Tag Archives: MN North: Amity

Sticking the Landing! Great Horned Owl

Year 7
I’ve been watching my Great Horned Owl family since February 8th when they nested near my Duluth Amity Creek home (and listening to the parents hoot after sundown since late November). This morning at sunrise I spent 90 minutes with the triplets.
For the first 60 minutes a whole lot of sleeping was going on, but then Mom arrived and told the kids it was time to get more protected perches before the daily crow attacks began (serious comment … when Mom owl arrives the kids know its time to bed down for the day deep within the white pines). Thus, I adjusted my camera settings and waited. Just like fishermen have favorite spots, owls have preferred branches. It is a 100% requirement that the branch upon which this youngest of the owlets is landing must be utilized before a longer flight.
It was really nice to see the youngest chick flying around so well. This is the owlet I rescued three weeks ago when it was not very flight capable. If you would like to see some images and video from that rescue, follow this link.

Wake-Up and Morning Stretch

Count the Owls! (you will need to maximize this image)
Two!
Stretch!

Dreary Day Photography: Find Waldo?!

Year 7, ,

The last two days have been dreary. Light fog has been ever present with a breeze out of the Northeast off Lake Superior (i.e. cold). Temperatures struggle to get much above 50, and during my daily bike ride next to lake … even colder. This begs the question, what is a wildlife / bird photographer supposed to do? The answer is … find color! When the skies are not blue, and the light is dim the world still abounds with color.

From yesterday afternoon’s bike ride … Find Waldo!

In case, you needed help!

An Indigo Bunting atop Hawk Ridge this morning with Spring green in the background.

And of course, the daily owl report. My Great Horned Owlets are getting big, but they are still sloppy. This morning they threw down a half eaten rabbit to me. I passed given I had already had my breakfast.

Take-Off of the Pelican Patrol

Year 7,

Oh my it was windy yesterday. The wind was gusting up to 30 mph off Lake Superior. This made birding a challenge. First, what bird in its right mind would migrate into such a strong NE wind. In addition, any birds already in the area wanted to hide from the wind. I actually saw some warblers at Mud Lake (St. Louis River backwaters), but they quickly disappeared down into the reeds. Smart move on their part.

I had not planned on visiting Chambers Grove, but given its proximity to Mud Lake I made the short drive. There were still White Pelicans hanging out on the island’s rock reef. Somehow I knew that they would fly soon, and a positioned myself to catch the take-off.

Take-Off of the Pelican Patrol

Naturally I hiked over to visit my owls. As expected they were perched in spots up in the various white pines that were a bit more protected from the wind. Even so, multiple times I saw the youngsters almost get blown off their perches.

Two of the Great Horned Owl Triplets

In addition, my Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker continues to look for love in my yard. Wish him luck!