We’ve recently completed our very first pandemic-era out-of-state trip, to one of our regular and favorite winter birding destinations, the snowy wilds of Northeast Minnesota. It was a great (and safe!) trip that featured almost all of the birds you hope to see when you go to that part of the world in winter. We had great experiences with Great Gray Owls, a beautiful Northern Hawk Owl, an up-close-and-personal Black-backed Woodpecker, Spruce and Ruffed Grouse on the side of the road, and bird feeders that featured Boreal Chickadee, Hoary Redpoll, Pine & Evening Grosbeaks, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Black-billed Magpie, and Canada Jay. Check out the trip report for details and visit the photo gallery to see the amazing photo opportunities that this trip offers! Then contact us to plan your pandemic-safe trip to the Northwoods!

We came across this Great Gray Owl hunting in a field as we were driving backroads near Two Harbors. What a bird! Photo by Josh Engel.