Saturday 1/17/15

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~A Northern Harrier cruises by my blind, Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge, 1/17/15.~

The big news this week was the eBird report of a Snowy Owl at the Liberty Marsh in Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge on Wednesday 1/14/15. I, of course, spent Thursday and Friday evenings after work going for the bird, but with no luck. I left the house this morning with the Snowy Owl being the most important bird on my mind. I did some running around in the Black Dirt and even followed a lead that took me to Chester, NY but had no luck with the Snowy. The Chester bird was likely a leucistic Red-tailed Hawk; I saw photos from the couple that had given me the lead, and I got a very distant look at the bird through my scope. I would like to get back there to get a better look one of these days.

In the afternoon I decide to just try for some photos, so I headed to the Shawangunk Grasslands NWR. The north blind that is furthest out was free, so I spent the afternoon shooting raptors. I love spending time in the blinds out there; you can get such great looks at the birds.

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~This one made me happy. Rough-legged Hawk in the Black Dirt, 1/17/15.~
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~Adult Bald Eagle in the Black Dirt, 1/17/15.~
~I was sitting in the blind thinking that it would be nice if a Red-tailed Hawk would fly towards me rather than away. Moments later this bird flew in. Red-tailed Hawk at Shawankgunk Grasslands NWR, 1/17/15.~
~I was sitting in the blind thinking that it would be nice if a Red-tailed Hawk would fly towards me rather than away. Moments later this bird flew in. Red-tailed Hawk at Shawankgunk Grasslands NWR, 1/17/15.~
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~The harriers were pretty active today at the grasslands. Northern Harrier at the Shawangunk Grasslands, 1/17/15~
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~Northern Harrier at the Shawangunk Grasslands NWR, 1/17/15.~
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~I was happy with how this photo turned out. Northern Harrier just before sunset at the Shawangunk Grasslands NWR, 1/17/15.~
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~The Short-eared Owls got up pretty early today, just after 4:00 pm. None came close enough to my blind for photos while the light was still good. I took this one just as I was preparing to head back to the car. Short-eared Owl at the Shawangunk Grasslands NWR, 1/17/15.~
~A deer checks things out at the Shawangunk Grasslands, 1/17/15.~
~A deer checks things out at the Shawangunk Grasslands, 1/17/15.~

10 thoughts on “Saturday 1/17/15”

  2. Scrolling through now that my machine’s running again; have missed a lot! Love the sunset harrier and the merlin on a wire. As usual, really enjoyed the artistic hand you bring to your shots. Nice summary of your stats. Yep, each year it gets harder to find lifers, but I’d bet we’re on the same page as far as enjoying the sight of even “regular” birds, just to enjoy seeing them and to know that they’re still surviving. It’s interesting to see how species and their numbers fluctuate over the years. Just one example, used to see evening grosbeaks at the feeder in large numbers when I was a kid, but now they’re rare. Relish the times outdoors and all that you see, and keep on shooting those beautiful images!

    1. Thanks so much Marianne, glad you like the photos. It’s always great to just get out and see any kind of birds/nature but I sometimes need to remind myself when I get hung up on trying to find something new and exciting. Evening Grosbeak would be a life bird for me, by the way. Matt

  4. i love that last Harrier picture. The light is beautiful! I also love that Birch stand at the Grasslands. Makes a great backdrop for the deer.Thanks for sharing your beautiful work. Haven’t seen the Owls yet this year, maybe next week.

    1. Kathy,

      I love that last Harrier pic too, it’s my favorite of the post, and I cropped that deer shot like that just because of the Birches! Good luck if you go for the owls.

      Matt

  5. I thought “novice” was no longer in your blog title! I wouldn’t know what to call myself then…

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