Go see the OWLS!!!

[bvar22]

Driving through central Minnesota backroads last weekend, we stumbled on this:


Great Gray Owls







On a twenty mile section of rural blacktop, we spotted at least twenty of these breathtaking owls. They were easily visible from a moving car. The Owls were actively hunting, and a couple were in pursuit of prey.

NBC Evening News reported on this phenomenon yesterday (Feb. 8th).
According to NBC, these are Canadian Great Gray Owls that have come to Minnesota looking for food. The weather conditions in their home range in Canada has produced a shortage of their natural prey (small critters). Wildlife experts interviewed in the NBC report said that these Owls would stay in this area until Spring.

According to the NBC report, large numbers of the smaller Canadian Hawk Owls are also in the area, but we didn't spot any of the smaller owls.

Hawk Owl


Where we saw the Gray Owls
We took I-35 north toward Duluth, and exited at Willow River.
We headed WEST on Hwy 41 toward Malmo (Mille Lacs).
Most of the Owls we saw were in the Solana State Forrest between the tiny towns of Pliny and Ellson on Hwy 41.

The time was approx 3PM
Temp was mid 20's, sky overcast.


If you get a chance, you should make the effort to see these magnificent birds. I can't promise they will still be there, or so closely visible in large numbers.
I'm going to return for more pictures in a couple of days. I'll post the results to this thread.

[Theres-a]

1. WOW!!!

I am so jealous!(And happy for you!)If I lived in MN I'd be going!Thanks for the photos!

[dave123williams]

2. Good grief! They're gorgeous! Thanks!

[nashville_brook]

3. last nite we were in the spa and a big barred owl

sat in a nearby tree checking us and our little dogs out. i've seen him a few times before. we also have little screech owls. they are all totally cool about getting close to us. i've got a 14-pound niblet of a greyhound, and i can just see it's white little body being silently flown away in Mr. Barred's talons.

question: how do owls fly so quietly? it's spectacular!

[cynthia]

12. how do they fly so quietly?

It is because their wing feathers are different from other birds. Most birds make a "wooh, wooh, wooh" sound when they flap their wings. Not owls. If you ever have a chance to check out an owl's wings, say at a Nature Center where they have stuff you can touch, you can feel how smooth and soft the feathers are. But there is something about the edges, I forgot what, that makes them so silent. Of course, this is crucial, so that they can approach those little creatures without detection and snatch a meal.

Thanks for the great pictures.

[knowbody0]

4. thank you for sharing

awesome creatures. i have a favorite in the woods behind the house. (spotted white) the frogs are here already, and the forest is loud again.

[mzmolly]

5. They're beautiful.

Thank you for the story!

Just googled and found this from MSNBC

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6935774/



Sadly about 250 have been killed by cars due to flying low for prey.
:(

[katinmn]

6. Thanks for the pics. I saw one in Ely not long ago

They're huge! At least the size of one of those little foo-foo dogs.

This is quite new having all these Great Grays around. Definately worth seeing.

[mzmolly]

7. Birding etiquette, safety hints

Several birding Web sites, including the Minnesota Ornithologist's Union, urge both seasoned and amateur birders to practice proper etiquette when looking for owls:

• Scan the treeline a along the road right-of-way or ditch for large dark objects. Most will be squirrel nests or clumps of dry leaves; but a few will be owls.

• When an owl is spotted, park at least 75 feet away, turn off the car engine and approach on foot, if necessary. If the owl is watching you, it's not hunting; so keep the encounter brief.

• Don't go back, time after time, to view the same bird; this creates unnecessary stress. These owls may seem unafraid, but that's because they rarely encounter humans or vehicles.

• Use binoculars or a spotting scope whenever possible in order not to get too close.

• Don't drive too slowly on main roads (not under 45 mph). Don't obstruct traffic when stopping. Drive to a safe parking spot, then walk back.

• Respect private property; be friendly; let people know you've come for birding.

• Watch out for owls swooping across roads while hunting at dusk.

Because accidents can't always be avoided, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) asks birders to look for dead owls as well as live.

One indication would be feathers sticking out of a snowbank. Turn remains over to the DNR so they can determine the cause of death (starvation, collision, hypothermia, etc.).

To report a dead owl, contact one of these DNR offices.

• DNR Northeastern Minnesota Regional Headquarters, Grand Rapids, [phone].

• DNR Non-game Offices —Grand Rapids, [phone] or Brainerd [phone].

• DNR Wildlife Offices — Aitkin, [phone] or Brainerd [phone].

For more information on owl-watching or other activities at Deep Portage Conservation Reserve, call [phone].

http://www.walkermn.com/placed/index.php?story_id=191666&view=text

[hermetic]

8. Thank you so much bvar and mzmolly

for the respite from politics. I have seen owls on 94 heading towards Eau Clair and it is always an "OH WOW" event.

[MnFats]

9. a couple times a week I can hear one or two out my front door...

...haven't seen them yet, though it seems like they cant be more than a block or so away....
I think they may be great grays....
their hoot is a single note, repeated about four to five times...with an emphasis on the second hoot
as in:
"whoo-WHOOO-whoo-whoo

[Zookeeper]

10. Oooh, they're gorgeous!

Did you take the first three photos?

Thanks for posting!

[bvar22]

11. Yes.

They were quick hip shots with a digital Olympus C-750 set on AUTO. It was overcast and fairly late in the afternoon.
I want to try again with better light, or some manual settings for better pics.

The Owls themselves were mesmerizing to see so close up and in daylight!
I spent most of my time just gawking in open mouthed amazement.
The camera was an just an afterthought at the time.

[SupormomFreeAtLast]

13. Great Shots, Bvar!

Thanks for sharing.

[indigo32]

14. WOW

I think I may do this this weekend.
I need a break from my current grind.