Eagle DIY

When one adult bald eagle is on nest watching duty, they at times fly nearby to grab a stick, small branch, grass, or pine sprig to add to the nest. Today was no exception.

Eagle DIY- Pine Branch

The eagles from this nest tend to grab grass from the field below and branches and sprigs from nearby trees. The parents lost an eaglet each of the last two years. Here’s hoping the three in the nest grow up to reach adulthood. The parents are keeping them well fed and are doing their part to try to keep them safe. Fingers crossed.

Eagle DIY – Bringing in a pine branch

Get out and enjoy the nice days! Have a great Monday!

Red Breasted Merganser 2

I got another chance to see this bird this week. It was about a mile south of where I saw it last. It is a juvenile male red-breasted merganser or a female.

It came to the mouth of a creek emptying into the Hudson River, but it originally stayed on the bank opposite me at quite a distance. Then it flew off.

Some geese started hanging out close to me for a while. It flew back, but this time closer to where I was. Not as close as I would want, but I will take it. My neck of the woods is in this type of merganser’s migration area. Where I took this photo appears to be above the area non breeding mergansers of this type would stay. Their breeding area is in the north of Canada. I have not seen any adult male mergansers around.

You never know what you will see. Happy Easter if you celebrate it!

Eagle Nest 4/15

After I started watching this nest today, a storm with high winds came in. Before it got bad I saw what I believe is the mother in the nest. I also say one eaglet head pop up at a time. It is said this nest has three.

Eagle Nest 4/15 – Probably the mother

When the winds started getting bad, I hung out in my car, but decided to wait it out. I’m glad I did. I do not think I have taken pictures of an eagle bringing in a fish in quite a while. Today I saw two brought in.

Eagle Nest 4/15 – Most likely the dad

This nest is on the Hudson River, but there are other bodies of water nearby. Each time the dad went out in the direction of the river, so I assume this is where he caught both fish, but he did not tell me.

Eagle Nest 4/15 – Dad ate most of this fish

The second fish he brought back was partial, just the tail region. I guess the dad was hungry. I did not stay around to see him bring in another, by this time I was hungry. What did I have for dinner? Salmon. Have a happy Wednesday!

Red-Breasted Merganser

It was dark and I was facing the sun’s direction when I took this, so not good lighting. It was also not close. Merlin gave me the Red-Breasted Merganser as a first choice. I think that is what it is, possibly an immature. It was skittish and stayed a distance out on the Hudson River, so I am not sure I will get another chance at getting another shot.

Red-Breasted Merganser

Have a happy Tuesday!

Osprey New Season

This pair was the first one I caught arriving back. They seem to be the most active pair. I am not sure if the nest survived from the winter and they just add to it, or if they had to start anew. I only just started exploring this area of the river.

Osprey New Season

The male is arriving back at the nest. This nest is far away, so these images are taken with a zoom lens and heavily cropped.

Osprey New Season

The above photo was yesterday. This is the first time I saw both hang out for a long time in the nest. Could there be eggs yet? It was a warmer spring day with little to no winds. Get out and enjoy the first signs of spring.

Nesting Eagle

Evidently there are two young eaglets in this nest this year. Last year they had one and it did not last too long after it hatched. Hopefully the two in this nest make it.

Nesting Eagle

I did not see the eaglets. It appeared as though this eagle was feeding them part of the time I was there. The head of the adult kept dipping down into the nest.

Nesting Eagle – Bringing in a stick

When the skies started getting darker with an approaching rain storm, the eagle flew out to bring in another stick. I guess home repairs never end. Have a happy Friday!

Osprey in Tree March 2025

Today I went down to see the osprey nest on the Hudson River. I was not expecting much as the sky was dark all day, it was foggy/hazy, and I did not see much in the later part of the week after work. It was actually a good day despite the conditions.

Osprey in Tree March 2025- flying towards tree

I was on a section of a walking trail along the river I had not been on yet and almost missed it. I was talking to a nice older couple, when I saw this Osprey fly into a tree close to the trail and on the river.

Osprey in Tree March 2025

After it landed its mate came flying up to the same tree about 10 minutes later. They stayed a few minutes more then flew off.

Osprey in Tree March 2025

The older couple followed me to a closer look out and got their own pictures as well.

Osprey in Tree March 2025

Most of my pictures were not tack sharp, but not the worst. There was a lot of action and it was great to see it. I was informed by the local fishermen that it may be tough to get a spot to view the nest as the seasons for one particular fish opens very soon. They expect the park to be flooded with fishermen. Have a great week!

Red-Tailed Hawk on the Hudson

I stopped on a dark day after work to see the osprey, but only saw this red-tailed hawk up close instead. I have been to this location several times, but it was the first time I saw a red-tailed hawk there.

Red-Tailed Hawk on the Hudson

This park borders a large piece of private property that includes a field and a lot of woods, so this hawk has a variety of spots to chose from. I am guessing it does not go to the shoreline as much.

It was scanning the shoreline of the Hudson River under the tree it was perched on and watching the kingfishers and other birds pass by.

Red-Tailed Hawk on the Hudson

After it fanned out it’s wing feathers it flew off right over my head. I did not take pictures of its flight as I was sure I did not have the shutter speed high enough. It appeared to possibly land and catch something in a grassy area behind me. It was not my anticipated subject, but good to see all the same. Have a great weekend!

Close Encounter With an Osprey

I need to stop in at this little park on the Hudson River as much as I can. Luckily it is not too far off the beaten path from my long commute home from work. Two out of three times I have been there I have had close fly-bys of an Osprey scanning the river and creek for fish. It is not far from a nest, but I am not sure this osprey is attached to that nest.

Close Encounter with an Osprey

Some day I hope to see and get shots of it going in the water and coming up with a fish. I have seen an osprey fly to the nest from this direction with a fish, so I am hoping everything aligns some day. Have a great week!

Killdeer on the Hudson

I have seen these birds at Assateague Island, Maryland at the state park . They were amongst the vegetation of the dunes. They pop out and seem to be hyper there. It is hard to get images of them. These are killdeer and I saw two on the shore of the Hudson River in New York. They were not so hyper and actually walked on the shore right in front of us.

Killdeer on the Hudson

They have a unique call. I just love their big eyes outlined in orange.  They eat earthworms, snails, crayfish, grasshoppers, beetles, among other things.  They are skilled at doing the broken-wing display, which is an attempt to lure predators away from their nest .

Killdeer on the Hudson

My area of New York is in their breeding range. South of us is their year round range. They obviously go elsewhere for winter. Welcome back! Have a great weekend!