Sax-Zim Bog. This was a must-see destination for me as I recently began photographing various owls in the state of Iowa (where I live) as well as neighboring states (of Nebraska and Illinois). While many talk of the beauty and mystique of the Great Gray Owl... coming to the Sax Zim Bog is your chance to come directly to the front door of the Great Gray Owl as well as many other owls and birds.
This bog has some well-weathered roads that enable admirers and photographers the unique chance of seeing many feathered friends right off the beaten path. Some prominent roads to venture to that may enable you to see the most in this bog are Admiral and McDavitt roads as well as Owl Avenue.
My first trip to Sax Zim Bog was on March 11th through the 15th. I first entered the Bog at Lake Nichols Road where there exists a lake which could easily attract owls. However, on my entry I saw none. I then drove directly to the popular roads of McDavitt and Admiral where I saw zero owls. (*This trip was made solely for the chance to see the Great Gray Owl and if luck prevailed - a Boreal Owl). I then proceeded to Sax Road to Stickney Road hoping to find Owl Avenue. At this point a photographer from Illinois was leading me to a road he had great luck in photographing Great Gray Owls on - Arkola Road. After spending what seemed like a strong hour on this road, we found nothing. As the night fell I decided to venture south of the Welcome Center and wound up on South Owl Avenue. At about 7pmish off to the west I saw my first Great Gray Owl. I spent about 40 minutes photographing this Great Gray as it flew from tree top to the next tree top. This owl knew of my presence but did not seem to care. I shot primarily from my car and at some point decided to get out and venture on foot. My reasoning for this was to avoid driving into a ditch and never making it back to Iowa... plus it was late at night and knew no one else would be entering the Bog this late. I photographed this owl until darkness disabled me.
The following morning I entered into the Bog off Zim Road from the east off Highway 7. In my attempts to find McDavitt road off of Zim I failed miserably but led me to find my second, third and fourth chances to photograph a Great Gray owl in less than 24 hours of being AT the Bog. While proceeding on Zim Road I neared Yoki Road and noticed a Great Gray Owl about 15 feet off the ground perched on a leaning branch overlooking Zim Road. As I neared this breath-taking owl I decreased my speed to about 15 mph. As I approached I easily photographed this owl not once looking at me but still focused on it's own breakfast buffet. I then turned around and came back and she had moved to a different branch but on the same tree which allowed me to photograph the warmth of the sun laying across this owl's face. She never once looked at me or cared I was there... but as another photographer neared me, she flew off. I then decided to head west on Zim Road and found yet another Great Gray owl. I took a couple of photographs then she flew off into the Bog. As I entered onto Yoki Road I noticed a Great Gray Owl perched way up high on what seemed like the highest one could reach of a tree top and this owl sat patiently still for about an hour. Most times she kept her eyes closed but then she would awaken only to readjust herself then visually scour the area for voles. I was able to photograph this owl from many angles and she gave me all the time I needed.
The next two days of driving around the Bog I only saw a Northern Hawk Owl. Nothing else.
The timeframe I came was not perfect and what many a birder told and lectured me about was "You showed up too late." Ideally, I would recommend anyone coming to come from December to February. I feel lucky and fortunate to have photographed ANY Great Gray Owls. But I did. Photos to follow.
Biggest tip I could recommend -- FILL YOUR CAR up each morning with all the gas you can get. You will lose sense of time and distance while photographing these beautiful owls.
Sax-Zim Bog is actually about 300 square miles of not only bog, but aspen uplands, rivers, lakes, meadows, farms and even a couple towns! It is not just a giant bog, but rather a "magic mix" of habitats that boreal birds love. The Sax-Zim Bog is prime habitat for bog specialists such as Great Gray Owl, Black-backed Woodpecker, Boreal Chickadee, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher and Connecticut Warbler. Bobcat, Lynx, Pine Marten, Fisher also use this habitat. Mature bogs are also important wintering habitat for Great Gray Owl, N Hawk Owl, White-winged Crossbill, Pine Grosbeak, Common Redpoll and Hoary Redpoll. The land is laced with many dirt and paved roads. In fact, most birding is done from the road. read more