Catching Up … Looking Back … Looking Forward

Background, Year 6

I am at the start of a Thanksgiving tour which includes meeting my new Grandchild, Crosby, followed up by another long drive to spend Turkey Day with my other children and their families. Finding time to bird will be difficult, particularly areas in which I am not familiar. Thus … catching up of a few tasks:

  • Sax-Zim Bog Birding Report: Snow has come to the Bog, as have two Northern Hawk Owls! Winter finches as I forecast are very hard to find. The owls have not yet established winter hunting territories and are ranging around quite a bit.
  • Minnesota Birding News: Out of Beta! Now Released! Installed and running without issues by 80 people. Get this free service which I created and be informed about current news within the Minnesota birding community (38 sources at present)

White-Winged Crossbills, unlike the finches, are in evidence in the Bog … there is a good crop of pine cones for Crossbills.

The forgotten videos (at least by me!). I took both of these short videos over the past month, but forgot to post same. Rectifying that omission now.

Sleep Saw-whet Owl (video link for email subscribers)

Snow Geese of Superior (video link for email subscribers)

A Tradition of Bears!

Background, Year 6

When each of my three children were born, I immediately upon leaving the hospital purchased a Teddy Bear for my new child! Even though I am 63 years old, my own “Tommy Bear” has followed me through life.

Announcing the arrival of Crosby Carroll Hoeg … and his bear! Bear and boy arrived safely in this world two nights ago, and are now home. The photograph includes “big sister” with her bear, baby boy Hoeg and his bear, and finally my son … the new Dad with his bear! One change, the latest bear arrived via Amazon one day delivery … it’s a Gund (the best).  What family traditions do you have? Our bear tradition is 3 generations old!

Finally, I was surprised and deeply moved (okay, I cried), my new grandson’s middle name was my own Dad’s middle name. This is my sixth grandchild, but the first to carry on the Hoeg family last name. Tradition! Cue Fiddler on the Roof.

Aurora Borealis and Meteor Shower Possible Tonight!

Year 6

Normally I do not post in advance about possible celestial displays, but tonight could be a once in a lifetime event (Thursday, November 21st). Around 10:30 pm Central Time there is a fair chance of a combined Northern Lights display and intense meteor shower. Both events are rare; a combination of the two is a unheard of possibility.

Here is an article from the Washington Post speaking to the likelihood of a meteor shower. There could be over 100 meteors in a fifteen minute period … or nothing!

In terms of predicting the Aurora Borealis, use this service from NASA & NOAA named Ovation Aurora. I have annotated a screenshot I took this morning as an example.

  • Learn more about camera settings, good locations, etc via my Northern Lights page.
  • Boulder Lake is an excellent viewing location near Duluth. A map and other instructions may be found upon my Northern Lights page.
  • I would be in place at your preferred location by 10:15 pm Central Time, or earlier depending upon the Aurora numbers. Skies are forecast to clear in NE Minnesota this evening, and the moon will not be above the horizon … thus dark, clear skies should be the name of the game!