Rough-legged Hawk
This Rough-legged Hawk put on a brief but thrilling show for me today, facing into the wind to help it hover while scanning the land below for any small mammal prey. The wind was particularly strong thanks to the major storm currently impacting the Northeast region. Whichever one of the hawk’s eyes that was being battered by the wind the most was often covered by its nictitating membrane. This third eyelid is almost like wearing a pair of sunglasses for the raptor in that it can still see while the eye is more protected than it would be otherwise. It was also keeping the eye moist with...
Read MoreCooper’s Hawk
I completely forgot to post these two photos of a young Cooper’s Hawk from last month, so here they are now. This individual was going after a Song Sparrow that had taken cover in a brush pile. It really seemed as if more accipiters remained in the Northeast during the extreme December record heat with more prey to find than usual in very cooperative weather conditions. What do you think is harder – hunting on a 60 degree sunny day with a light southerly breeze, or finding a meal when several inches of snow is falling in 20 degree temperatures with a bitter northerly flow? I...
Read MoreHummingbirds in Flight
Sean is taking his photography to another unbelievable level here with hummingbirds in flight. This is a Green-breasted Mango (Anthracothorax prevostii), Rufous-tailed Hummingbird (Amazilia tzacatl), and Steely-vented Hummingbird (Amazilia saucerottei), all species common to the dry forests of Nicoya in Costa Rica. This photo represents the hectic behavior you get to witness daily there with multiple species vying for a place at their feeders. Photographed by RTPI Affiliate Sean Graesser for the Meet Your Neighbours global biodiversity project in Costa Rica while on assignment for the Roger...
Read MoreEastern Phoebe
Here is a Throwback Thursday to a little more color! I photographed this Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) around a month ago with the fall foliage still just beginning to change. It will be a while before we see that sort of green background again, but these birds could have stayed here for longer than usual with all the insects we still have in the air thanks to continued warmth. You never know, some may still be here…check out any hotspots, literally, and you could find some very late birds. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreOsprey Subspecies
This late fall Osprey is a bird of a rare subspecies we do not get to enjoy passing by too often! I recently took this record shot of what looks like one of the 12 Presidential MV-22 from the U.S. Marines Corps HMX-1 squadron, used as support aircraft, flying unfortunately all too far away for a good look. Happy Veterans Day, and thanks to all for their service. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
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