Saturday roll call for Sax-Zim Bog GTG

[Steve Foss]

Shall we all meet at the restaurant on the west side of Hwy. 53 in Cotton at 7 a.m.? Shooting light is generally around 8 a.m., and Cotton puts us on the south side of the Bog so we can work our way north.

Who's in for sure? Sound off, shooters!

I'm in.

[Jim Almquist]

Sounds great Steve

I will try to get up there tomorrow to make sure the feeders are full and I was going to bring some sand and litter the area to see if we can attract some of the Crossbills down out of the trees. I have been putting seed on the ground with hopes that we can get a few Pine Grosbeaks out in the light. From the reports we just might get to see a GGO and there have been more sightings of the Boreal Chickadees. Cold and clear but it will not be that bad

[Steve Foss]

there have been more sightings of the Hoary Chickadees

Now THAT would be a life list first for any birder.

Thanks for the advance work, buddy!

[Jim Almquist]

Sorry about that I was thinking about the lack of Redpolls in the bog and got side tracked just a little bit

[finnbay]

I'm in! Sounds like the temp is going to moderate at least a little.

[dockothebay]

Well, you let girls participate too, right? I'm coming up. I have a grandkids obligation on Saturday night, but should be able to run around up there until 2 or so. Looking forward to seeing the bog - and meeting the bog trotters!

[JayinMN]

You will be the first official female bog trotter!

It looks like we will have nice lighting too, sunshines in the forecast.

[Spearing Machine]

I will be up!! Going to spend a few days around Ely starting tomorrow!! Steve, about how long does the drive take from Ely?? Just trying to figure out if I should drive down there in the morning and leave my car in cotton or possibly hop a ride with you from Ely in the morning and leave my car in Ely. I plan to head back home Saturday after the gtg either way. Just not sure which would be better.

[Steve Foss]

Jeremy, it's about 1.5 hours from Ely to Cotton. I'll be driving down to Babbitt, leaving my truck at Ken's and hopping in with him. Considering you're heading home from the GTG, it makes a lot more sense to drive to Cotton and leave your car there. While we probably will end up at the north side of the Bog come sundown, Jim for sure will be passing back through Cotton on his way home and I'm sure he'd be fine with you hopping in with him. That'd save you having to come all the way back to Ely with Ken and I (tight squeeze in his vehicle anyway) to pick up your car.

See you Friday, Jeremy. Hope you got your walkin' shoes on!

[Spearing Machine]

Sounds good!! Thanks Steve! I cant wait!!

[MARINERMAGNUM]

The best to all of you! I hope that you see everything you want and more!

....sigh,some year I'll make it.

[dukhnt]

Hope you guys and gal have a blast! Maybe next year I can participate.

[Jim Almquist]

Jeremy You can just leave your car at the restaurant and hop in with me. I am sure we will want to end the day somewhere on McDavitt looking for owls so going back to your car will not be out of the way. Make sure to bring warm cloths and boots and maybe a couple of those handwarmers and you will be good for the whole day.

When you come into Cotton there will be a SuperAmerica on the east side and the restaurant will be on the west side connected to the EL Dorito or something like that. The cafe is on the north end.

[Jim Almquist]

Found a flock of Redpolls and a few Northern Hawk Owls today so the cold weather might just be pushing down some of our northern friends.

[Birdsong]

The rest of us will be waiting to see great things! And now we know just who to be expecting posts from. We like them all. Even if there is repetition. Every person's eye for the shot is just a little different.

[machohorn]

I was thinking of showing up, but my B-day ( today) got in the way and the wifey has plans on the big pond by Isle. Good luck hunting and I am anxious to see the results. Perhaps next year.

[dockothebay]

Jim - how long is the drive from Cloquet to Cotton? We will be leaving from the cities & we usually make it to Cloquet in two hours if the roads are good - so we'll add a little time to that, but are wondering about conditions on 33. My husband is coming up too - he's my "photography assistant" Thanks-

[Jim Almquist]

If you allow another 30 min. you should be good. We did not get the snow that you did so road conditions should not be bad at all. You might want to bring a loaf of bread so your hubby can stay entertained feeding the Gray Jays. That way we will have someone to shoot with a Gray Jay on his head

[dockothebay]

We'll do that! He usually mans the point and shoot - and he's always up for a walk in the woods!