Early Morning with the Gray Ghost of the Forest

Year 3

The 4F (-15.5C) did not stop me from hiking 1/2 mile along a power line into the forest shortly after sunrise. I was rewarded by being allowed to watch this Great Gray Owl hunt for its breakfast from a distance of only 20 yards. Occasionally it would change its hunting perches, but never moving very far from me. Without my friend, Greg, who was standing on a road with his high powered scope it would have been difficult to find this bird. His directions to hike another 400 yards through the deep snow rewarded me with be allowed this fantastic sight. The owl did not mind my presence, occasionally changing hunting perches that were near where I was standing.

The early morning was perfect for finding an owl. The overcast skies and calm winds made the probability of finding an owl hunting after sunrise much higher. (note: Great Gray Owls hunt in the winter by hearing their prey moving underneath the snow, and they do not like the bright glaring light off the snow which is present on clear days)

We also enjoyed seeing the Pine Grosbeaks and Common Redpolls at MaryLou’s feeders at the northwest corner of the Sax-Zim Bog.

Great Gray Ghost of the Forest (Great Gray Owl)
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Evening Grosbeak
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Common Redpoll
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Ice Flow Bird

Year 3

I was amazed how much ice this female goldeneye was willing to contend with this afternoon  while diving for food at McQuade Harbor on the North Shore of Lake Superior this afternoon! This small recreational boat launch was almost 100% iced in, but the goldeneye pushed its way through the flows till it created a four foot wide space of open water from which it made dives in an attempt to find lunch.

On a sad note, the Snowy Owl I have been watching died yesterday evening when it swooped across a highway and was hit by a car. Upon arriving south to spend the winter in our area, unfortunately these northern birds do not understand the concept of autos.

Ice Flow Female Goldeneye
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John Beargrease Sled Dog Race!

Year 3,

Had a blast today hiking into the forest and setting up shop along Dago Creek north of Two Harbors, Minnesota. The weather was crystal clear and warm (32F or 0C). For a few hours I watched sled dog teams race by from my vantage point on the frozen creek bed.

The John Beargrease Sled Dog Race runs from Two Harbors up to the Gunflint Trail, and then back down to Duluth, and is the longest race in the lower 48 states (400 miles). Many mushers use it as a tune-up for the longer Alaska Iditarod. Although our race may not be as fierce as Alaska’s, the racers can expect the temperatures to plunge below zero (-16C).

The race itself is named after and commemorates the Native American, John Beargrease, who first delivered mail and packages by dog sled team along the North Shore of Lake Superior. Learn more about the man.

Here are photos from my outing.
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