My Journey To Sax Zim Bog
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Sep 29, 2016 | by Kevin Loughlin
Great Gray Owl
Minnesota is much more than the 10,000 lakes that make up its state nickname. It boasts a multitude of habitats — vast spans of hardwood lots, open prairie and bogs. In the winter months, Minnesota’s northern reaches turn into a boreal paradise, playing host to a wonderful array of wildlife!
This past December, I ventured up to Northern Minnesota’s Sax Zim Bog, in search of one of America’s most amazing birds. The Great Gray Owl!
My adventure was inspired by “The Big Year”, a movie based upon the novel of the same title, by journalist, Mark Obmascik, in which three men embark on a quest to see the most bird species possible throughout north America in one year. Like Jack Black’s character, I wanted to see the Great Gray Owl with my Father. So along with our friend Scott, we drove over 16 hours to Eveleth Minnesota.
Other big draws for the Sax Zim Bog area include birds like this male Pine Grosbeak. A beautiful ball of gray and bright red feathers with a lot of character and personality.
Also present in good numbers is the ever curious Gray Jay. It was truly delightful to watch these birds feed and bounce around the dense spruce and tamarack trees that lined the roads.
And one of my absolute favorites, the Evening Grosbeak. It’s hard to miss this gorgeous bird in the dead of winter, sporting hues of bright yellow and dark brown, it’s sure to impress!
Great Gray Owl
When you include the amazing winter landscapes, and the other birds that you’ll likely see, Sax Zim Bog and Northern Minnesota is a prime destination with amazing opportunities. So come join us in February on what promises to be a wonderful time in the land of 10,000 lakes, and lots of birds!