Sunday, December 27, 2009

Another foggy day

The high pressure continues to build and the resultant pollution and fog fill the valley.  The sun worked hard to get through today, finally really showing up about noon. 





Lots of harriers and kestrels at the refuge, with two mature bald eagles in their normal spots on the dead trees.  A blue heron floated in but landed far down the stream so no pictures.  A marsh sparrow ( need to look this guy up to be more definitive) was eating seeds on a thistle covered in hoarfrost - very pretty.  And a rough-legged hawk would fly back and forth between power poles so I could get a picture of him/her!


Monday, December 14, 2009

Snowy Day


A snowy day at the refuge today, snow mixed with rain.  Very few duck hunters out, although the ducks were flying low (those that remain).  Kestrels, red-tailed and rough-legged hawks were all hanging around, and there were several harriers hunting.  I watched a harrier turn in mid-flight and drop on his prey - what incredible agility.

I saw two pairs of eagles, both with one adult and one youngster.  A blue heron that spooked when I got out of the truck dive bombed an eagle sitting in the field!  I have heard of eagles bombing herons so perhaps this was payback.







Very few ducks, saw these female goldeneyes by the first bridge - and the ubiquitous coots.  A pair of pied bill grebes played down at the end of the road in the stream, where you can pretty much see them any time.



Sunday, December 6, 2009

Winter has arrived.

Fresh snow on the ground today, and with the cold weather the last few days the open areas of water have frozen over.  The ducks have mostly moved on, just a few stragglers around, like this bufflehead.


It was pretty quiet today, except for what looked like a search and rescue operation about to begin at the far end of the dike.







Only one harrier today, several kestrels out hunting, and lots of larger hawks sitting around, including the three in a tree again just outside the entrance to the refuge.  Several bald eagles were sitting out on the ice, and occasionally flying; nothing close enough for a picture.



I believe I have seen more large hawks this year than in the previous 3 years of visiting the refuge.













At a distance this looked like two bald eagles sitting in the field; once viewed through the lens, I could see what they really were - two tires with snow on top!