SNOWY OWLS-DODGE COUNTY, MN.

Snowy Owl (adult male).  We saw 5 Snowy Owls in Dodge County, Mn yesterday.  Four of these were within 1/2 mile of each other-very unusual.  Snowy Owls are a tundra bird and only rarely will you see this many in a small area.  There were reports of 14 owls within a 5 sq. mile area yesterday.

Snowy Owl-the females and the immatures have streaking.

Sandhill Cranes in Whitewater Management Area North of St. Charles, Mn

BLUEBIRDS ARE UP-SPRING CAN'T BE FAR BEHIND

A few Bluebirds have arrived.  We found a small flock in Forestville State Park this morning.

Two deer resting about 100 yards from our house.  We have a herd of about a dozen that we see here almost daily.  A friend of ours saw a herd of about 50 just south of Spring Valley, Mn this week.   He had neither a gun nor a camera with which to shoot them.

We watched as the Amish put up these corn shocks last fall in Granger, Mn.

FIRST DAY OF SPRING ON THE MISSISSIPPI

Hooded Mergansers-1 male with hood up, 1 female, 1 male with hood down.  Had to go to the Mississippi on the first day of spring.  Most of the backwaters are still iced in, but where there is open water the migrants are pushing up. Spring will come.

Sandhill Cranes near New Albin, Iowa.  Saw and heard at least ten cranes on the first day of spring 2014.  Anyone that has heard cranes knows that they made our day.

Five Great Blue Herons near Reno Bottoms in the Mississippi backwaters.

Female and male Buffleheads.

The backwaters of the Big river are just starting to open up for the spring.

Trumpeter Swans on a pond in Spring Valley, Mn.  Trumpeter Swans were rare in the 1970's but have made a big come back, especially in Nothern Minnesota.  It is quite uncommon to see them in  Fillmore County.  The pond is located north of Main Street, one-half block east of Hwy 63. 

Tough winter.  The deer are back at our Highbush Cranberries and also at our bird feeders.