The Ghost of the Northwoods has lived up to its name for many years, eluding Bill on several winter ventures to Minnesota. The great gray is easier to spot against the white backdrop of snow and bare trees. However, it was late summer of 2021 - an even more difficult time to spot these camoflauge experts due to the trees and dense forest - when persistence finally paid off.

Bill and his girlfriend Shannon were visiting northern Minnesota for vacation. Bill wasn't sure a quest to find one would be worth it, but Shannon persuaded him to give it another try. Bill had been following some social media posts about a great gray in the area, but only had vague details of where he might be. They woke early and hit the road armed with a camera and some skepticism. The great gray was spotted right at sunrise. Bill transformed from his stoic quiet self, into a bit of a child on Christmas morning. The owl In the area for a vacation, Bill’s girlfriend Shannon persuaded him to give it another try. Armed with a camera, some skepticism, and a few vague details on a potential location, this great gray owl was spotted right at sunrise.

He proceeded to put on a show for the next several hours allowing Bill plenty of opportunity to snap a variety of shots.