[mou] Recent Duluth trip
birder1@bellsouth.net
birder1@bellsouth.net
Mon, 29 Nov 2004 15:34:06 -0600
This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
------=_NextPart_000_0005_01C4D628.DC9191E0
Content-Type: text/plain;
charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
I would like to commend everyone on the MN list for both the exchange of =
information, and for the care you take so that out of towners can come =
up here and enjoy your birds with you! I made a spur of the moment trip =
up from TN over the holidays, covering 2500 miles in 3.5 days. I arrived =
in Duluth last Thursday afternoon and left early Saturday afternoon. =
Most of this time was spent at Sax-Zim.=20
=20
As expected, I had many encounters with Great Gray and Northern Hawk =
Owls in the Bog. It looks like I had 15 locations for Great Gray's, and =
12 for Northern Hawks. At one time I had 3 Great Gray's in view at once, =
and 6 in a mile and a half stretch of road on "7" north of the "28" =
junction in Sax-Zim, this was Thursday afternoon. It is good that there =
are some reminders being posted in regard to etiquette towards the Owls. =
This is especially important to those of us that are visiting, and for =
whom the thrill of driving up on a Great Gray may briefly override the =
common sense aspect that would normally come along with dealing with =
these magnificent creatures.=20
=20
I spoke with and saw several birders in the time I was there, and saw no =
harassment of the birds, no mouse tricks going on. I was interested in =
photographing them, as the 1st time I came up a few years ago, I didn't =
have a camera. I had no problem getting images of the birds, either =
digiscoping, or with an extender on my Coolpix. Lighting conditions =
played havoc on me, but that is another story.
=20
The collection of Rough-legs in Sax-Zim was also a treat, as typically =
only or two a year, at most, is all I get in TN. To be able to study =
just about every plumage type imaginable was quite a blast. Lifers for =
the trip were Sharp-tailed Grouse, Black-backed Woodpecker, Bohemian =
Waxwing, and Snow Bunting (finally).
=20
Birds of interest and locations: (exact Owl locations not noted on =
here, though generally in the area between Arkola Rd and Zim Rd, I can =
give locations for most if need be)=20
=20
Ruffed Grouse: one calmly was feeding near the houses Stone Lake Road.
=20
Sharp-tailed Grouse: this is one that I was hoping for, but not =
expecting. I saw 8 birds fly a short distance right before dusk on =
Friday afternoon. There is a gated entrance to a State area, about =
midways between Arkola Rd and Sax Rd. At this gate a raised field road =
goes out across the Bog. I had pulled in here to scan bushes for any =
sitting up when the group literally flew through my field of view.
=20
Glaucous Gull: 1 1st year bird, actually in the parking area where I was =
scooping Agate Bay in Two Harbors.
=20
Black-backed Woodpecker: one female along McDavitt Rd (213). She was =
about midways in the corridor of pines you go through on this road. At =
the same time a photographer had another only a 100 yards or so north of =
me in the same area.
=20
Northern Shrike: adult working the wires at the intersection of 213 and =
27. I also had 2 in Wisconsin in transit.
=20
Gray Jay: Several locations in the Bog, and also seen along Hwy 53 and =
in a trip up County Rd. 2 Saturday morning.
=20
Black-billed Magpie: 2 in flight to the south of Arkola Rd, east of the =
208 junction
=20
Boreal Chickadee: Arkola Rd, west of the 207 junction. About 100 yards =
into the conifer bog, responded to pishing on the north side of the =
road, with Black-cap's.
=20
Bohemian Waxwing: small flock in Meadowlands, at intersection of Hwy =
133 and 29.=20
=20
Snow Bunting: flock seen repeatedly off of Hwy 7, always north of the 28 =
junction. Seen working the roadside once, several times in the air.
=20
Pine Grosbeak: Overhead several times, singles seen perched in Sax-Zim. =
Small flock seen working a berry tree in a yard off of CR 2, just north =
of Two Harbors.
=20
Red Crossbill: one flew over calling on "Owl Avenue" 202.
=20
Common Redpolls: widespread, no Hoaries.
=20
I have several images posted from this trip, though most of this may be =
old fare for most of you that see these birds all the time. My gallery =
is at : www.pbase.com/mctodd , the Duluth gallery is the last one =
displayed. My photos aren't professional grade at all, but document the =
birds pretty well usually.
