Nov. 28, 2021 - Sax Zim Bog

This week I visited the Sax Zim Bog, which is northwest of Duluth, Minnesota. I was probably a little early to see the special winter bird species that make this area a destination for birders. However, I did spend some time at the feeders that are set up on Admiral Road where I photographed this Canada Jay.

JayCanadaAdmiralRoadSaxZimBogLouisCounty20211122

Canada Jays were present at the feeders the whole time I was there. I saw as many as four at a time. They were attracted to the suet, sunflower seeds, deer ribs, and peanut butter.

JayCanadapairAdmiralRoadSaxZimBogLouisCounty20211122

This Black-capped Chickadee was also attracted to the feeders.

ChickadeeBlackcappedAdmiralRoadSaxZimBogLouisCounty20211122

A male Downy Woodpecker flew in to grab some peanut butter.

WoodpeckerDownymaleAdmiralRoadSaxZimBogLouisCounty20211122

This male Hairy Woodpecker seemed to prefer eating on the deer ribs.

WoodpeckerHairymaleAdmiralRoadSaxZimBogLouisCounty20211122

There are several homeowners in the Sax Zim Bog who set up very elaborate feeders in their yards, and they welcome birders to stop by and watch the birds. I went to the house of one homeowner named May Lou. Her yard is a very reliable place to see Evening Grosbeaks in the winter. This is a female Evening Grosbeak.

GrosbeakEveningfemaleMaryLou'sSaxZimBogLouisCounty20211122

There were probably a dozen female Evening Grosbeaks there when I stopped by.

GrosbeakEveningfemaleMaryLou'sSaxZimBogLouisCounty20211122

I only saw one male Evening Grosbeak, and he stayed well hidden in the trees, making it hard to get a good photo.

GrosbeakEveningmaleMaryLou'sSaxZimBogLouisCounty20211122

I also photographed some of the common birds that were at Mary Lou’s. There were several Rock Pigeons, but this one caught my eye because of its unusual color pattern.

PigeonRockMaryLou'sSaxZimBogLouisCounty20211122

There were quite a large number of House Sparrows including this male. House Sparrows are actually uncommon in an area like the Bog.

SparrowHousemaleMaryLou'sSaxZimBogLouisCounty20211122

Even though European Starlings are non-natives and have a bad reputation, I still try to convince people that they are rather nice-looking birds. This photo shows the iridescent colors and the light tips on the feathers.

StarlingEuropeanMaryLou'sSaxZimBogLouisCounty20211122

Not all the critters in the bog are wild. I was driving along Lake Nichols Road and saw four rabbits feeding on the grass in someone’s yard. Based on the fur color and the fact that they didn’t immediately run off, I was pretty sure they were domestic pets.

RabbitLakeNicholsRoadSaxZimBogLouisCounty202111224x6