Thank you, Conserve Wildlife of New Jersey and New Jersey Fish & Wildlife biologists for allowing me to attend the banding this year. Please contribute to Conserve Wildlife.
House sparrow getting readyScreech owl soaking up the sunAt least one eye of spring is upon usWhere the wood duck boys areHooded mergansers know where the girls areHi there, heronBath time for BirdiesDoctored recent eagle photo
Short Story: Saw a gold banded, MWR7, bald eagle catch a very big fish. The eagle went into the water trying to hold onto the fish. Turns out, the bald eagle is a success story from the 1980s. He was raised by captive parents, trained by a falconer to fly and hunt on his own, and then released as a first year in 2005. His grandparents were some of the first to be a part of the Massachusetts bald eagle recovery efforts.
The SnatchWowzer!!OOPS!!Swim to shore?Or…… fly outStayin’ AliveThere are more fish in that river.
What a week we have had along the Hudson River. The eagles are enjoying the open water and the snow goose is staying.
“Alice, come back!”Youngster hoping for an easy catch of the dayRight spot, right timeThe fishing has to be better over thereThis may be my New Year’s Day bird – tail feather coloring looks familiarSnow goose trying to get some uninterrupted sunRiver watchers team
There’s one good thing about the polar vortex. It brings a Convocation of Eagles. Please enjoy photos of our recent arrivals. The local residents are protesting with signs that say, “Private Property, NO Trespassing!!”
Fresh sushiMost likely a local bothered by the eagle invasionMy Gal giving me her eagle eyesGorgeous adult in breeding plumageYoungster flying with the big boysKettle of eagles just before a major snow squallThe crows were not happy about this first year parking on their tree.
This 2019 year has started off on the right birds for me. Featured image is an American Tree Sparrow in the freezing cold.
This lovely lady landed in front of me as I was driving to breakfast on New Years Day.An hour later, my red-tailed hawk was hunting on the landfill.Not to be left out, one of my totem birds, a great blue heron, was engaged on a local pond.Of course, the mute swans were around, too.A very few days later, my local traveling companion joined me at my park.The red-shouldered hawk was not to be left out of the photos, even in the pouring rain.
My local resident female eagle and I communed for fifteen minutes. I left. She stayed.And in a severe ice attack, our wintering eagles arrived. I am blessed today.
Most have seen these photos. I chose six that I consider to be superior.
Eagle pair – he brought a gift and she accepted – *they are not fightingPurple finch in my yardCardinal on berriesRed-shouldered hawk at the train stationGreat blue heron juvenile with its golden catch of the dayPeregrine falcon coming in to displace its father
It is time to post a few recent photos. The raptors always come first. Then it is for the little guys.
Eagle pair close to home
Local red-shouldered hawk Young Cooper’s hawk at the feeder buffetPurple finch in the backyard
Cape May warbler migrating through the backyardCedar waxwing enjoying the last bites of FallEastern phoebe looking for bugsPalm warbler waking the dead
My barn was open to all kinds of visitors during the Ossining Arts Council Open Studios Tour 2018. I had kept the feeders filled all week long in hopes of having a few birds at the feeders as people perused my photos. I learned that I have to sit outside in my backyard for much longer periods of time during fall migration. Enjoy the group. Our local sharp shinned also made a very brief visit to enjoy the snacks.
Purple finch, one of four to come to my feedersCape May warbler just passing throughRed-breasted nuthatch sharing spaceI’m sure this bird had a quick bite
Enjoy these photos from around the Lower Hudson River. The ospreys will be leaving soon, but the kingfisher stays around all year. Our immature great blue herons from a nearby rookery invade the area and some do stay.
Belted kingfisher on its favorite dead treeGreat blue heron youngster really trying to catch a fishDifferent great blue heron kid focused on the fishingAmerican kestrel on the landfillNorthern Harrier sharing the same landfillResident red-tailed hawk taking a break from the kids
