Great time at the HSO Sax-Zim Bog GTG

[Steve Foss]

We had a great time today in the Sax-Zim Bog. We photographed a bunch of birds (and each other!). And we all got to put faces to names of people we hadn't met before.

I'm busy for awhile tonight, but hope to post photos yet this evening, and no doubt others will use this thread to post their photos from the day.

Sure was fun! Thanks everyone for making it a cool day.

[finnbay]

Hey! A great big thanks from me as well! Great to have a couple of newbies to the Bog - Jackie and Jeremy! Here's a few from the day:

Dockothebay:

Spearing Machine:

[JayinMN]

Okay here is my little series.

Quenching the thirst.

[Todd Caswell]

excellent, I really like the last one.... Lets see some more

[JayinMN]

Great shots Ken. You got a good one of the hyperactive boreal.

[Birdsong]

It looks like a perfect day in the bog. So far, the photos are terrific.

[Dbl]

Nice job all, looks like a good day!

[Jim Almquist]

It was a great day even if the temp did start out at around -20. It was nice to meet Jackie (dockofthebay) and her hubby and Jeremy(Spearingmachine) and Ken(Finnbay). It was the first day that I have seen the Boreal Chickadee and we actually were able to see that there was 3 of them but could never get even 2 of them in a frame but it was nice to have them back. Jay and I both commented on how the birds seem to be eating a lot of snow - Must be the road salt

I like this one cause I think it was the first time I have ever caught one with there mouth open and no food hanging out

[finnbay]

Love that series of the chickadee eatin' snow, Jason! Real nice ones, Jim. I think the grosbeak is my favorite - good color and a natural pose!

[Spearing Machine]

Awesome shots guys!! I just want to thank all of you, Steve, Ken, Jim, Jason, Jackie for making if such a great and fun filled day yesterday out in the bog. As a student working on a a degree in wildlife it was neat to see a bunch of birds that I have never seen before and many within a couple of feet. I was great to be able to shot with others who have similar interests. Got home pretty late last night and I am just ready to head out the door to the fish house for the afternoon with my little brother. I haven't even had time to go through my photos yet, but hopefully later this evening. Thanks again!!

[dockothebay]

And a heartfelt "Thanks" from us as well. It was a great day, even if it was -22 when we started! Like Jeremy, I saw and photographed some birds I'd never seen before. Thanks to the bog vets for sharing this place with us & giving the tour - Jason, for leading the way & flushing those boreal chickadees out of the woods ; Jim, for keeping feeders filled and knowing what kind of bird hangs where & the snowmobile advise as well ; Steve, for your suggestions and advise all day, especially for your help on that last owl shot; Ken, for blazing a trail around the woods to see the Hawk Owl, oh yeah, and for that swell portrait! and Jeremy - sorry I scared those crossbills away before you got close enough to shoot but I'm so glad you were there with us anyway.

We didn't get home until late last night either, I haven't had time to look at or process anything yet - hopefully later this afternoon. Altho, when I look at the amazing image you guys have already posted, I have a feeling it'll be tough for me to find much to compare. Thanks for sharing your images as well as your day!

It was a great day - I'd recommend the bog to photographers and birder alike, and the FM/HSO GTG to everyone! Thanks again for sharing your images as well as your day.

[Steve Foss]

Jackie, we'll look forward to seeing what you got. No need to worry about comparisons. We're all just posting fun stuff from the day, and it's all good.

Especially the priceless expression I caught on your face in this first image as you and Jeremy walked back to the vehicles in below-zero chill. What, you think that was actually cold?

I'll be posting in a couple-three batches.

[Steve Foss]

And just the pine grosbeaks.

[Steve Foss]

And the rest of the supporting cast of characters.

[finnbay]

Good stuff there, Steve ol' buddy! I was going to post a few more earlier this afternoon, but your goofy Packers kept me in front of the TV!

Here's a few more of my favorites from yesterday:

[Spearing Machine]

Gosh guys, they all are absolutely wonderful! Finally was able to dump the card and I was quite impressed with the amount of quality images I came away with. I think my technique and getting better equipment is starting to make a difference (because of many of you). Here are a handful of my favorites from the day out in the bog. Enjoy!

[finnbay]

Very nicely done, Jeremy! I really like the lighting on the black capped! That last one looks like 4 of the 7 dwarfs on their way to work in the mine!

Hi-ho, hi-ho, it's off to work we go!

[Brooky]

Geez... That looks like a great time between folks with similar interests. The photos are fantastic.

[Steve Foss]

Geez, Jeremy, glad that photo didn't make my butt look fat.

Nice stuff, buddy! And BTW, your gloves will be on the way tomorrow. Look for them on Wednesday.

[ShawnZ]

Fantastic collection of images folks. Excellent synergy. They should really make that place a state park of some kind. It was exciting to wait for the images from this gathering to be posted, and as exciting to view them. Thanks for sharing with the sideliners.

[Steve Foss]

Fantastic collection of images folks. Excellent synergy. They should really make that place a state park of some kind. It was exciting to wait for the images from this gathering to be posted, and as exciting to view them. Thanks for sharing with the sideliners.

Shawn, we heard from Sparky that you were expected along McDavitt Road on Saturday, but we found neither a GGO nor an SZ sighting.

[dockothebay]

Here are a few of mine - as we've all said it was a great day. I'm learning more every time I go out, and Saturday was a better than average learning day for me! Thanks again everyone!!

The crew -

The usual suspects: Goldfinch

Chickadees

Gray Jays - darn cute little guys!

The new-to-me kids:

White Winged Crossbills

Pine Grosbeaks

The famous Boreal Chickadee

Northern Hawk Owl

[finnbay]

Very nice! I particularly like the composition of the chickadee peeking out of the pine needles! Glad all had a good time!

[machohorn]

Dang-it, I should have gone. That would of been a great way to spend my B-day. Nicely done folks. Steve/Ken take a look at my post> new lens please

[ShawnZ]

SZ was in full stealth mode this weekend. Unfortunately that was at my place of employment Still, living vicariously through this get together has been most enjoyable

Although I'm disappointed that no one has posted any images of an ermin peeking out of someones car window

Great shots Dock of the Bay!