A Few from the Bog Last Weekend

[Jim Almquist]

Taken last Sunday morning on a quick trip to the bog. I spotted 4 GGO from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM. I was only able to get decent shots from 2 of the owls.

[GIANT1]

awesome pics jim owls are way to cool !!!!!

[Dbl]

Very cool!

[smalliehunter]

Wow. Cool pics. Thanks for sharing

[Wayne Ek]

Couple of very nice captures there Jim.

[MN Shutterbug]

Gotta love them eyes.

Jim, any Hawk Owls up there? I've been up there 4 times and I've seen a Hawk Owl just once.Feeders still being maintained? If I drop my wife off in Plymouth the first part of Jan., I may head up there for a couple days since I'll already be half way there. Sure more desirable than putting up with 3 little boys for 3 days. I love my grandsons but they sure can drive a person nuts after a couple days.

[Jim Almquist]

None so far Mike. I will keep you posted if any start showing up.

[MN Shutterbug]

Thanks Jim. Of course, a Snowy would be a real bonus. The weather will be the deciding factor for me. If the highs are going to be in the single digits and lows in the teens below zero, I'll stay home where it's warm and cozy.

Are the feeders still being maintained? I haven't been there for a couple years.

[eyeguy 54]

very neat! would love to see one some day.

[MN Shutterbug]

very neat! would love to see one some day.

Then get on your horse and head to the bog. It's not enough a 3 hour drive for you.

[eyeguy 54]

I hopped in the car a drove there once a couple years ago. did not spot an owl but I did have fun. 450 miles that day driving around, lol... I was sore.

[MN Shutterbug]

My first trip up there about 6 or 7 years ago, was to meet up with 4 other members of this forum. I came back with a nice photo of a Downy Woodpecker. At least it was a male. Oh yeah, and that was over 700 miles round trip and 2 nights in a motel. It was a fun time though and at least the woodpecker was a male.

[eyeguy 54]

funny, I got my first pics of a boreal chickadee and great jays so that was fun. shoot a message my way if doing it again sometime.

[MN Shutterbug]

You mean Gray Jays? My last trip there was much more fruitful. I got the owl, redpolls, boreal and hairys. You just never know. I got the jays on a different trip to the bog.

I'll keep you in mind.

[eyeguy 54]

oops, gray jays..... my mind wanders

[Jim Almquist]

The feeder on Admiral is still there. There is also a feeder that Jason put up on Owl ave that is on the east side about 200 yards south of Cty Rd 52 ( Arkola ). They now have a visitor center if you keep going south on Owl Ave from that feeder. They have a map and directions to all of the feeders. I think that there is another 5 or 6 around the bog that are well maintained.

I should also add that the 3rd shot was straight out of my camera with no cropping using my 400mm. I was leaving and thought I would try in case it flew but it sat there and watched me drive by.

[MN Shutterbug]

Thanks for the updated info Jim. Things have changed in the last couple years.

[monstermoose78]

Last time I was in the Bog birding was with Bill the Bird man of Ely. He was shocked that I could spot a Great Grey going 55 mph. I wanted to see some Sharptailed Grouse but we did not see any.

[Jim Almquist]

It is just all of the noise from skidding that spooks the birds

[monstermoose78]

We were doing 55 on 169 on the way to the bog from Ely