Upstate NY – 8/26/12

I had an amazing Sunday morning of bird photography!

Red-headed Woodpecker in Upstate NY.
Juvenile Red-headed Woodpecker in Upstate NY
Early on I was taking some really long distance photos of this Sharp-shinned Hawk. While I was taking other photos, the hawk flew closer and landed on this perch right in front of me! UPDATE 3/19/14: Thanks to Ryan J Bass who commented and pointed out that this is likely a Red-shouldered Hawk, not a Sharpie. I think he is right – any other opinions? 
I really wanted to get a shot of this hawk in flight, but he flew away from me and I got this photo just as he was landing on another dead tree.
There was a pair of Green Herons about 25 in front of me. I didn’t take any photos of them because they were all in shadows…until they started hunting.
A happy, full Green Heron in upstate NY.
A Northern Flicker landed right above my head.
American Goldfinch in upstate NY.
Here’s a brighter male American Goldfinch.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird in upstate NY..
This pair of Red-headed Woodpeckers seemed to be striking a pose for me.
One last one of a Red-headed Woodpecker. What a treat to see these birds.

4 thoughts on “Upstate NY – 8/26/12”

  1. Hi Matt,

    I follow your blog quite regularly. I was searching on Google for info on birding Denning’s Point in Beacon, when I came across this post on the same page in the archives.

    Hawks can be a tricky subject, especially immature ones. I’ve seen some experienced birders get into ID tussles on the message boards. Anyway, I think the bird in the above photos is an immature Red-shouldered Hawk, not a Sharp-shinned Hawk. RSHA is often mistaken for members of the Accipiter genus based on their relative small size, when in fact they are a Buteo. Immature hawks typically have that confusing brown above, white w/streaking below with lots of variations. The standout plumage differences that I find in your photo are the blotchy thick streaking, a smudgy white eyebrow, pale face, and buffy crescents on the upper wing. The structure is also too stocky for SSHA.

    It is a tricky subject, so you may wish to get another opinion.

    Cheers,
    Ryan

    1. Ryan,

      Thanks for commenting, I wish more folks would help me with IDs. Looking at it now after your comment it seems pretty likely that it is a RSHA, I’m almost wondering what made me think Sharpie at the time? It’s been a while, so I’m not really sure. Nice to hear from you, I hope you will continue to comment. Matt

  2. Matt, glad you found it helpful. Personally, I’ve found that my experience with a bird in the field is often different than my experience with a bird in the photo.

    1. Ryan,

      I agree with that, and I was also thinking that I did this post over a year and a half ago – I’ve learned a lot since then.

      Matt

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