Category: wildlife

Hawk Opening Act

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.

Male Mallard Headshot

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.

More American Coot

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!

Gallery- Loon Photos

I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to display these at two different galleries.

Loon Piggy Back

The photo on top was displayed in metal print at a gallery about 2 hours north of the city for a month. Only one piece or artwork could be submitted. The same image was also displayed in print form at another gallery.

Loon Door Dash

The image from on top and the image under were both on display in a small gallery in Manhattan for a short period of time this month. I submitted the prints for the show and someone else framed them. Not a big deal, but a big deal for me.

Drinking Duck

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

Loggerhead Shrike

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.

St Regis Loon with Fish

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.

Lessons from a Loon

Spend time at the lake.

Go for a long swim.

Surround yourself with beauty.

Don’t be afraid to dive deep.

Unknown Author

Raccoons Canoeing

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.

Chipmunk

I have not seen a lot of chipmunks this year. The population of hawks and owls is increasing. They both have it on their menu. One place I usually hike a lot in chipmunks are more rare to see this year. It has owls, and at least three different kinds of hawks claiming it as their hunting ground. I think the squirrel and chipmunk populations were decimated over the winter.

This one I saw this spring at a different hiking location. It had less hawks and owl per acre. Oddly this one was in an area near a great horned owl’s nest. It may have been far enough away to stay out of trouble, but hopefully he has been on the lookout. I had to put up a shorter post in between thunderstorms. Continue to your weekend!

North Creek Mosaic

What can you do with a large concrete wall? You can turn it into a mosaic or mural. This is exactly what they did in North Creek, N.Y.

This mosaic is on Main Street in North Creek. The mosaic depicts the animals and activities that make the Adirondacks what it is. It was artist Kate Hartley’s idea to turn this 180 foot concrete wall into a mosaic. She had the help of over 700 volunteers including students from the area and visitors, so this was a community project.

Overview

I could not get pictures of the whole wall. There were cars parked in front of it. Below are the sections I could get. The rest I took closer pictures of sections of the wall.

Activities

They did a great job picking out activities that one can do in summer in the area.

Hiking

There are a lot of mountains to climb in the Adirondacks.

White Water Rafting

There are white water rafting trips out of North Creek on the Hudson River.

Kayaking or White Water Kayaking

You can kayak calm waters of lakes or ponds or kayak white waters in the Adirondacks.

Tubing

There are places that bring you there and pick you up where you end.

Camping

There are many places to camp in the Adirondacks. Some you pay a fee, others that are more wilderness sights are free. Some can only be accessed by canoe, kayak or boat.

Canoeing

Like kayaking, there are calm waters to paddle on and not so calm.

Wildlife

Moose

Moose are seen the Adirondacks. I saw my first (NY) one last year crossing a road early in the morning. By the time I stopped my car and picked up my camera it was on the other side of the road into the woods. This was north of Tupper Lake.

Great Blue Heron

Common on many types of water. They move around and fish on lakes, ponds, streams, etc.

Black Bear

Black bears are frequently sighted in the Adirondacks.

Pileated Woodpecker

Loon

Common Loons are on almost every lake and pond large enough to take off on and have enough fish.

Again these pictures do not represent the entire mosaic. I love seeing artwork like murals and mosaics. It is always a bonus to find out it was a community project. I think this mosaic did a great job representing the local area. If you are skiing Gore in Winter or White Water rafting the Hudson River, stop by and check out the mosaic. It’s Purely Adirondack.