Worth Checking

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photo courtesy of Dennis Swayze

Sometimes you need just go with that gut feeling…something was telling me it might be worth checking. With that in mind I headed back to the same location as last winter.

Well I’m thinking back to last January and coming across a Northern Saw-whet Owl.
As I mentioned back then they are 6-7 in…a bit smaller than a Screech Owl and half the size of an Northern Hawk Owl.
Although that may not be of much help if you’re not familiar with the Screech or Hawk Owl…so let say a bit smaller than a Robin.

They prefer to roost in confers which provides a safe place hidden away in the branches protected from predators…that would also include humans/photographers.
They can be most difficult to locate and easily missed.

My take away…always go with the gut feeling, what do you have to loose.

Just Hangin Out

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photo courtesy of Dennis Swayze

This time of year Eagles tend to gather pre-migration before many will be flying farther South.
Could very well be a pair perhaps…bird on the left appears larger which makes me think it’s the female.

During this time of year they tend to tolerate each other…with no territorial interaction between pairs.

Unfortunately due to weather conditions I was only able to make one trip up North along Lake Winnipeg.

C’est la vie…there’s always next year.

It’s That Time of Year

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photo courtesy of Dennis Swayze

With the recent snow that has blanketed Manitoba thoughts of the Great White Owls from the North has been on my mind…hopefully getting out soon.
They begin to show up anything from mid-October onwards…hanging around till mid to late March.

During the summer they nest in the Arctic Tundra…with the female laying anywhere from 3-10 eggs.
The number of eggs laid depends on the Lemming population…which is their main food source.

The higher the Lemming population the more eggs laid and hatched…meaning more owls showing up in Southern Manitoba.

Observations from years gone by…I believe the young owls are unfamiliar with poles, posts and trees and when first arriving some are seen along a roadway or in a field…perhaps reminding them of the Tundra.

It doesn’t take them long to figure out that poles make for a good vantage point to hunt from.

Anyway…that’s my theory and I’m sticking to it.