2.15.24 Sax-Zim Bog, MN (III)

Sax-Zim Bog trip day 4: This was our third and last full day at Sax-Zim Bog. As we were driving to Sax-Zim, we got a message from one of our photographer friends saying where the Snowy Owl was so we rushed over. We got there, and there it was! The Snowy Owl was sitting like it was a snowball; made of snow and circular. We were sitting in the car, in the 15 degree weather, for about 3 hours eating lunch and waiting for the Snowy to fly before we gave up and left to see other things. While we were driving around we saw a couple Rough-legged Hawks, a Coyote or a Coywolf, and lots of American Crows. We also stopped off at the Welcome Center to check out the feeders and ask for advise on where to see things, and saw lots of Common Redpolls, some Red Squirrels, and Canada Jays. In the evening, while we were looking for Great Gray Owls, we got another message from a friend, letting us know that the Snowy was closer! On the drive over there, my little brother Ari spotted a Ruffed Grouse in a tree! I took some photos, and then we drove to the Snowy. When we turned onto the road we had seen it on in the morning, the Snowy came out of nowhere and flew in front of our car! I had the wrong setting on for shooting moving objects, so the photos turned out a little weird, but I kinda like it.

--Written by Ima

We recently heard that this Snowy Owl was hit and killed by a train. He lives on in the pictures and memories of all of the people who experienced his wonder.

-Written by Ima and her family 2.29.24

See all of the Sax-Zim posts at the Sax-Zim Bog February 2024 page.

My family and I have started a challenge for ourselves! We're going to try and see at least one bird of prey (or bop) a day for as long as we can! This is day 24 of our streak. This page includes 1 Snowy Owl, 3 Rough-legged Hawks, ...and 1 coywolf or coyote which is a mammal of prey (or mop) as Ari states. Please see the rest of our days on the "BOP a day" page.