Sax-Zim Bog for boreal specialties

November 24, 2023 · Sax-Zim Bog, Minnesota · Cold clear, -4°F at dawn, light wind out of the north · Fujifilm X-T5, 150-600mm

Flew into Duluth and rented a 4x4. Sax-Zim in late November is empty of the winter festival crowds but the resident specialties are already back. The bog’s visitor shelter had a Boreal Chickadee coming to the suet and I spent a long dawn hour on a dead tamarack waiting on a Great Gray Owl that never came. Got a Northern Hawk Owl on Admiral Road instead, which might be a better bird anyway.

Minus four at dawn is not a joke. Two pairs of gloves and my shutter still slowed on the first few frames.

Hawk owl on a spruce top — Spruce top on Admiral Road. Local regulars knew the spot. Northern Hawk Owl 500mm, 1/2000s, f/6.3, ISO 640

Hawk owl turning head — Same bird, head turned. Yellow eyes. Northern Hawk Owl 400mm, 1/1600s, f/6.3, ISO 640

Boreal chickadee on a suet feeder — Brown cap, gentle bird. On the suet at the shelter. Boreal Chickadee 200mm, 1/800s, f/7.1, ISO 640

Black-backed woodpecker on burn — On a burn scar. Burn stands are the place for them. Black-backed Woodpecker 500mm, 1/2000s, f/6.3, ISO 640

Canada jay in a spruce — Canada jays are the friendliest birds in the bog. Gray Jay (Canada Jay) 200mm, 1/1250s, f/5.6, ISO 800

Redpoll at thistle feeder — Small flock. A few were Hoary candidates. Common Redpoll 200mm, 1/1250s, f/6.3, ISO 640

Pine grosbeak on crabapple — Female on crabapple. Pink hints on the head. Pine Grosbeak 250mm, 1/1250s, f/6.3, ISO 200

Ruffed grouse on branch — Flushed from the road and posed in a willow. Ruffed Grouse 300mm, 1/1600s, f/8, ISO 400

Red squirrel on a feeder — Unimpressed with my presence. Red Squirrel 200mm, 1/800s, f/7.1, ISO 2000

Wide view of frozen bog with black spruce — Classic bog scene. Black spruce, tamarack, ice. Bog, winter 23mm, 1/125s, f/11, ISO 100

Rough-legged hawk hovering — Hovering over a field near the old dairy. Rough-legged Hawk 300mm, 1/1000s, f/6.3, ISO 1250