Just a quick update to make use of the blog! I've booked my first trip for this new goal of becoming more active in the photography game again...
Thunder Bay!
A non-birding friend of mine has always wanted me to "show him some owls" and has also always wanted to see the shores of Lake Superior (perhaps a strong candidate as a future birder, as an avid camper and really enjoys the outdoors - but I won't go there at this point in time)
So anyways, a prime candidate to team up with and do a mini trip!
The plan:
Mar 6th - leave Hamilton after work in the evening, drive to Sault Ste Marie - arrive around midnight/1am..
Mar 7th - do SSM towards Thunder Bay looking for any/all goodies and checking out the fantastic scenery...
Mar 8th - 11th - staying 5 nights in Thunder Bay, leaving 4 full days to explore! It seems like a hotspot for GGOW's is in the Pass Lake area, so that will likely be an early focal point. Sleeping Giant, Kakabeka Falls, Mission Island etc can all be checked for fun - along with random searches in all directions from town...
My goals -
GGOW photos
Find a Boreal Owl (would be new for my "self found list")
- maybe photograph a Boreal Owl (would be really awesome) - they're putting on a major show to the south in Minn right now...
-- any and all other winter bird goodies - sightings and/or photos of something like a Gyr, Hoaries, Grosbeaks, Crossbills, BB and TT woodpeckers, Snowy Owls, Hawk Owls, Spruce Grouse etc
-- winter wildlife - fingers crossed for something really sweet like a Wolf or Lynx, but will be happy with Moose and Hares etc
Mar 12th - check out early (or the night before) and explore towards home... (along Superior) .. When it gets dark, drive like a mad man back towards home for work the next day.
Should be fun methinks! And hopefully good stories and photos will ensue. My slight concern is if the dates are getting a bit late for GGOW's and BOOW's? I seem to remember reading somewhere that they tend to start dissapearing again in late feb/early Mar - but I can't find it now... Anyone?
BOREALS and Great Grays breed around Thunder Bay and the Lake Superior. The resident birds should start to be vocalizing soon if not already. Obatanga Provincial Park south side of the highway at the gate is where I had a Boreal replying to playback last year.
ReplyDeleteThere are recent large Burns (3 yrs or less) sw of Timmins and approximately 3-5 hrs nw of Thunder Bay that should be holding alot of TTWO and BBWO this winter. Also Neys P.P. seems to attach in TTWOs alot.