Tag Archives: MN North: Canosia Wildlife Area

Eagles, Ospreys and Owls … Oh My!

Year 9,

Sorry my fingers pressed publish too quickly with the prior post. As noted a day or two back I am having issues with my computer. The short term solution challenges me.

Perhaps I also should have named this post Raptor Rhapsody! Yesterday was nature’s music, and finally there were major signs of spring in the Northland. While Lake Superior’s water is still hanging in there in the high 30’s F., and none of the local lakes have yet experienced ice out (anyone for ice fishing opening weekend??!), there were definitely signs that made a person smile:

  • Ospreys have returned to our area, including Steam Shovel Sally!
  • Immature Bald Eagles are trying to claim some territory
  • Mom Great  Horned Owl left the nest for the first time in two months
  • Common Redpolls exited the area for the sub-Arctic, and I went from filling my six feeders 3+ times per day to a few days on … my feeders are still quite full.

Here is Steamshovel Sally’s cousin during a take-off. The ospreys live about five miles apart. (last image is a preening fluffle)

Notice the difference between the first photographs and the very last image of the Great Horned Owl family. Mom is missing! By this morning she was back on the nest, but the owlets are large enough now that both owl parents must hunt to take care of the growing family. In the first three images the largest owlet is having some lunch, and based upon its talon the youngster is NOT sharing with its sibling.

Lunch time videos … white noise are the rapids right next to the nest, and the wind gusting in off Lake Superior. (video links for email subscribers: one | two)

This Bald Eagle is at the “Frito Bandito” stage. The coloration of its plumage suggests this bird is between 3 and 4 years old, and will soon be an adult with a white head and tail.

Finally … I LOVE this sign because is says ME all over it! Somewhere in the boreal forest of northeastern Minnesota on a very remote dirt road this morning.

Eagles, Hawks and Owls Taking Off!

Year 8

I haven’t posted much over the past few days because we had a humdinger of a winter storm here in the Northland. Yesterday when the sun finally came out I was marooned at our house. 60+ mph wind gusts brought down some pine trees which blocked my only exit from my small neighborhood. Just as well because I needed to shovel all the snow off the sidewalk and driveway.

However, this morning I escaped and arrived at Sax-Zim Bog a half hour before dawn. Perhaps that was not a great idea. The mercury was -18F. While the winds had finally abated the severely cold temperature is never great for birding.

On the way home I did find a very cooperative Rough Legged Hawk. See the very final image which will show you how you may know when a raptor is about to take off … within seconds! Cheers.

Look towards the bottom center of this image!!! At this point you would want to press the shutter down, and keep it down (continuous mode)

Birds on Ice

Year 8, , ,

Contrary to popular belief I very much enjoy watching birds other than owls! Yesterday was just such a morning as I captured “Birds on Ice!”. This new ice performance drama is brought to you every winter wherever food may be found. Unlike summer when birds disperse for nesting purposes, in the winter birds flock together and rarely fly far from a good food source. Todays food sources are:

  • Common Redpolls (visiting a thicket of loaded berry trees in the Canosia Wildlife Area): These little guys are all across the Northland, and as natural foods are consumed everyone should start to see them visiting feeders later this winter.
  • Mallards (all quacked up over a great joke): These wild ducks know that the domestic geese at the Forest Hill Cemetery get served corn. What’s good for the goose, is good for the ducks.
  • Mourning Doves (near my own bird feeders): I never used to think of these doves as a winter bird, but each year I have 10+ that winter in my own yard. They eat a Hoeg’s Cafe every morning, and hide from the bitter winds in the thicks pines and cedar trees.

Finally, while driving home from my late afternoon / early evening Snowy Owl experience, I realize the same calm winds and mild temperatures would make for a great night on the Duluth waterfront! The Federal Clyde, sailing under the colors of the Marshall Islands, loads its latest cargo about 9 pm last night.