Heckuva Day, 02/08/20

As I was heading out this morning, I drove along 6 1/2 Station Road Sanctuary, and I saw in the distance a pair of Red-tailed Hawks perched in a tree. They were about 15 feet apart, and in the perfect early morning light the difference between the larger female and the smaller male was quite obvious. It was a beautiful image, and for some reason I took this as an omen that it was going to be a good day.

~ It’s still hard for me to believe that we are getting to see a GOLDEN EAGLE on a somewhat regular basis right now. GOEA in the black dirt, 02/08/20.~

Every once in a while you have a day where things fall into place. It started with a GREAT-HORNED OWL on a nice perch, sunning itself. Add to that several flocks of Snow Geese moving around the black dirt. The icing on the cake was a relatively low flyover by the GOLDEN EAGLE that has been in the area. Getting a better look and photos of this bird was my main goal today, so that was awesome. As the morning ended and crept into the afternoon, things slowed down, but still, I was happy to find a cooperative Red-tailed Hawk on a wire, a bunch of vultures on a deer carcass (not for everyone, but I love those birds and find them very photogenic), and a couple thousand Common Mergansers at Greenwood Lake. Heckuva day for sure.

~Snow Geese in the black dirt, 02/08/20.~
~Black Vulture enjoying a meal. Warwick NY, 02/08/20.~
~GREAT-HORNED OWL sunning itself at an undisclosed location, 02/08/20.~
~I’m not usually a big fan of birds on a wire, but it’s been a while since I’ve taken a Red-tailed Hawk photo. Black Dirt, 02/08/20.
~Beautifully ugly bird. Turkey Vulture in Warwick, 02/08/20.~
~One more shot of the GOLDEN EAGLE. I know I definitely shouldn’t complain, but the light was tough for pics of this bird. Black dirt, 02/08/20.~

12 thoughts on “Heckuva Day, 02/08/20”

  1. I enjoyed reading about your day Matt. I hope to see that golden eagle too!

    Maryangela

  3. Fabulous photos and description. I especially like the photo of the snow geese – it reminds me of a thousand origami cranes, which the Japanese traditionally believe to grant one’s wish if s/he folded 1,000 paper cranes. I agree that vultures are photogenic!

    1. Thanks so much Norma. I’d never heard that about 1,000 origami cranes, that’s very interesting and I can see how the Snow Geese would remind you of it. Matt

  4. You had a great day. Got the razorbill at Manasquan inlet this afternoon. It was close for great photos

    1. Razorbill, a very cool bird and one of my favorites. It seems like it’s been a good year for them with many reports. Matt

  6. Great shots as usual. Had long earred owl, Eurasian Widgeon, and razorbill yesterday. Had great looks at a Barred today in the Great Swamp .

    1. I had my first look at a Barred Owl at the Great Swamp. That’s a good couple of days for you. Matt

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