Among several photos are some of Great Gray and Hawk Owls, Rough-legs, =
Ruffed Grouse, Black-backed Woodpecker, Northern Shrike, Glaucous Gull, =
Bohemian Waxwing, Pine Grosbeak, Common Redpoll, and a terrible shot of =
Snow Buntings.
Thanks again, and continued great birding to all!
Mike Todd
McKenzie, TN
------=_NextPart_000_0005_01C4D628.DC9191E0
Content-Type: text/html;
charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<HTML><HEAD>
<META http-equiv=3DContent-Type content=3D"text/html; =
charset=3Diso-8859-1">
<META content=3D"MSHTML 6.00.2900.2523" name=3DGENERATOR>
<STYLE></STYLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgColor=3D#ffffff>
<DIV>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial">I would like to commend everyone on the MN =
list for=20
both the exchange of information, and for the care you take so that out =
of=20
towners can come up here and enjoy your birds with you! <SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I made a spur of the moment =
trip up from=20
TN over the holidays, covering 2500 miles in 3.5 days. I arrived in=20
</SPAN><?xml:namespace prefix =3D st1 ns =3D=20
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" =
/><st1:City><st1:place><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Duluth</SPAN></st1:place></st1:City><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> last Thursday afternoon and left early =
Saturday=20
afternoon. Most of this time was spent at Sax-Zim. </SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><?xml:namespace prefix =3D o ns =3D=20
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p><FONT=20
size=3D2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3D2>As expected, I had many =
encounters with=20
Great Gray and Northern Hawk Owls in the Bog.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It looks like I had 15 =
locations for=20
Great Gray=92s, and 12 for Northern Hawks. At one time I had 3 Great =
Gray=92s in=20
view at once, and 6 in a mile and a half stretch of road on =937=94 =
north of the=20
=9328=94 junction in Sax-Zim, this was Thursday afternoon. It is good =
that there are=20
some reminders being posted in regard to etiquette towards the Owls. =
This is=20
especially important to those of us that are visiting, and for whom the =
thrill=20
of driving up on a Great Gray may briefly override the common sense =
aspect that=20
would normally come along with dealing with these magnificent creatures. =
<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p><FONT =
size=3D2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3D2>I spoke with and saw several =
birders in=20
the time I was there, and saw no harassment of the birds, no mouse =
tricks=20
going on. I was interested in photographing them, as the 1<SUP>st</SUP> =
time I=20
came up a few years ago, I didn=92t have a camera. I had no problem =
getting images=20
of the birds, either digiscoping, or with an extender on my Coolpix. =
Lighting=20
conditions played havoc on me, but that is another=20
story.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p><FONT =
size=3D2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3D2>The collection of Rough-legs =
in Sax-Zim=20
was also a treat, as typically only or two a year, at most, is all I get =
in=20
TN.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>To be able to study =
just about=20
every plumage type imaginable was quite a blast. Lifers for the trip =
were=20
Sharp-tailed Grouse, Black-backed Woodpecker, Bohemian Waxwing, and Snow =
Bunting=20
(finally).<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p><FONT =
size=3D2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Birds of interest and locations: =
(exact<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Owl locations not noted on =
here, though=20
generally in the area between </SPAN><st1:Street><st1:address><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Arkola =
Rd</SPAN></st1:address></st1:Street><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> and </SPAN><st1:Street><st1:address><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Zim Rd, I can give locations for most if =
need=20
be</SPAN></st1:address></st1:Street><SPAN style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial">) =
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p><FONT =
size=3D2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Ruffed Grouse: one calmly was feeding near =
the houses=20
</SPAN><st1:Street><st1:address><SPAN style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Stone =
Lake=20
Road</SPAN></st1:address></st1:Street><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial">.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p><FONT =
size=3D2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Sharp-tailed Grouse: this is one that I was =
hoping=20
for, but not expecting. I saw 8 birds fly a short distance right before =
dusk on=20
Friday afternoon.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>There =
is a gated=20
entrance to a State area, about midways between=20
</SPAN><st1:Street><st1:address><SPAN style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial">Arkola=20
Rd</SPAN></st1:address></st1:Street><SPAN style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> =
and=20
</SPAN><st1:Street><st1:address><SPAN style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Sax=20
Rd.</SPAN></st1:address></st1:Street><SPAN style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> =
At this=20
gate a raised field road goes out across the Bog. I had pulled in here =
to scan=20
bushes for any sitting up when the group literally flew through my field =
of=20
view.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p><FONT =
