Greenwood Creek Boreal Bog Canada Lynx

Year 12

Oh my … was my heart thumping after seeing this Canada Lynx early this morning!!! This was no where near the bird feeders. I was hiking deep within the Boreal forest when I came over a rise, and realized a lynx was inspecting something on the ground only 50 yards in front of me. Thankfully I was wearing camouflage and came to a full stop before the lynx looked up. In addition the sun was partially behind me, and the strong breeze was at the big cat’s back (i.e. it could not smell me). The cat finally looked up and started walking right towards me! Upon seeing me, it dropped down to the ground an gave me a loooong stare for over a minute.

Lynx are an endangered species in northern Minnesota. The Superior National Forest estimates there are only 136 of these beautiful creatures in northeastern Minnesota. Thankfully the population seems to be increasing (read more on the the Superior National Forest’s Lynx web page.

Actually, due my trailcam sightings I have known for over one year there were lynx in the the area, but I had never seen one with my own eyes. That fact changed this morning!!!

Superior National Forest Canada Lynx

The lynx and I had a “stare down” once the big cat realized I was in front of it on the trail. Note its HUGE paws which are optimized for running across northern Minnesota’s deep snow as it preys upon snowshoe hare.

Owls and Sapsuckers!

Year 12,

This Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker insisted in having its photograph taken. It was working away at a tree only feet off our deck, and stayed in this one location (food motivates) long enough for me to walk down the hill to our garage, get something, walk back up to the house, go inside and then get my camera. Sapsucker’s are one of my favorite woodpecker. I think this is the unique bird which drums in the tree nest to our bedroom window every morning at 5:00 am. Who needs an alarm clock?!

Finally, here are two More videos from yesterday’s Great Horned Owlet Rescue. Make certain you see yesterday’s post which has some cool videos and images from the actual rescue.  These two movies were taken with my good camera.

The first video was taken shortly after I found the owlets and before the DNR and the Community Service Police Officer arrived to effect the rescue. (video link for email subscribers)

The second video was taken shortly after this particular owlet had been removed / rescued from the dog park. The owl was not happy with us, but quieted down quickly. (video link for email subscribers)

Great Horned Owlet Rescue … Times Two!!!

Year 12

Today was an unexpected but special day. Molly knows I have been experiencing M.O.S. (missing owlet syndrome). After six years of watching Les and Amy raise Great Horned Owlets near my home, I was looking forward to a seventh year. Although I found this season’s nest, four weeks ago for unknown reasons the nest failed (night time raccoon attack??).

Anyhow this morning I had some intelligence on a family of Great Horned Owlets within driving distance of my northern Minnesota home. Leaving shortly before 6:30 am I went to visit the owl location. After walking around for ten minutes, I heard an “owl squawk” which I recognized as a female Great Horned Owl. I knew wherever Mom was, the owlets had to be near by … I just did not realize how near the owlets were to me. I had been scanning high up in the white pines, but briefly I looked down and discovered two owlets were on the ground within 10 yards of my location.

I backed off immediately, as I was obviously too close. Unfortunately the owlets were on the ground within a fenced dog park. My inspection of the owlets told me their flight feathers were not fully developed, and that both birds had likely experienced a “controlled crash” from the trees the prior night. I realized this was NOT a good situation for either owls or dogs. They could not escape any dogs that found them within the dog park.

Thankfully for most of the time I was the only person present (no dogs). I contacted both the local police and DNR. Between the three of us, we briefly captured the owls and released them moments later outside the fenced in dog park area. Momma Owl was watching us the entire time. Both owlets are now still on the ground (not unusual), but in safer protected thickets where I assume they will use downed tree boughs to climb back up into some white pines. My thanks to the Minnesota DNR and the local police department (not named to protect the owl’s location). Both organizations responded to my help requests and were instrumental in saving the owlets. Normally one should leave owlets found on the ground alone, but not when the owlets could not fly and were within a fenced dog park.

Today was also my half way point for cancer radiation treatment (20 out of 40 treatments). God provided me a real gift.

Enjoy!!!

My view when I finally looked down, and not up into the trees!

Owlet A (trying to scare a dog which appeared at one point)

Owlet B (trying to scare me when I got too close)

Momma Great Horned Owl

The Rescue Video! (video link for email subscribers)

Owlet B in its new home outside the dog park