After driving a few sections without seeing a snowy, we came across this:
Sometimes you see stuff which really has not explanation. Lots of snowmobilers and coyote hunters out too.
After a few more loops around some sections, we noticed a guy looking into a pile of irragator parts out in a field.
Yup, there was an owl.
We had a snowy at our house a couple of years ago as a rescue for the U of MN's The Raptor Center but Melinda has never had the chance to see a snowy in wild.
We watched the owl for an hour or so doing what owls do most of the time...nothing.
It was nice and quiet with a few other people stopping for a look. Everyone was being respectful of the owl and not stressing it. Was also nice to run into Jeff Fischer, who is one of the education volunteers at The Raptor Center. Jeff is great guy and I always enjoy chatting with him. He also has a fabulous blog with great wildlife photography. Check it out at EcoBirder
Eventually more people showed up including one individual who was quick to point out he had permission from the landowner to go where ever he wanted. Um, ok. We decided it was a good time to excuse ourselves and after a "see you later" to Jeff, we headed east over to the Mississippi River and see what the eagles were up to.
My quest for a good image of eagles with interlocked talons will continue.
Splitting the uprights.
A male goldeneye swims pat to end the day. After a bite to eat, we parted ways with the Drufke's but not after some discussion about hitting up the spring waterfowl migration out in western Minnesota before chase season is upon us. Which can't come too soon as we has had 45 days this winter with the day being below zero at some point. Has it been cold? Heck yeah!
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