Tag Archives: MN North: Two Harbors Highlands

Two Owls for Two Visitors

Year 8

Over the past two days I’ve taken two people owling … my friend, Jeff and my son, Erik. Even though the weather has been sunny, cold with a bit of wind which is generally not good for owling, the Great Gray Owls came through in flying colors. However, when it comes to Snowy Owls I am becoming frustrated. I have seen the beautiful male snowy both of the last two days, including this morning, but always from a great distance. Oh well …

I also may have found the nesting site for my local Great Horned Owls. The number of post sundown hikes in the dark which I have taken recently is amazing. If I’m wrong I will have to wait for the crows to fill me in on the proper location when the owlets start to move about the nesting tree. Last year the 1st egg was laid on February 8th.

Erik’s morning owl

Bohemian Waxwing Bonanza

Year 8

The huge flock of Bohemian Waxwings continues to move around about ten miles north of Duluth. Today the birds had descended upon an old berry / crabapple farm. When I first found the birds this morning, it was gloomy with a snow squall in progress. Three hours later when a weather front had blown through, the temperature has drop from 33F to 14F along with a 25 mph wind and sun. Not really sure how many waxwings are in the total flock, but it is over 1,000 birds. A few years ago the Bohemian Waxwing was my nemesis bird, and I could not find even one individual. I never expected to see a flock this big in my life. The invasion from Canada of Boreal Birds continues (sorry Don … no Boreal Owls!).

Eating some Crabapples

Sloppy Seconds (eating fruit that has fallen onto the snow)

Bohemian Waxwings Wing Markings (Cedar Waxwings do not have yellow on their wings, and they are smaller)

Early Morning (small part of flock … maximize photo to see crabapple tree in foreground with waxwings)

Flock on the move (morning and afternoon … video link one and two for email subscribers)

Beating the Pandemic!

Year 8,

This Pandemic rots. I obviously don’t need to tell anyone that fact, but it still rots big time. Here in northern Minnesota folks may think we might be challenged in finding ways to safely get together with friends. Not true! Winter and cold temperatures are only a problem should you choose to have a defeatist attitude. Thursday evening Molly and I got together with good friends … safely and outdoors. We sat outside, wearing our long underwear, and enjoyed a roaring fire plus good fellowship. My friend Jon has even built snow walls to protect against the winds blowing in off Lake Superior. In total we sat outside for over 3 hours in 20+ degree weather. I was never cold! (warm chili and a glass of wine helped). I hope everyone else is “beating the Pandemic”. (remember … Molly has her own blog)

Obviously for me, in addition to outdoor gatherings in the northern Minnesota Winter, birding helps beat the Pandemic. Over the past few days I saw this Barred Owl, and quite a few Great Grays.