'Twas a cold and gloomy day!

Well, not completely as the sun did come out a bit later, but it sure started out snowy and gloomy!  Nonetheless, the kestrels and harriers were out in force again, especially the harriers.  It is not unusual to see two crossing paths and sometimes three as they perform the hunting dance!

Saw a few shovelers today, first ducks in a while besides the coots.  The pied bill grebes that are usually hanging out at the far end of the dike were not visible today.  However, as if to say "Spring is coming" we saw several red-winged blackbirds!  And eagles, while not abundant, were around out on the ice.  Plus one that flew right over me as if he knew I wanted a nice eagle shot!

The most amazing thing today was the picture of the hawks on the fence!  I only saw two hawks when I took the picture.  However, after looking at it on my computer later, I counted 6!  Six hawks all in a row - and they all look like harriers, tho' hard to tell at the distance and resolution.

Once again, a fine day at the refuge!

Birds, birds, birds

Diana and I spent a few hours at the refuge on MLK day - and there were birds everywhere and lots of them.  Herons, kestrels and harriers were most prominent - eagles were conspicuously absent - perhaps they had gone hunting during the mid-morning.  Anyway, got a few good shots.

Happy New Year!

My first visit of the new year, and, as expected, things are pretty much the same as the old year!! No big surprise there as the natural world does not pay any attention to man's calendar.

Very few duck hunters this Sunday, and a lot of photographers out and about.  Mostly there were Harriers flying, adults and juvies along with a couple of bald eagles and kestrels.  Saw no herons, lots of coots and a few pied bill grebes in the streams.  A red-tail watched us come in and go out from the same telephone pole!  And an eagle sat on the ice for a pic - wonder if their butt doesn't get cold?!

A nice day, altho too much smog and haze for me.  Plus the flowing water got me thinking about a canoe trip down one of them in the spring!