February 13, 2022: Superb Owl Sunday

No, I didn't coin the term "Superb Owl Sunday" but I think it's great!  Owls are among the first birds to nest each year, and barred owls, our largest and most common owls, are already looking for mates and nesting sites, so SuperbOwl Sunday is a good time to listen for their calls, whether it's to woo a mate or to defend its nesting territory.  I've heard a few in the area but haven't seen any this winter, so here's picture from three years ago, one of my favorite stories of a barred owl which you can find in the February 17, 2019 post.

A barred owl watches over the bird feeder.

Yesterday we went to the Laconia World Championship Sled Dog races, a three day event that went off with excellent snow conditions on the trails.  It's always fun to watch the dogs pull with such energy and enthusiasm, sometimes a little too much enthusiasm as when they get all tangled up at the start because they can't wait to get running.  We saw no such problems at the start of the six-dog teams on Saturday, but boy it takes an effort to keep all that excitement in control as they await their starting gun.

Bringing the first team out, one handler for each dog.

Some pretty high tech equipment.

These dogs want to run!

And they're off!

Next was team number two, another team with only five dogs, one less than allowed:

Bringing team number two the the starting line.

This handler has to manage two pups.

Raring to go.

And when the gun goes off you'd better get out of  the way,

because these guys aren't going to wait for you to move!

Team number two is off to the races.

Someone on team six was pretty excited:

Jumping for Joy.

Here they go:

Get out of the way!

It takes about 17 to 20 minutes for the six-dog teams to run their course; here team number one comes down the final stretch to the finish line.

The dogs look tired at the end, but it's hard work for the mushers too.

There was some tight racing on Saturday's six-dog classic.  Here, three teams bunched up just before the finish line.

Teams three, four, and five in a tight race.

It also shows that the mushers don't just stand on the sled, going along for the ride - note musher three working hard to keep things upright.

If you have never been to watch the races, it's definitely something to experience.  It's also interesting to think about how much canines have changed over the millennia, from wild wolves to domesticated dogs, comfort animals, service dogs, and loving pets.

But that's not all.  The Meredith fishing derby is also taking place this weekend.  We went out on Meredith Bay to see the action (and maybe get a snack from the Boy Scouts) and there was a lot going on as always.  

A whole village materializes on Meredith Bay in winter.

The leader board at derby headquarters on Meredith Bay.

I was impressed to see that Lake Wicwas was well represented on the leader board:  The largest pickerel and the largest black crappie - as of Saturday noon time - were both from Wicwas!

A  24", 3.6 pound pickerel from Lake Wicwas.

And a 13.5", 1.3 pound black crappie.

Those are some impressive fish coming out of our lake.

Lots of action on Lake Wicwas on Saturday.

This weekend is also the NH Audubon Backyard Winter Birdy Survey, and you can still participate as it runs through the end of today (February 13th).  You can find all the information on how to participate and submit your observations here.  On Saturday I observed nine different species, and am hoping to see a couple more today.

A white breasted nuthatch participates in the winter bird count.

Sorry for another long post, but it was quite a weekend up here at the Lakes.  Let's go Rams, Bengals, and Owls!