This has been quite the morning around here!! Yesterday afternoon I was watching the many birds at the feeder when all of a sudden they all took off -and didn't return for the rest of the day. Around here that means one thing -raptors - not the dinosaur kind -the large birds of prey. I looked and looked but couldn't see any...but I knew they were there. The first picture was taken in the summer at a Raptor Show in a park in Quebec. Pictured is a Red Shouldered Hawk. First thing this morning (still no birds at the feeders) I saw one fly over-up high -just searching.
This is a Red Tailed Hawk covering it's just captured lure at the show.
Red Tailed Hawk just before takeoff! About 8 this morning I looked out to see an American Kestral (Sparrow Hawk) sitting high up in a maple tree. That was why there were no birds -he took off as some crows flew in to investigate him. About an hour later I saw a number of song birds had returned to the feeder behind the kitchen window and was admiring them and then right before my eyes, the Kestral swooped in and snatched one in mid air, just feet from my eyes!!! I jumped back and the other birds dove for cover. I saw it land in a pine tree close to house so grabbed the camera, shoved feet into the first pair of boots by the back door and in my nightgown and housecoat ran out in the snow to see if I could get a picture...but he saw me and flew off leaving only a few little brown feathers floating in the air.....poor little bird, but the bigger birds must survive too.
JJ and I went out for breakfast today and on our way back from the village, I spotted a Kestral in a tree by the road, did a u-turn but he had flown away. As we turned onto the road along the river to head home JJ spotted another bird flying along the rivers edge...large, very large, flying with great speed.....we pursued it but couldn't catch up to it. I jumped out of the car near our local park and tried to find it in the sky , took a few pictures but could hardly focus before it was way down the river. An eagle no doubt.....
Although not clear, the pictures were clear enough for positive id -a mature American Bald Eagle. Uncommon for this area, but we have seen one from time to time. They are about 36 inches tall with a wingspan of 7 feet. Huge!!! Both JJ and I have seen one in the past few weeks at dusk while walking Nellie but couldn't make a positive id. We have Golden Eagles from time to time as well. This one's beak looks huge so it could be a female. Exciting birding day to be sure!!!!!
JJ and I went out for breakfast today and on our way back from the village, I spotted a Kestral in a tree by the road, did a u-turn but he had flown away. As we turned onto the road along the river to head home JJ spotted another bird flying along the rivers edge...large, very large, flying with great speed.....we pursued it but couldn't catch up to it. I jumped out of the car near our local park and tried to find it in the sky , took a few pictures but could hardly focus before it was way down the river. An eagle no doubt.....
Although not clear, the pictures were clear enough for positive id -a mature American Bald Eagle. Uncommon for this area, but we have seen one from time to time. They are about 36 inches tall with a wingspan of 7 feet. Huge!!! Both JJ and I have seen one in the past few weeks at dusk while walking Nellie but couldn't make a positive id. We have Golden Eagles from time to time as well. This one's beak looks huge so it could be a female. Exciting birding day to be sure!!!!!
