Spectacled Owls

Spectacled owls range from Mexico down into South America. I doubt I will ever get to see one in those locations, but I was able to view this owl and others through a group that puts on educational shows.

Juvenile Spectacled Owl

Spectacled Owls – Juvenile

This is a juvenile spectacled owl. They have different colouring than adults. Their head is more white, while the adults’ head feathers are more a darker brown.

Spectacled Owls – Juvenile

Adult Spectacled Owl

Spectacled Owls – Adult

How did they get their name?

I do not have a head on shot of the adult. It has white markings around its eyes that make it look like it is wearing glasses. One of their calls is a tapping sound, and they are also known as a knocking owl. The knocking like sound has also resulted in it being named the coffin maker in some places as the sound is likened to someone pounding nails into a coffin.

This was a treat! I was able to see from a short distance owls, some of which are not in the area I live in. I saw a show by a different group 1-2 years ago where they were against photos being taken and were anti anyone with a nice camera. It was nice to see this group was not like that. No flashes were used. Have a great weekend.

Pedicab at Night

What three wheeled vehicle operates as a taxi in Manhattan? Pedicabs are seen in high tourist areas in the city.

Pedicab at Night

I usually see pedicabs with 2 adult passengers, but a website mentions they can carry up to three. The price seems to be by the ride, not by the number of people. Some advertise they charge 5-9 dollars a minute, meanwhile a website for one company states that they charge $40 dollars for a one hour tour of Central Park and they book through their website. They have to disclose the cost prior to the ride. Have you ever ridden in a pedicab?

Citybikes at Night

On one of my trips down to the city I saw these two looking down a street, appearing to contemplate their next turn. I am guessing these two men could be father and son.

They are riding citibikes. Citibikes are rentals that advertise $19 dollars a day with unlimited 30 minute rides. Would you rent a bike to ride on the streets of Manhattan?

Moorhen

I viewed both moorhens and coots in Royal Parks in London. The moorhen reminds me of another bird, the American Coot. Coots and moorhens are related. How are they alike and different?

Moorhen

To me the major similarity are the legs and feet. I describe them as lizard like. They both are omnivores and eat plants and small animals. In addition they both have a reddish tint to their eyes. Both Moorhens and Coots can be seen in England and parts of the U.S. I have yet to see a moorhen in the US. They are also both known to hang around near ducks.

Moorhen

They do differ in some ways. Coots are more black in plumage while Moorhens have black and brownish colouring. Moorhens have a red face shield and a yellow beak, while coots have a white face shield and beak.

Did you know these birds are also known as swamp chickens? It may be because the body looks like that of a chicken. In old English they were known as morhens. In old English mor means marsh. Do you know any other birds that have interesting nicknames?

You Are in My Spot 2

This was shot from today. A lot of action with the owls repeatedly trying to knock the hawks off the posts. I had just arrived and the spots close to the action were crowded. I took these standing in between people from behind. This very large area of acreage shuts down access to most of the land after the short eared owls arrive to protect them. People are allowed to stand in certain areas very small areas on the land. The owls will fly close to where the people are allowed to stand.

You are in My Spot 2

The light was not ideal as it was cloudy and on the dark side before sunset. We are expecting rain the next few days which is greatly needed. Have a great week!

Short-Eared Owl Hugging the Grass

I was not sure I was going to go to see the owls today, but I am glad I did. Usually there are too many people there on Sundays and too much noise. However, despite the large number of people everyone was quiet, and we got a treat.

Short-Eared Owl Hugging the Grass

At least 4-5 owls were up around 3:30 and the light started coming out from behind the clouds in spurts.

Short-Eared Owl Hugging the Grass

Many times the owls were flying just above the grass. We did see one successfully catch a vole. I have a few shots of it flying low with it, but I was facing the sun and the images were not that sharp. You can’t have everything, however it was a very satisfying viewing day. I hope you had a great weekend.

You’re In My Spot!

The short-eared owls have been back a few weeks. They are taking no prisoners. There are not letting the hawks hang out on the posts. This reminds me of Sheldon in Big Bang Theory. He did not like anyone sitting in his chair.

You’re In My Spot!

The short-eared owls would fly up and try to knock the hawks off the posts. They were also chasing them around the refuge.

You’re In My Spot!

The owls are not landing on any of the numerous posts put up for perching. Hopefully they will soon. Sometimes that is your best chance at a decent shot because you can lower the shutter speed.

You’re In My Spot!

Do you have a favourite spot? Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Around Bryant Park Thanksgiving Eve

I had to hit a store after work on the night before Thanksgiving. On the way back to the Grand Central I stopped by Brant Park. Manhattan was very crowded and Brant Park was no exception.

Around Bryant Park Thanksgiving Eve – different kind of holiday lights

Brant Park has an ice skating rink, which I could not get close to, and a nice little Christmas Market with many vendor booths set up in sheds. Here are some of the things that caught my eye that I could get a photo of.

Around Bryant Park Thanksgiving Eve – Lanterns with patterns from India
Around Bryant Park Thanksgiving Eve
Around Bryant Park Thanksgiving Eve – North Pole Express

The North Pole Express tour bus picks up on 42nd Street, the street bordering the north side of the park. I hope you had an enjoyable Thanksgiving.

Coyotes Howling During Beaver Moon

I was in a parking lot near my apartment when I heard these coyotes howling on the night of the Beaver Moon. I quickly went to my car as I did not want to chance becoming coyote food.

I’m not not sure if it was the moon they were howling at or if it was the usual calling the pack to dinner. The actually sounded closer than this video that my phone picked up. My area has an abundance of deer. I have never heard this many coyotes before. Did anyone else have an interesting experience with animals on the night of the Beaver Moon?

Female Red-Bellied Woodpecker

This is the female version of the red-bellied woodpecker. The male has red all the way to and including its crown. The female does not have red on the crown. It looks like it has a bald head.

Female Red-Bellied Woodpecker

These pictures were taken last weekend in a wetlands area in a different county that I found the male.

Female Red-Bellied Woodpecker

I am having issues tagging photos tonight. Is anyone else? It deletes as I am typing them. Anytime I contact Word Press anymore they do not respond.

Have a great weekend! If you have good weather catch some rays and get some Vitamin D.