Feathers Down to the Talons! Rough-Legged Hawk

Year 10

This Rough-Legged Hawk (Cornell link) is one of the only three American raptors with feathers all the way down their legs to their talons (not including owls). The other two are the Golden Eagle and the Ferruginous Hawk. All three of these birds live in areas with extreme cold, and over hundreds and hundreds of years their bodies have adapted.

Rough-Legged Hawk Legs Close-Up

I had a great time just a few minutes before sunset yesterday up in Sax-Zim Bog. The large raptors are arriving from the Arctic. Rough-Legged Hawks will hang around in Northeastern Minnesota till the snow piles up on the ground (hawks don’t like to hunt through snow). Given the sun which was extremely low to the horizon and was in the hawk’s eyes, even though I was close it could not see me as it hunted.

Rough-Legged Hawk Take-Off Sequence (it only moved 30 yards to a new hunting perch)

Bog Owl Hunting

Year 10

Yesterday morning up in Sax-Zim Bog (Northeastern Minnesota) I found this Great Gray Owl hunting for its breakfast. While it looks like the owl was starting right at me, shortly after the 2nd video clip it dove and caught something only 10 yards in front of me (video link for email subscribers)

Better yet, this afternoon it is supposed to be sunny and 47F! The last time we had a truly sunny day was over nine days ago. Quite a few Rough-Legged and Red-Tailed Hawks have now arrived in Sax-Zim. I am looking forward to doing some bird watching along Hwy #133, and then given sunset is now so early, I may also go owling. Cheers.

Blowout Birding

Year 10

Ever have a “blowout birding” trip? Molly and I are experiencing just such a trip right now. We love to travel up the shore of Lake Superior each November and stay at a cool Scandinavian modern apartment. November is the dead season time on the shore, which we love. The leaf peepers are gone, and the skiers / snowmobilers won’t arrive till shortly before Christmas. Grand Marais is only 1 hour and 50 minutes from our home, and while it would be an easy day excursion from our house, the getaway allows us to totally relax and enjoy each other

Okay, why a “blowout”? When we arrived last night there were 40 mph winds blowin gin off Lake Superior. As the winds picked up moisture they generated an early winter storm. The southerly headwinds to migration insured winter birds that visit our area stayed in Canada. The deep snow meant exploring remote backroads off the Gunflint Trail were not possible. While we did drive up the Gunflint Trail and took a shorter hike on a plowed dirt road, even that hike was shortened when we started slipping, and my case falling, on the ice underneath the snow. Thus, both birding and exploring are out of the question and we returned to our lodging.

Eventually cabin fever forced me out into the dizzle and I sat in my car next to the Grand Marais harbor. One lone bald eagle enjoyed scaring hundreds of gulls. Finally a flock of Buffleheads stopped nearby and snacked on whatever tasty bits they found on the harbor bottom. Thus, my camera did finally get a workout.

I am back at our apartment, The Aurora at the 3 Sisters. Please realize Molly and I are still having a most excellent time. We are spending lots of time together this afternoon without any distractions, which has always been too rare over our 40 years of marriage. Perhaps this blowout was a blessing?!