Sax Zim Bog 2012

A few years ago I got "frost-bitten."  By which I mean, I fell in love with winter birding in the far north.  Winter can be a very harsh, desolate time.  But a winter landscape can be beautiful.

My interest in winter birding has been fed by exposure to the Sax Zim Bog, after attending a winter birding festival there in 2009.  The bog is northwest of Duluth, Minnesota, and it is a very cold place in winter. You can feel the warmth being sapped from your feet, even through heavy wool sock and sturdy hiking boots. 

But it is a magical place to see northern specialties like Pine Grosbeak, Boreal Chickadee, Gray Jay, Hoary Redpoll, Evening Grosbeak, Northern Hawk Owl, and Great Gray Owl.  I've seen all these species at Sax Zim Bog on different trips. 

Below are a handsome a couple of arctic breeders who came "south for the winter": a Rough-legged Hawk and a Norther Shrike.  Also, I found this sleepy resident Porcupine curled in a tight ball high in a tree. 

No owls on the trip this year, but some fine encounters nonetheless, including a Black-billed Magpie (at the eastern edge of their range) and a magnificent Northern Goshawk.  I'm looking forward to the next trip.

Chippewa Moraine 2012

One of my regular haunts in winter is the Chippewa Moraine of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail and Scientific Reserve.  It's near a cabin where I spend a week in prayer.  Typically, I frame the day (morning, noon, and night) with prayer, including extended reading in the morning and hiking in the afternoon. 

The Chippewa Morraine is usually a great place to go snowshoeing, but this time I had to settle for my hiking boots.  It's also a great place to see winter birds.  I found a very handsome Common Redpoll on a sunny day, as well as Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, and Pine Siskin.  Other birds, like the Ruffed Grouse, Bald Eagle,  and Pileated Woodpecker, were either camera shy or too fast for me.

Winter Flower & Train Show 2011

I took my parents through the Winter Flower and Train Show at the Lincoln Park Conservatory this year.  My dad really liked the trains.

The tracks for three trains ran through a poinsettia "forest" and beside models of vintage Chicago buildings, such as the Shedd Aquarium and the Chicago Art Institute. 

Each building model was made of all-natural materials.  There were water features and bridges, as well. 

It was fun to walk through this very creative Christmas-themed setting in the historic Lincoln Park Conservatory.

Of course, there were stunning blooms throughout the rest of the Conservatory, especially in the orchid room.