Sharon's Iconic Travel Photography Blog

Educated Red-Tailed Hawk

I saw this hawk on the campus of a local university. The Merlin app only assigns the red tailed hawk to these images, so I will have to assume that is what it is.

I was hoping to see this bird fly. Although it did look like it was actively hunting looking for mice etc. It did not move on from this spot while I was there.

I was walking in an open area and on the return I heard the call of a red tailed hawk coming from the woods, so I am assuming it may have been this bird.

I know a lot of schools in New York had off today for Veteran’s Day. I understand some in Connecticut may have had classes. I know of some veteran’s who were asked to go in and speak at one school. Since the numbers of people in this country who have actually served in the military are decreasing, maybe a day in school inviting in those who served would be a better use of time. If you served in the military, thank you for your service!

Teapots Repurposed

“Wherever you are in the world, you are at home when tea is served.”

Earlene Grey

According to the The UK Tea & Infusions Association 84% of the UK population drinks tea every day. Tea is my favourite drink as well. These pictures were taken in London at I believe at the outdoor seating of an Arab restaurant.

I love how they repurposed these old teapots into flower vases. It combines the British love of tea with their love of flowers.

What do you think, are these teapots your cup of tea?

More Tufted Titmouse

Park security greeted me again upon arrival. It was the tufted titmouse. Everywhere I went in the park they followed and posed for me.

At one point I went on a path with brush on both sides. It was landing on the bushes within a foot of me. One also landed on my zoom lens and on my hand holding the camera up.

We are in a dry situation. Normally I do not wish for rain on weekends, but I am pulling for it to happen this weekend. We have had multiple wildfires in surrounding counties. I like having the skies we had the past few weeks. It can make for some great photos, but there is evidently too much of a good thing.

Enjoy your Sunday and Happy Veteran’s Day to all who served!

Red-Bellied Woodpecker

I believe this is the red-bellied woodpecker. My area of New York is within its year round range. By comparing it to photos on All About Birds I would think this is a male as males have a red crown.

I could not get a good view of this bird. I only saw it for a short amount of time. When I moved to a side of the tree that was better for lighting it was not visible.

This may be the first time I have seen this kind of woodpecker. This location is said to have red-headed woodpeckers also. I stop here frequently, but have yet to sight one. Enjoy your holiday weekend. Happy Veteran’s Day!

Black-Capped Chickadee

I believe this is a black capped chickadee. I saw this in a park on the Hudson River in New York. New York is within its year round range.

According to All About Birds the black-capped chickadee has a habit of investigating people. This bird flew right at me a few times then veered off. So that was certainly true.

Have a Happy Friday!

Ruby-Crowned Kinglet November

They say you usually do not see the crown unless this bird is agitated. It was a very windy day and the crown feathers are only partially visible and not standing up, so I do not think it was agitated.

This bird does not linger on branches. It moves from branch to branch and tree to tree like it is hyperactive.

Sometimes windy days can be good days for taking a photograph. Have a great Wednesday!

Downy Woodpecker in November

The Downy Woodpecker was another bird I saw in a park on the Hudson River in New York. New York is in the year round range of this bird, as is most of the U.S.

The park is mostly woods. However, these shots are at the edge of the woods close to an open area. They usually stick to woods, but can be found in parks and they say at your bird feeder. When I was allowed to feed birds, I would see them in the woods behind my apartment, but not at the feeder.

This Downy Woodpecker is a male as males have the red patch on the back of their head.

Have a great rest of your week! Enjoy the great outdoors!

Tufted Titmouse in November

I believe these are all tufted titmouse. I saw these in a park on the Hudson River in New York. My region of New York is within its year-round range.

Tufted titmouse were following me around at this park. They were really interested in where I was.

These birds will visit feeders. In the complex I live in we were banned a few years ago from feeding the birds due to a bear going through and raiding the bird feeders. No one has been feeding the birds since, but we still have bears wandering through.

According to All About Birds Tufted Titmice move from branch to branch in the forest looking for food. They will go on the ground after fallen seeds. The park I went to was made up mostly of forest along the river.

Enjoy the weather and have a great week!

White-Breasted Nuthatch

I believe this is a white-breasted nuthatch. I saw this in a park next to the Hudson River in the Hudson Valley of New York. Most of the US including New York State is part of their year-round range.

According to All About Birds white-breasted nuthatches get their name from their habit of jamming large nuts and acorns into tree bark, then hitting them with their sharp bill to “hatch” out the seed from the inside.

Have a great weekend!

Peregrine With Falconer

This is the closest I will get to a peregrine falcon. I was in the front row at an outdoor falconry show at Warwick Castle in Warwick, England in July.

I had a zoom lens on my camera. It was raining and dark, so the lighting wasn’t the best and it was too difficult to get shots while they were in flight. The rain kept interfering with my auto focus.

Despite the weather and lighting conditions it was a great show to watch. Have a great week!

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