Normally every spring I can count upon Great Gray Owls becoming somewhat easier to find for about 10 days towards the end of May. Such is the case this year. Both Friday and yesterday I found owls at dramatically different locations. I am pretty certain both birds were females which have now come off their nests … the owlets have been born and are getting bigger which means the parent Great Grays need to hunt a lot … including after sunrise. In both instances I found the owls around 7:00 am. (almost two hours after sunrise this time of year).

Yes … I am extremely close to this owl, but when the bird flies over and lands within 15 yards of your location … what are you supposed to do?!

I visited Sax-Zim Bog last Wednesday, and while it was not as “birdy” as the migration in progress along Lake Superior near Duluth, I had fun hiking along McDavitt Road. This Rose-Breasted Grosbeak was proclaiming its territory just north of the “Miracle Mile”. Make certain you watch (and listen) to the video. I love old Red’s singing, and to me his song sounds a bit like American Robin but where the songster didn’t quite pull off the imitation exactly. You decide! (video and singing link for email subscribers)

And more from my McDavitt Meanderings …

Brown Thrasher

Black-Billed Magpie

This Killdeer couple were actually hanging out on Hwy 229. There are quite a few hay bales that never were put up last fall, and I assume they are now bug magnets.