version will be available by Christmas. Feedback in the comments concerning my new book is greatly appreciated. (PDF Format Reading Screenshot for my new book)

Here are some page previews of our book, Hey there Mr. Owl!, which is up for the NEMBA Award, along with a purchase link.

Purchase book … normal price is $12 per copy Book Preview: Front Cover

Book Preview: Page 2 and 3 (page 1 is a title page)

Book Preview: Page 4 and 5

Book Preview: Page 6 and 7

Book Preview: Page 32 and Back Cover

Owls found within the book

• Barred Owl
• Boreal Owl
• Great Gray Owl
• Great Horned Owl
• Northern Hawk Owl
• Northern Saw-whet Owl
• Snowy Owl

Other birds found within the book

• American Goldfinch
• Red-Winged Blackbird

Mammals found within the book

• American Beaver
• American Mink
• Gray Fox
• Red Fox
• River Otter
• Skunk
• Snowshoe  Hare
• White-Tailed Deer

Make certain you also visit my Birding with Children section of this web site. It has ideas and projects which will hep you introduce a child to the world of birds!