Sax Zim Bog - northern hawk owl and others

I went looking for great gray owls, which I have yet to find. I'm starting to think they're like unicorns and don't really exist. Anyway, I did find a northern hawk owl, and a few other birds.

Hawk owls are diurnal, and are fairly easy to find if you're looking in the right place. They are crow sized, and perch at the top of trees, out in the open. You can see this one at the very top of the tallest tree. I took this with the G-10 to show more of the environment. The air temp was -17F, wind chill probably -25F.

These are great Liz....I really like the G10 environmental shot but my favourite is the Gray Jay. You have more snow in MN than we have around here. I hope you are successful in your search for the elusive (but very big) GGO

Hi Liz , We went up to the Bog on the weekend of 1/10/10, we had a great time and I think we might have been the last people to see a Great Gray ..we only saw it once in the late afternoon but we got a good look at it and got some shots . I really like the Bog was a great time ,just didnt see any peckers though... Black Backed or Three Toed.

Yeah, it seems that great grays are scarce this year. I caught a fleeting glimpse of one last year, but that's the only time I've ever seen one. I guess I'll just have to wait for the next big irruption! I was also up on MLK day, but it was overcast and dreary. This time it was way too cold for me to even consider getting out of the vehicle to look around for woodpeckers. I did see a pileated woodpecker.

Btw, are you going to the Owl Festival this year?

gymell wrote in post #9498021
Btw, are you going to the Owl Festival this year?

I am indeed signed up..............It was great last year and already have reservations for this year.

Lovely series of images, especially the Gray Jay and the first "environmental" shot

Good ones, Liz. Too bad tour owl was so far. Not much we can do about that. Wait. yes there is. Longer glass.

I see you made it to the Sax Zim... I still haven't made it down there... I have seen the NHO three different times this winter, but no GGO so far... It is difficult for me to get out of Cook Co.

The Gray Jay is exceptional, a beautiful capture..., I see them on the Gunflint Trail but not on my ridge... it seems they show up here every other year...

db

Wow, Back to the Turdra!!!

Nice shots Liz, the gray jay takes the cake for me though.

Thanks, all, I had to get creative when I couldn't find owls! Those gray jays sure have a lot of personality. One of the nice things about the Bog is that local residents set up feeders, so there are usually some good opportunities for photos of feeder birds, even if the owls aren't being cooperative.

Well at least you didn't come away empty handed. Nice shots in some tuff conditions. I haven't seen an owl of any kind in years. There is one in the neighborhood as i hear him hooting early in the morning but can't find him. Maybe some of you owl experts can give a novice some tips on where to look, what to look for, best times to look etc