Redhead on Lake Erie
Here is a drake Redhead duck having a quiet swim in Lake Erie on a cloudy day with lake effect snow in the air. I love how their yellow eyes contrast with the red, and I envy how peaceful and content this bird looks in such frosty conditions. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreGreat Black-backed Gull
This Great Black-backed Gull is standing on some Lake Erie ice as the Great Lakes have rapidly filled in during the last few weeks. Waterfowl have skyrocketed in number in some locations and shifted across the Lakes and the Atlantic Coast with millions of birds moving around thanks to our weather. Some light lake effect snow was falling on this gull but it will be tough to see much more in the Chautauqua-Allegheny region with our snow machine being encrusted in ice.
Read MoreBanded Peregrine Falcon Devouring Pigeon
One of the most outrageously spectacular and breath-taking winter bird sightings you can have is, in my opinion, the Peregrine Falcon. As the fastest animal on the Earth the Peregrine is already in a class of its own, and if you have never seen one stooping on shorebirds, waterfowl or other coastal and open-country birds you are missing out on one of the most unbelievable happenings on the planet. The raw power and sheer speed these birds display is literally unmatched. After recovering from decimation via DDT the Peregrine Falcon has begun to reconquer our landscape, moving into cities and...
Read MoreMallard Pair
This Mallard drake and hen are a great looking pair, and despite the fact you may have a difficult time finding any open water and the landscape looks more like the arctic tundra some duck species will be pairing off soon. Spring? Not quite, but it is in the air…
Read MoreDrake Northern Pintail
The drake Northern Pintail (Anas Acuta) is utterly spectacular. It is one of many species of waterfowl on the move as waters in the north freeze during this January cold snap. If you have not seen one yet this year you may soon if you can find an open pond near you. There are an abundant number of ducks to be found in unfrozen bodies of water during such frigid stretches of weather.
Read More
