Holiday Snowy Owl Children’s Book Shopping!

Background, Year 6

Even if you don’t live in NE Minnesota and thus are not able to attend my roll out book event next Saturday, October 26th (details at bottom of post), I am offering a “roll out special” on my new children’s picture book. Through next Saturday I’ll pay the shipping costs ($2) which means you get the book for $12 total. You have to use the PayPal button found immediately under the picture of Snowy.

Snowy’s Search for Color (free pdf download)

Follow the adventures of a young Snowy Owl as it flies south from its home on the Arctic Ocean in search of color! The owl meets up with other owls, red foxes, and even Smokey the Bear! It is a magical journey.

The event is over. Thanks for your support!

  • Children’s Book Reading (age focus: 4 to 10 years old)
  • Winter Birding Talks (owls & more)
  • Saturday, Oct. 26th from 10 am to 12 pm
  • Duluth, Lester-Amity Chalet
  • Free Admission! (no registration required)

Details: Family event on 7 Bridges Road in Duluth, just below Hawk Ridge. Rich Hoeg, a Sax-Zim Bog volunteer naturalist, and local children’s book author will read his latest book, Snowy`s Search for Color. He will also give two talks on winter birding in NE Minnesota.

Schedule (attend any or all of the readings / talks)

10:00 Doors Open

10:15 Children’s Book Reading: Snowy’s Search for Color

10:30 Talk: How to Find Snowy Owls in Duluth / Superior this winter

10:45 Children’s Book Reading: Hey There Mr. Owl! (Susan Larson-Kidd)

11:00 Break

11:15  Talk: Winter Birding in NE Minnesota

11:45 Q and A

12:00 Event Ends … take a family hike on the Lester-Amity Trails!

Rich’s books will be available for sale at $12 per copy. All net proceeds will be donated to the Friends of Sax-Zim Bog, including Rich’s book earnings.

Download a free PDF version of Snowy’s Search for Color

Directions to Lester-Amity Chalet

  • Lester-Amity Chalet
  • 2940 Seven Bridges Rd (1.3 miles above Superior St.)
  • Duluth 55804
  • Note: 7 Bridges Road is also signed as both Skyline Parkway and Occidental Blvd at its start / intersection with Superior Street (near 60th Avenue East).

Let the Winter Birding Begin!

Year 6,

Even though it is  almost 60 degrees out in the Northland this afternoon, and the weather the past few days has been delightful, the first wave of Arctic birds are arriving in Northeastern Minnesota. Several Rough-Legged Hawks and Northern Shrikes have been reported in the area. While I missed seeing those species, I have been lucky enough to find several snow buntings which were not part of larger flocks (making them almost impossible to approach). This little gem was foraging for food inland from Castle Danger on the North Shore of Lake Superior.

Snow Bunting

There are still a lot of Bald Eagles and Red-Tailed Hawks migrating south through the area. Two days ago I saw both of these individuals within fifteen minutes of sunup at Sax-Zim Bog

One great note … my new sclera contact lenses seem to be helping my eyesight immensely (read back story). Without going into great detail, given their locations I would have missed seeing each of these three birds. The Snow Bunting was by itself flitting in shaded tall grasses. It’s great to have decent vision again, and I am up to seven hours wearing the lenses per day. Just as importantly I am able to be outside or drive a car (air within a car is very, very dry).

In fact, I spent yesterday afternoon doing maintenance on my ski trail just off Old Vermilion. During my 2.6 mile hike clearing deadfall, and cutting down trees which threatened the ski trail, I scared up four Rufffed Grouse (almost stepped upon them), and found this very unusual bird for NE Minnesota.

Ring-Necked Pheasant on Old Vermilion Trail

Remember … I maintain some winter bird feeders on Old Vermilion Trail. It is about 15 miles north of Duluth, and you can even go Nordic Skiing on the trails I maintain (classic only). Here is a photo I took yesterday afternoon. You can see my bow saw hanging from the small while pine on the left.

Minnesota Birding News Reprise!

Background, Year 6

I hated to remove the old Minnesota Birding News App. Over 2,000 individuals had downloaded and installed the app on their iOS or Android device. Unfortunately, the cost to maintain the app (paid by me) had grown too expensive.

I am creating a new Minnesota Birding News Service which reduces both the initial financial outlay and ongoing support costs. It is in beta and uses an RSS Feed Reader App named Feedly. Like the old app, the new service is free and contains no advertising.

If you wish to try the new Minnesota Birding News service, please be my guest … BUT given the service is in beta I WILL NOT YET ANSWER questions for folks needing installation help. Ultimately this information will be included.

Automatically received updates from 38 birding sources with a primary emphasis on Minnesota.

I welcome feedback and suggestions.