The Duluth Delta: a Birding Trip to MN

Friday: February 9th So we were a bit disappointed about our start, but that's how birding goes. We focused our thoughts to the possibilities of Day 2 at the famed Sax-Zim Bog. We awoke early enough to carry out our twenty minute dressing routine and head to the Bog to arrive before sunrise. Our first plan was to head down McDavitt Road, a spot that had appeared frequently in the posts from the area. Birding in Minnesota is very different from Georgia birding, and I don't think I was prepared for just how different it would be. With the sun breaching the horizon, we discussed potential game plans. Should we drive or walk? Well I'm big on walking; it allows the use of all the senses. I wasn't dissuaded by the -29 degree temperature reading on the dash. But it quickly became apparent that splitting up and covering distance on foot was not the best idea. As I walked down the road, I saw one Pileated flyover, but the most striking thing was the silence. Ice formed in my n...

Who are we? Jim Hanna : https://ebird.org/profile/MTU4MzE0/US Chris Skelton: https://ebird.org/profile/MjI0MjQ5/world John Patten Moss: https://ebird.org/profile/MzM3Nzc3/US-GA

What a trip this was: five days in the subarctic frigidness of the Minnesota Taiga. Only a serious birder could hatch a plan like this, especially one from the South. But back in the fall of 2017, my uncle Chris Skelton was already scheming about a birding trip to Minnesota in midwinter. I expressed interest, as did our longtime Georgia birding friend Jim Hanna, and soon enough, it was upon us. Thursday: February 8th 6 a.m.: We meet at the Pre-Flight parking area on the west side of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. This is a decision that would fill our Minnesota days with the tune of Rocket Man. After greeting, we hopped onboard the shuttle to head to the thick of it. As we waited in the airport in the early morning hours, we dreamed of Minnesota specialties, spoke of our potential first species/lifer, and said goodbye to the South for a little while. Although Uncle Chris and Jim had both visited the state before, this would be a first to me. My expectations were wide ope...