Tag Archives: MN North: Sax-Zim Bog

The Raptors of Sax-Zim Bog!

Year 4

It was a great late afternoon at Sax-Zim Bog. I scored this trifecta! In addition there are a number of Northern Hawk Owls in the Bog this winter. The action is on Admiral and McDavitt Roads. My encounter with the Great Gray Owl was at sunset in the shade, while the other birds (Immature Bald Eagle and Rough Legged Hawk) were hunting working at obtaining their evening meal about 30 minutes before sunset.

Thanksgiving afternoon I went hiking with some friends at a classic Minnesota location on Lake Superior, Split Rock Lighthouse. It was a beautiful day.

The Hunters! (video)

Year 4,

Before sunrise I drove over to Superior in search of Snowy Owls. While I did not find any owls, about ten minutes before sunrise I spied an early hunting Rough-Legged Hawk. I was actually surprised to see it hunting before sunup. Thus, I positioned my car as a blind and captured the hawk in the very first rays of morning sun … less than five minutes after the golden orb popped above the horizon.

This afternoon I had planned on just chilling out, but when I got wind of a Northern Hawk Owl up near Stone Lake Road in Sax-Zim Bog I quickly changed those plans. While I never found the owl, I had a blast watching this mink for over ten minutes as it fished the small creek adjacent to Stone Lake Road. Finally right at sun down I watched another Rough-Legged Hawk near the greenhouse on Hwy #7 … the second time I had seen it in that area this afternoon. I did make a few swings along McDavitt Road towards sunset but did not find any Great Gray Owls. Even with the misses, it was a great day out in the woods.

Sax-Zim Bog Mink

Rough-Legged Hawk at Sunrise

Pine Grosbeak Northwoods Explosion

Year 4, ,

There has been an explosion of pine grosbeaks entering our area. These beautiful birds are everywhere!

Find a berry or crab apple tree, find a grosbeak!

Drive a dirt road two hours after sunrise, find a grosbeak eating grit.

During my hikes I also found Wile E. Coyote loping along some railroad tracks. He wanted nothing to do with me, but did stop briefly to check me over!

Finally, a quick update on my book … But That Is Not Me! I just edited the Birding With Children Page. Each bird featured in the book now is listed with links to videos, songs, map ranges, etc!