Tag Archives: MN North: Sax-Zim Bog

Owls, Eagles & Kayaks

Year 9,

Although this morning would be another grand morning to search for hungry raptors, I need to be at home to sign for a package … a new tool for my birding quiver … a folding kayak. Oru Kayak makes a boat that folds up Origami style, and only weighs 25 pounds. The theory is I can easily throw this kayak in the back of my Subaru Outback, and area lakes and streams will now be even more available to me. It is my combined Christmas & Birthday present. I will post a review when our “white water” disappears this spring. In the meantime, I am acquiring the Beach LT model. Here is a video review from a gentleman who has 53k subscribers to his YouTube channel (video link for email subscribers)

However, now on to the star of our show, the Great Gray Owl. I promised more images from yesterday morning’s hunt up in Sax-Zim Bog.

Great Gray Take-Off (unsuccessful hunt)

Great Gray Owl Post Blizzard Winter Scenes (maximizing images is recommended)

And now back to our Bald Eagle Food Fight from the prior afternoon … Sharing is NOT allowed.

This is how it started!

This is how it ended!

Christmas Owl!

Year 9

This week saw us experience a HUGE blizzard up here in the Northland. Depending upon your elevation and downwind location from Lake Superior, snow totals were from 20 to 30 inches of snow. Weather conditions were finally supposed to moderate early this morning with calm winds. Given raptors are not able to effectively hunt during a blizzard, I thought that Great Gray Owls would be hungry after over two days of not eating.

Jackpot! I watched this Great Gray hunt for over 75 minutes well after sunrise this morning. More images will be coming from my time with “gray”, but for now … Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

Ash Seeds Served!

Year 9

Unlike last winter, there is a bumper crops of mountain ash berries, pygmy crab apples and ash tree seeds. Pine Grosbeaks are around the Northland in significant numbers, but not visiting feeders much due to all the natural food. I find the best time of day to find lots of Pine Grosbeaks is around “9 ish” in the morning. Both the Grosbeaks and Common Redpolls will “grit up”, and then you can inspect what is on the menu that morning. I saw these birds two mornings ago.

Pine Grosbeak Eating Ash Seeds

Bohemian Waxwings on Nichols Lake Road

Ruffed Grouse

Pine Grosbeak Eating Ash Seeds (video link for email subscribers)