What do you do on a day off? Besides running some errands I also went to see how close the short-eared owls would come today.
Short-eared Owl on the hunt – fly byShort-eared owls on the huntShort-Eared Owls on the hunt. – This one flew over a trail you allowed on.Short-Eared Owl on the hunt
It helped that is was a sunny day and not too windy. They came out at around sunset, so we all had a little bit of time to photography them. They were closer than I had seen them from early December through the beginning of February on Sundays, but not too close. These are all taken with a zoom lens and are heavily cropped. Squeeze in some time with nature and wildlife on your days off. Have a great week!
I usually can only go on Sunday afternoons. Up until now this winter I have not seen short-eared owls, except at quite a distance. Tonight I saw them closer, but still not very close after sunset.
Short-Eared Owl at Night
Weekends are not a good time to go. I have been going on Sundays since early December with little luck. It is crowded and people tend to be loud on the weekends, hence the owls stay far beyond the distance to take a decent photo. Not a good recipe for chances to see them up close. This was just after sunset. Here’s hoping I have better luck in the future.
The main attraction at one place I visit is short eared owls. I usually can only go during the weekend. Too many people are there then, so the owls do not come close to the areas you are allowed to stand while visiting. Occasionally, on a weekday they may come close to the photographers. However, so far I have only been able to stop by on one day during the weekends. Luckily this hawk has started to entertain us. I think it either wants to know what the fuss is, or it is a diva. The hawk seems to be saying, “Look at Me!”
Hawk Opening Act
I believe it is a red -tailed hawk. It is obliging and lands on trees, buildings, and posts. Sometimes the opening acts are better than the main show. Don’t discount them.
We have experienced a lot of rain and many cloudy days since the start of summer. This picture of a male mallard was taken on the Hudson River when a break in clouds formed. It was a short window.
Male Mallard Headshot
This male mallard is enjoying some corn. Try to enjoy the sunshine, even if it is only in short spurts.
Would the American Coot still be here on Christmas? Yes, it was. Before heading out Christmas morning I stopped by the river to feed some ducks and the lone American Coot was still there.
More American Coot – Following the Ducks
This time it fuly came out of the water to where the corn was. He was actually one of the first to come up on land. I actually got a better view of the coot’s legs than during the summer. They are still greenish and very lizard looking.
More American Coot- Heading towards the corn.
He has come close to shore many times, but this is the first time I have seen him go after the corn I leave out. I am guessing this means there is less for it to eat in the water. I am surprised this bird is hanging around.
I hope you had a Merry Christmas and have a healthy New Year!
This duck was drinking out of the Hudson River. Not the best lighting conditions, but I will take it. Bad weather is predicted for here tomorrow. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Duck drinking the Hudson River water.Drinking duck
This bird seems to be a big deal in my area. Some have acted like it was a major tick on your bird watching list. We do not seem to be in its breeding or non breeding range, however, there are maps that show in huge swathes of areas that are breeding and non-breeding areas. I am told this is a loggerhead shrike, although it was far away and I could not get a clear picture.
I did see the tell tale signs along the trail. I saw low bushes with pointy branches with impaled insects on them. Oddly this reminds me of the shish kebab I ate last night.
I do not think I would have spotted this bird on my own. I have issues spotting the smaller birds at long distances. Luckily a few others spotted it in the general vicinity of the bushes I found, although not close, and closer to another taller bush with an insect impaled on it. It was quite a distance and I’m not sure my lens is working so great in the past coupl of months.
Regardless of the poor quality of the image I was happy to get the chance to see this bird. Is this bird really that rare to find? I’m sure other bird watchers have seen it.
I have seen art displayed outside via murals on sides of building in NYC. I have seen poetry on mailboxes. I was surprised to find artwork on the sidewalk. This street art is by Goat. As their website says they are the first street artist to blend AI with street art.
Just another loon picture from earlier in the summer. I am really busy at work, but hope to get somewhere on an upcoming holiday if it works out time-wise and health-wise.
Loon from the St. Regis Lakes in the Adirondack Mountains of New York.
Enjoy these last days of summer. Fall is closing in.
These were on display in a store in Lake Placid. Raccoons are seen as a nuisance to some in New York. I do not know the history of these animals, whether they were trapped or road kill. My understanding from one store owner I asked a few years ago some of these displays are old.
For this photo I removed what was around it.
The only place I have seen displays like this is in the Adirondacks. There is a long history of trapping in the Adirondacks beginning with the Native Americans with the Europeans entering the region with metal traps in the 16th century. Trapping still exists today in New York with a designated season to do so.
