Bright Red on a Winter Day (Yr. 2: Day 35)

Year 2

Within the past week a few cardinals have returned to the Northland. Their presence is definitely enjoyed after a long winter of white. The days are starting to get longer now, and soon the severe cold will give way to days with above freezing temperatures. Thus, it’s nice to see a few early spring migrants, particularly the “red” ones!

Off topic for this post, given all the demand based upon my interview published in the Star Tribune, I have now added the ability to purchase high resolution photos of my bird, nature and landscape photography. However, as always, you are welcome to download a watermarked image at no cost from this web site or my Flickr account for personal, non public use.

Early Spring Migrant: Northern Cardinal
Y2-D035-Cardinal

The Failed Bird Photograph (Yr. 2: Day 34)

Year 2

Two weeks ago I posted some dramatic photos of a Northern Hawk Owl in an ice encrusted tree with a perfect blue sky in the background. I included a long description about what goes into the “perfect photograph). Today I have decided to post the “Failed Photograph” with a discussion about the experience! My subject is once again a Northern Hawk Owl.

Yesterday I became excited when I heard a new Northern Hawk Owl had been reported not too far from my home. Although the forecast for this morning included clouds, high winds and snow, a bit before sunrise the clouds blew out and gave us perfectly blue skies. The decision was quickly made … time to go “owling”. At 8 am I located the Hawk Owl. Better yet, it was perched at the top of a pine tree right next to the road with the morning sun providing perfect light. For the next 30 minutes I stood outside in the cold, waiting for the hunt to be successful (fyi … northern hawk owls unlike other owls hunt in the daytime). Although the sun felt good on my back through my heavy winter parka, the cold was beginning to freeze my fingers … mittens not withstanding. Finally … the takeoff! and the failure!

The Failed Northern Hawk Owl Flight Photo!
Y2-D034-Northern-Hawk-Owl-3

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A photo from while I was waiting!
Y2-D034-Northern-Hawk-Owl-1

Sharp-Tailed Grouse (Yr. 2: Day 33)

Year 2

Share Saz-Zim Bog with a friend! Better yet, bring along two Lutheran pastors and hope some divine intervention will help your birding results! 🙂

Pastor Greg, Pastor John and I spent a delightful, productive day at the bog. We made the decision not to try for a great gray owl which would have required us to reach the bog by 6:45 am. Given the temperature was -17F, we waited for it to warm up a touch and did not reach the bog till about 8:20 a.m. when the sunny skies had warmed the area to -11F!

From the start we had a good time by seeing a small flock of sharp-tailed grouse. the grouse are located about 1.5 miles south of the Welcome Center. I have found these grouse may easily be found within 1.5 hours of sunrise, but later in the day it gets dicey. Checking out a number of other known hot spots we were able to get good looks at:

  • Black Billed Magpies
  • Boreal Chickadees
  • Evening Grosbeaks
    and
  • Grey Jays

In addition we saw all of the usual suspects! In short, a good day birding with friends.

Sharp-Tailed Grouse
Y2-D033-Sharp-Tailed-Grouse-2 Y2-D033-Sharp-Tailed-Grouse-3

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Evening Grosbeak
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