size=3D2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Glaucous Gull: 1 1<SUP>st</SUP> year bird, =
actually=20
in the parking area where I was scooping=20
</SPAN><st1:place><st1:PlaceName><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Agate</SPAN></st1:PlaceName><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> </SPAN><st1:PlaceType><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Bay</SPAN></st1:PlaceType></st1:place><SPAN =
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> in Two =
Harbors.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p><FONT =
size=3D2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Black-backed Woodpecker: one female along=20
</SPAN><st1:Street><st1:address><SPAN style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial">McDavitt=20
Rd</SPAN></st1:address></st1:Street><SPAN style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> =
(213). She=20
was about midways in the corridor of pines you go through on this road. =
At the=20
same time a photographer had another only a 100 yards or so north of me =
in the=20
same area.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p><FONT =
size=3D2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Northern Shrike: adult working the wires at =
the=20
intersection of 213 and 27. I also had 2 in =
</SPAN><st1:State><st1:place><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial">Wisconsin</SPAN></st1:place></st1:State><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> in transit.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p><FONT =
size=3D2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3D2>Gray Jay: Several locations =
in the Bog,=20
and also seen along Hwy 53 and in a trip up County Rd. 2 Saturday=20
morning.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p><FONT =
size=3D2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Black-billed Magpie: 2 in flight<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>to the south of=20
</SPAN><st1:Street><st1:address><SPAN style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial">Arkola Rd,=20
east</SPAN></st1:address></st1:Street><SPAN style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial"> of the=20
208 junction<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p><FONT =
size=3D2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Boreal Chickadee:=20
</SPAN><st1:Street><st1:address><SPAN style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial">Arkola Rd,<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> =20
</SPAN>west</SPAN></st1:address></st1:Street><SPAN style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial">=20
of the 207 junction. About 100 yards into the conifer bog, responded to =
pishing=20
on the north side of the road, with =
Black-cap's.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p><FONT =
size=3D2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3D2>Bohemian Waxwing:<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>small flock in Meadowlands, at =
intersection of Hwy 133 and 29. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p><FONT =
size=3D2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3D2>Snow Bunting: flock seen =
repeatedly off=20
of Hwy 7, always north of the 28 junction. Seen working the roadside =
once,=20
several times in the air.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p><FONT =
size=3D2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3D2>Pine Grosbeak: Overhead =
several times,=20
singles seen perched in Sax-Zim. Small flock seen working a berry tree =
in a yard=20
off of CR 2, just north of Two Harbors.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p><FONT =
size=3D2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Red Crossbill: one flew over calling on=20
=93</SPAN><st1:Street><st1:address><SPAN style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial">Owl <SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: =
yes"> </SPAN>Avenue</SPAN></st1:address></st1:Street><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial">=94 202.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p><FONT =
size=3D2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3D2>Common Redpolls: widespread, =
no=20
Hoaries.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p><FONT =
size=3D2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3D2>I have several images posted =
from this=20
trip, though most of this may be old fare for most of you that see these =
birds=20
all the time. My gallery is at : <A=20
href=3D"http://www.pbase.com/mctodd">www.pbase.com/mctodd</A> , the =
Duluth=20
gallery is the last one displayed. My photos aren't professional grade =
at all,=20
but document the birds pretty well usually.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3D2></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3D2>Among several photos are =
some of Great=20
Gray and Hawk Owls, Rough-legs, Ruffed Grouse, Black-backed Woodpecker, =
Northern=20
Shrike, Glaucous Gull, Bohemian Waxwing, Pine Grosbeak, Common =
Redpoll, and=20
a terrible shot of Snow Buntings.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3D2></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3D2>Thanks again, and continued =
great=20
birding to all!</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3D2></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3D2>Mike Todd</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3D2>McKenzie, =
TN</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3D2></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT=20
size=3D2><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN> </P></DIV></BODY></HTML>
------=_NextPart_000_0005_01C4D628.DC9191E0--