The golden orb finally returned this morning, and I was waiting … visited the Great Horned Owl family only moments after sunrise. Quite frankly, the owls were tired and by 20 minutes post sunrise everyone was sleeping, but before ….
Great Horned Owl Family Minutes After Sunrise
The Big Snooze Starts and I Leave! (video link for blog email subscribers)
While I have tried via many, many hikes, I have not been able to find Les, Amy and their owlets this spring. However, I would like to introduce Stella and the twins, Vox and Pax! Obviously there is a Great Horned Owl Poppa (named Stan), but he is shy when I am around with my camera. I gave the twins names not normally associated with any given sex. While I am able to tell adult Great Horned Owls apart, I personally can not make this judgement with owlets.
I have watching this owl family for about a week, but have yet to have a “sunny photo opp session”. Images with the great yellow orb will come. For now, here is this year’s Great Horned Owl family (not yard birds, but not to far from my home)
The Twins (Pax and Vox)
Momma Great Horned Owl (Stella is always watching her owlets)
A new winter storm is bearing down upon Northeastern Minnesota, and deeper snow could change the birding dramatically. To our northwest including the farm area of NW Minnesota into SE Manitoba, the plains are almost snow free. Thus, there is little incentive for the raptors in those at this time areas to push further south … including more Snowy Owls. The Wisconsin DNR has reported the early surge of Snowy Owls this season has come to a screeching halt.
Some other notes:
A female Pine Grosbeak enjoying a meal over the weekend near my home in Duluth Lakeside.
