Category Archives: Birds
Redtail Release
Friends, after receiving a band on his leg, this wild red tailed hawk was released from the cliff above me at Hawk Ridge. Now my flying practice is starting to produce results. My heart did a thumpy thump when he looked down at me or maybe it was the short hike downhill to get below the release site. He then pumped his magnificent wings and flew away over Lake Superior, this is the upstroke of his wing and below is an image of the down stroke. Enjoy til Tomorrow MJ
Red Tailed Hawk
Friends, this beautiful red tailed hawk is in hand at Hawk Ridge on a Saturday morning. Lots of people around so he is a little excited which is why his tongue is hanging out. They have a little tunnel on the back of their tongue which helps them to breathe better when eating or when excited. The images below show his beautiful red tail and his outline while in flight. Tomorrow i will show this bird as he is released back into the wild. til Tomorrow MJ
Hawk Lessons
Friends, these two images show the maturation of a sharp-shinned hawk. The left image is a first year chick that was hatched in June and the bottom image shows a two or three year old bird. Three dramatic changes can be compared on these birds. The first is the differences in eye color from the juvenile yellow to orange and red of more mature birds. Secondly, the vertical bars on the chest of the younger bird changes to a more horizontal barring on the mature bird. And third, the chocolate brown of the juvenile changes to a deep gray on the adult bird. That is your hawk lesson for today til Tomorrow MJ
Other Entertainment
Friends, sitting in my easy chair at Hawk Ridge is extremely entertaining for a bird person, not only is the ridge a funnel for hawks and other raptors, but other migrating birds also pass here. Like these white pelicans on their way to the southland. What a thrill! These birds in a v formation against the blue sky and warm temps this made a perfect day outdoors. Below the ridge the fall foliage is turning and the maples are very nice this time of year, below is an artistic rendition of sitting under a fall maple. til Tomorrow MJ
Broad Wings
Friends, a recent visitor to my site asked me why i was practicing bird flight photos, this image is a result of lots of practicing at Hawk Ridge. This is truly the first good flight shot of a broadwing hawk that was released back into the wild after being banded. You can see his new bracelet on his right leg. Below is a portrait taken while the bird was in hands of a educator on the ridge. you don’t want to be a frog or lizard that this bird can see. til Tomorrow MJ
A very special bird-Peregrine Falcon
Friends, not only is this a juvenile peregrine falcon, but it is a juvenile tundra peregrine that was raised in the far northland. This subspecie is smaller and lighter in plummage than the normal peregrine. Peregrines have recovered from near extinction in the 50s with the help of dedicated bird lovers. I have watched the regeneration program in Rochester Minnesota where the bluer and darker peregrines raise their chicks in nests atop the Mayo Clinic buildings. I have watched them feed their young on building ledges but i have never seen one in the wild. The experts on Hawk Ridge were quite excited to show this bird in hand and educate the public. They have survived due to the diligence of those who legislated to ban ddt, resulting in the saving of many bird species, til Tomorrow MJ
MY Goshawk
Friends, this is my goshawk that i adopted on Hawk ridge yesterday, actually my husband adopted him for me. What a thrill to hold her in my hands and release her back to her element. The banders had captured two juveniles at the same time and since there is always a competition for food in the nest, the hawks were objecting to being so close together again. This is how they plead for food from the adults, lots of screaming. When i held her she was quiet, and patiently awaited being released above the cliff over Lake Superior and flying off to hunt her own food. Below is an image of me with my bird, thanks Jimmy, til Tomorrow MJ
Monday morning coffee
Friends, this big blue heron is set on the grass background in a really high key image, nice start for a Monday morning. Having my coffee and thinking about the day. Family may come first today, but if everyone is ok, then Hawk Ridge and sitting in a camp chair in the fall sunshine might be the order of the day. I need some more hawk portraits. til Tomorrow MJ
Sandhill Details
Friends, i am showing a closeup of a greater Sandhill Crane head cause i think they are so beautiful. The Big Blue stem grass makes a great backdrop of their native habitat. Crex Meadows is a gathering place for thousands of cranes as they stop here to feed on wild rice and the farmer’s corn crops. In the evening they land on traditional roosting grounds and in the morning they fly off again for food sites. Their gurgling calls keep us company until the snow flies and the marsh freezes over, then they are off to better weather. Below image is a summer crane who is joining in the festivities. til Tomorrow MJ
Weekly Photo Challenge:Solitary
Friends, this Great Blue Heron is fishing alone . They don’t like company when they are seeking food in the lake. A solitary figure for our weekly photo theme: solitary. He stalks the shallows along the shoreline and with a quick jab catches a small fish which he swallows whole and head first. He has been in Crex all summer and i see him in the same area every day. He has some rust stains on his blue feathering from the water. til Tomorrow MJ
MJ Springett 