Tag Archives: MN North: Amity

Winter Still Here … Spring does not Exist!

Year 9,

Ahem … I can not even claim that Spring is on hold. It has never arrived here in northern Minnesota. It was -4F at sunrise this morning in Sax-Zim Bog. Most of our winter birds from up north have pushed out of our region. Given the 2+ feet of snow remaining on the ground, and the fact that lakes will not ice out for a loooong time … there is almost zero migration action. These Goldeneye females availed themselves of the only open water, the Cloquet River a bit south of Sax-Zim Bog. There was one male Goldeneye about 50 yards distant. Perhaps these females were courting him??

On the local owl front, my Great Horned Owls are doing fine. Mom continues to incubate and Dad protects against all the migrating crows. These photos are from yesterday.

Ice Berry Birds!

Year 10

Two mornings ago while checking fruit trees I found a flock of pine grosbeaks enjoying fruit from one of the few pygmy crabapple trees that still has not been picked clean. The entire flock were female birds. I think all the male pine grosbeaks are already north of the border staking out prime breeding locations. Unlike us humans who do NOT like to eat the apple seeds, the grosbeaks consider that the tastiest part of the apple.

Female Pine Grosbeaks

Great Horned Owls on Display!

Year 10

Duluth is primed for another winter storm and 5 – 8 inches of snow that is supposed to start tomorrow evening. I mention this fact because the storm will make for the third storm, including one blizzard since I first found this year’s Great Horned Owl’s nest nine days ago. The poor owl mom has not had nice weather for sitting upon a nest. Thus, both owl parents were happy yesterday when the mercury rose to 39F degrees under bright blue skies. I was happy because the owls actually provided me some “photo opps” during decent weather / nice light.

First Poppa Great Horned Owl

And Now Momma …