Tom Reichner wrote in post #19464008
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I was just at the Bog for 3 1/2 days. . Some things to report:
It was completely overcast the whole time I was there. . Literally did not see the sun once during 3 1/2 days, which is GREAT for bird photography because you can shoot all day without blown highlights and nasty contrast in the backgrounds and surroundings.
There is an irruption of Evening Grosbeaks this year. . Over 100 Evening Grosbeaks showing up daily at the feeders at the Welcome Center, and dozens showing up daily at Mary Lou's feeders. . I also saw Evening Grosbeaks at Auggie's Bogwalk, the Bob Russell Boardwalk, and the end of Gray Jay Way.
Pine Grosbeak numbers are way way down. . Usually crowing the Welcome Center feeders in great numbers, this year they are few and far between. . A couple show up at the Welcome Center each day, but don't hang around very long. . The best place I found for Pine Grosbeaks was the feeding station at the very beginning of the Bob Russell Boardwalk on Murphy Road.
There are barely any Common Redpolls, nor Hoary Redpolls. . Usually showing up in abundance, in flocks of hundreds, there was only one sighting that I am aware of during my time there - someone reported briefly seeing a flock of about 150 Redpolls along Arkola Road, between Owl Land and Highway 7. . They may all arrive later this month, or they may simply not come this year in the numbers we are all accustomed to. . Who knows?
A male Pileated Woodpecker is coming in to the suet feeders at the Welcome Center regularly - a few times a day, every day. . He allows for some really close up photography, like from 8 or 10 feet away, but he is on a feeder, so it does not allow for a natural photo free of manmade objects. . Feeder photos suck!
A Boreal Chickadee is coming in very reliable to the suet feeder at the end of Gray Jay Way. As those familiar with the Bog know, this requires a half mile walk to get to. . A Boreal Chickadee would be a lifer for most North American birders, so this is pretty special to have one making very regular appearances. . If you want good photos, you will have to set up your own perch and suet (or peanut butter), as the existing feeder is not at all conducive to the Chickadee landing on a perch that is suitable for high quality photography.
A few Pine Grosbeaks are also being seen there at the end of Gray Jay Way, albeit irregularly. . I saw a Snowshoe Hare there by the feeders, but it did not stick around long enough for a decent photo. Some folks also saw an Ermine there feeding on the ribcage that was set out by the feeders. . A Shrew is also putting on quite a show under the spruces to the east of the feeders, dashing across the top of the snow on a frequent basis.
Boreal Chickadees are also being seen daily at a feeder that a guide has set up along Arkola Road, on the north side of the road about a quarter mile east of the junction with Owl Lane.
Eastern Blue Jays are being seen regularly at the feeder on Murphy Road, between the intersection with Highway 7 and the parking are for the Bob Russell Boardwalk.
Everybody wanted to see a Black-backed Woodpecker, but no one that I am aware of was successful with this during my time there.
Great Grey Owls are being seen on a regular basis along Overton Road, McDavitt Road, and Admiral Road. . But they are mostly only making an appearance at dawn and dusk, when there is very little light. . I didn't bother looking for Great Grays because everyone said they are staying far off the road, which is okay for birders but not at all good for photographers, especially those who are picky and only want nicely lit, frame-filling types of images.
Here's the Boreal Chickadee. . Still gotta Photoshop the peanut butter off of the twigs. . Spent an hour with him (or her?) on Saturday afternoon and another 3 1/2 hours with him on Sunday, and got hundreds of pics. . What a great way to spend New Year's Eve and New Year's Day!
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I was just at the Bog for 3 1/2 days. . Some things to report:
It was completely overcast the whole time I was there. . Literally did not see the sun once during 3 1/2 days, which is GREAT for bird photography because you can shoot all day without blown highlights and nasty contrast in the backgrounds and surroundings.
There is an irruption of Evening Grosbeaks this year. . Over 100 Evening Grosbeaks showing up daily at the feeders at the Welcome Center, and dozens showing up daily at Mary Lou's feeders. . I also saw Evening Grosbeaks at Auggie's Bogwalk, the Bob Russell Boardwalk, and the end of Gray Jay Way.
Pine Grosbeak numbers are way way down. . Usually crowing the Welcome Center feeders in great numbers, this year they are few and far between. . A couple show up at the Welcome Center each day, but don't hang around very long. . The best place I found for Pine Grosbeaks was the feeding station at the very beginning of the Bob Russell Boardwalk on Murphy Road.
There are barely any Common Redpolls, nor Hoary Redpolls. . Usually showing up in abundance, in flocks of hundreds, there was only one sighting that I am aware of during my time there - someone reported briefly seeing a flock of about 150 Redpolls along Arkola Road, between Owl Land and Highway 7. . They may all arrive later this month, or they may simply not come this year in the numbers we are all accustomed to. . Who knows?
A male Pileated Woodpecker is coming in to the suet feeders at the Welcome Center regularly - a few times a day, every day. . He allows for some really close up photography, like from 8 or 10 feet away, but he is on a feeder, so it does not allow for a natural photo free of manmade objects. . Feeder photos suck!
A Boreal Chickadee is coming in very reliable to the suet feeder at the end of Gray Jay Way. As those familiar with the Bog know, this requires a half mile walk to get to. . A Boreal Chickadee would be a lifer for most North American birders, so this is pretty special to have one making very regular appearances. . If you want good photos, you will have to set up your own perch and suet (or peanut butter), as the existing feeder is not at all conducive to the Chickadee landing on a perch that is suitable for high quality photography.
A few Pine Grosbeaks are also being seen there at the end of Gray Jay Way, albeit irregularly. . I saw a Snowshoe Hare there by the feeders, but it did not stick around long enough for a decent photo. Some folks also saw an Ermine there feeding on the ribcage that was set out by the feeders. . A Shrew is also putting on quite a show under the spruces to the east of the feeders, dashing across the top of the snow on a frequent basis.
Boreal Chickadees are also being seen daily at a feeder that a guide has set up along Arkola Road, on the north side of the road about a quarter mile east of the junction with Owl Lane.
Eastern Blue Jays are being seen regularly at the feeder on Murphy Road, between the intersection with Highway 7 and the parking are for the Bob Russell Boardwalk.
Everybody wanted to see a Black-backed Woodpecker, but no one that I am aware of was successful with this during my time there.
Great Grey Owls are being seen on a regular basis along Overton Road, McDavitt Road, and Admiral Road. . But they are mostly only making an appearance at dawn and dusk, when there is very little light. . I didn't bother looking for Great Grays because everyone said they are staying far off the road, which is okay for birders but not at all good for photographers, especially those who are picky and only want nicely lit, frame-filling types of images.
Here's the Boreal Chickadee. . Still gotta Photoshop the peanut butter off of the twigs. . Spent an hour with him (or her?) on Saturday afternoon and another 3 1/2 hours with him on Sunday, and got hundreds of pics. . What a great way to spend New Year's Eve and New Year's Day!
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Lovely writeup, Tom; it's appreciated. The Bog is one of my top "one of these days" destinations to go try to capture Great Greys.
