Day 318: Unexpected Pleasures: Harlequin Duck

December 7, 2014Year 1MN North: Canal Parkrichardhoeg@gmail.com

Originally I went over to Superior this morning to see if I might capture my friendly neighborhood snowy owl against the sunrise. When that bird failed to show, I decided to stop by Canal Park and take in the early morning sights. A Laker was passing under the Aerial Bridge, and even though I am a native Duluthian, I never tire of that sight!

Before leaving I decided to take a quick peak at the flock of mallards swimming outside the breakwater. Almost turning to leave I realized one of the ducks was no mallard! In fact, I had no idea what kind of duck was swimming with the flock, except it looked unusual. Not until I returned home and did some research did I realize I had spotted a rare bird for these parts, a Harlequin Duck. I guess I have to thank Mr. Snowy for not showing up this morning! LOL!

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Two Photos of the Harlequin Duck

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The Laker that attracted my to Canal Park this morning

Day 317: Backyard Bird

December 7, 2014Year 1MN North: Amityrichardhoeg@gmail.com

After all the hard work located and photographing all the various raptors over the past few days, and given I am not feeling the greatest, I decided to try and “bring out the eye” of a black-capped chickadee. I think I succeeded!

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Day 316: Rough-Legged Hawk: Attack – Kill – Eat – Take Off

December 5, 2014Year 1MN North: Lakewoodrichardhoeg@gmail.com

I decided to return to my neighborhood Rough-Legged Hawk this afternoon and discover whether I could obtain some hunting photographs. As my photos demonstrate, the hawk definitely obliged me!

Here was my process. Once I located him, I stopped my car at some distance and let the hawk get accustomed to my car. After several minutes I inched forward at 1 to 2 miles per hour. Stopping again I then waited for the hunt to proceed. My patience was rewarded several minutes when the hawk dove on an unlucky mouse or vole. After it finished that meal, I was amazed when the rough-legged hawk flew back up to the telephone pole which was closest away from me (about 30 yards). It resumed its hunt. I decided to focus my camera on where I believed its attention was focused and hoped I might capture the instant of the kill. I did! These seven photos are all part of the hunt sequence.

I have cropped the last photograph to help readers see the rough-legged hawk’s feather legs. This hawk is one of the only birds which has feathers down to its talons. Given it spends the summer in the Canadian sub-Arctic, and the winter in northern Minnesota, the natural adaptation makes sense!