First of all, let me say that Boreal Owls are the cutest bird in the entire world! About the size of a Kleenex box, nearly as wide as they are tall, the Boreal has bright yellow eyes with two black “tear drop” marks and a face framed by black. Immaculate white spots dot the forehead. This has been a great winter to see this most elusive of all owls in northern Minnesota.
Roughly every 4 years there is an increase in Boreal Owl sightings in Minnesota. Usually, late in the winter, a few may be spotted hunting in the daytime, which often means that they are hungry!…possibly starving. You see, Boreals are normally nocturnal hunters. So when voles are at a low cycle further north, the Boreals need to move in search of food. In late January of 2013 they started showing up in Sax-Zim and along the North Shore. Guide Chris Wood found SEVEN in one day along the Scenic 61 highway north of Duluth. This has been a huge IRRUPTION! (yes, irruption is the right word).
And since Boreal Owls are rarely seen, this influx of day-hunting Boreals is big news. Most of the folks I guide still need it for their life list. So irruption years become BUSY years for the local guides (and I’m no exception!). In fact, the tiny owl hadn’t even been recorded nesting in the Lower 48 until the spring/summer of 1978 when a Boreal Owl pair took up residence in a nest box in Tofte, Minnesota.
Here is a compilation of video from 4 different Boreals taken between January 27th and February 8th.
All photos taken with Canon 7D and Canon 400mm f5.6 lens. BUT note that the top photo was taken with the 400mm AND stacked 2x and 1.4x teleconverters! Don’t let anyone tell you that you should NEVER stack teleconverters…I did and the photo turned out all right I think.
8 responses to “Boreal Owl Bonanza!”
Joey Halvorson
February 23rd, 2013 at 20:42
Emotionally wonderful pictures and I am going to start stacking teleconverters
Deb Potts
February 23rd, 2013 at 22:41
Hey…I’m glad to see you put the video on your blog..I have the stills of that snow plunge 🙂 It was really nice to finally meet you up there and that little bird was truly awesome to watch and photograph…and thanks for tip about the TCs…
Sue
February 24th, 2013 at 20:54
The video captures so much more of the owl persona. Thanks for including it.
Mike Powell
February 25th, 2013 at 06:20
The still photos are amazing, but the video is even more incredible. I loved watching the little head movements of the owl. The hunting sequence in the snow was wonderful.
Karen Matson
February 25th, 2013 at 08:17
Thanks for sharing Sparky. Loved it!!
Joanne Stensaas
February 25th, 2013 at 22:18
Too cute! Aunt Joanne PS. Isn’t it a bit cold for them in Minnesota?
lylekrahn
March 23rd, 2013 at 20:03
The owl really is special and you captured it well.
Sparky Stensaas
March 24th, 2013 at 13:54
Thanks Lyle, yes, they are very rarely seen except during irruptions. Folks came from all over the country. They are easy subjects (when you can find one) as they totally ignore humans.