Fall migration: saying good bye

 It is getting more and more difficult to find birds these days other than the resident species.   Last week the Robins were gathering in large numbers for their migration, the week before that it was the American Redstart and somewhere in that time frame the Cedar Waxwings all seemed to disappeared overnight.  There are fewer hawks to be seen soaring in the sky and today I watched Sandhill Cranes dance on the currents of the wind as they head to their wintering grounds in huge numbers.  Nothing is more fascinating and relaxing.

Migrating Cranes riding the currents

Squirrel antics

One of the species of wildlife that I have been seeing a lot since I have moved, and occasionally before that, is the Squirrel.  While they can at times be annoying and sometimes scare small birds into hiding with their alarm calls, they can also be vastly entertaining.

Bird watching: Senses and abilities

Bird watching is truly a joy and a great learning adventure for many people.  Therefore, depending on how much you treasure your sightings and experience, you require certain tools and equipment, when you head out on a birdwatching adventure.  In my case a camera is a must, whereas many birdwatchers are content with binoculars.  A camera not only records the experience for me but also helps me to identify any new species that I have sighted.  All birdwatchers have other tools at their disposal however that don't require special handling, carrying or wearing, which add greatly their adventure.   These of course are our natural senses and abilities.

Flash of movement

Ferruginous hawk update

So here it is, the latest news on the hawk that I was 90 percent certain might be a Ferruginous Hawk.

An expert has  pointed out that this hawk is lacking certain features that mark a Ferruginous Hawk.   For instance this bird's legs are not covered in feathers to the feet and it lacks the wide yellow gape of the Ferruginous Hawk.  While I am disappointed, I must  accept the fact that in my enthusiasm I have obviously made an identification error.  A second look at my photos has confirmed my mistake.  To the inexperience eye the two species of hawk appear to be very similar, depending on whether they are light or dark phased, however, I will admit that I am now somewhat confused as to this bird's identity.

Hawk flying low

Hawk above in flight

Ferruginous hawk: rare sighting

Today I decided to go on bird watch despite a billion things that needed to be done at home. It is migration season after all and I really do not want to miss any opportunities of seeing new bird species.   This turned out to be luckier for me than I could possibly imagine and  I am so excited I couldn't wait to share these pictures with you.

I am especially excited by this sighting, because the Ferruginous Hawk is an endangered species.  The only other time that I ever saw one, was five or six years ago near the golf course in Millwoods.  I had never seen one before, but it was a light phase Ferruginous hawk which was unmistakable.  This one is a bit darker in coloring but I am ninety percent certain it is the same species.  I sincerely hope you enjoy these pictures.

Susan

Rednecked Grebe

Red Necked Grebe

The Red-necked Grebe is not a bird that I see very often in a given year, but this one has visited the pond near my work regularly for the past few years.  Usually he doesn't stay long.  This year however he stayed for several weeks in August, and since I have never seen more than one Red-necked Grebe visit this particular pond at one time, I am assuming that this is a single bird that simply returns to visit.