It is always amazing to me how crowded the airport is @4am - but I am here and getting to the airport is the most stressful part of the trip for me. Now I am looking forward to a fun, productive trip! Of course, I was at the furthest possible gate and somehow I got a window seat (which I never request – not sure how that happened)
Minnesota trip day 1 - Kent & I drove up from Minneapolis to Aitkin County (2.5 hours) looking for a Northern Hawk Owl - we dipped on that but saw several Northern Shrike (a life bird for both of us). I spotted one on a branch deep in a field but wasn’t sure. Then Kent found one on a wire that was more cooperative. It was lovely catching up with Kent – I think its been at least 20 years since I have seen him. We missed the Northern Hawk-Owl, possibly because it was too late in the date, but saw a few small flocks of Redpolls, Pine Siskins and Black-capped Chickadees.
Aitkin County, MN
Plastic Owl (to keep the gulls? away.)
Northern Shrike
Redpoll
Pine Siskin
Redpoll
Very blurry photo of a Red Fox in field #2 on 350th Avenue
American Robin
Picked up Linda at the tiny airport (glad I flew in to Minneapolis) & after a brief attempt to check into the hotel, went up to Two Harbors – about 45 minutes northeast. Alex (our guide who was trying to straighten out the hotel rooms) gave us some advice (just look for the 500 people) and all three of us picked up another life bird - Great Grey Owl. There were only @30 people and We had a wonderful 1/2hour with two Great Greys! My 899th life bird! It was almost too easy – except I was relegated to the parking lot because it was very muddy and uneven – my walking poles were in my luggage.
Two Harbors
Great Gray Owl #1
Great Gray Owl #2
Flying toward the photogs
The woman was there first -- GGOW #2 flew in
Back to Owl #1
Owl #2 switched perches
It's his camera - Owl Selfie! Photo by Kent Anderson
That's Kent in the green "In Cahoots" hat -- trying to get away from the Owl!
Back to Owl #1
A video of Great Gray Owl #2
Had a nice quick dinner of smash burgers at McQuade’s Bar & Grill, then back to the Hotel. Our rooms were ready (sort of – Linda’s key didn’t work) and it appeared at the moment they upgraded all of us. Linda got a suite, Kent & I accessible rooms (which had more space but not a particularly accessible shower/bath combo).
Early morning tomorrow.
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