Heinz NRW

I had no idea it has been so long since my last post, but chalk that up to the busyness of September and October.

I have begun my late Fall sojourn in Philadelphia. First trip was today to Heinz NRW. A few images ...

In one area, I had 12 Great Blue Herons in the glass, but at a distance. This one was foraging closer to the trail.

Great Blue Heron

Downy Woodpecker

I know some folk in Vermont that would love to happen upon a sight like this in mid-November. He just stood still, studying me as I ogled back at him.

White Tailed Deer - buck

A few butterflies and dragonflies were still about. This Variegated Fritillary was close at hand.

Variegated Fritillary

Gray Catbird

 The Peregrine Falcon attracted a lot attention from birders and crows. One crow stood guard, loudly telling the entire neighborhood that the falcon was nearby and stay on the alert.

Peregrine Falcon

Good Birding!!

Peregrine Falcons - Pretzel Park, Philadelphia

I returned on a bright clear afternoon to Pretzel Park in the Manayunk section of Philadelphia where a pair of Peregrine Falcons are preparing to nest for a second year in the tower of St. John the Baptist RCC. A few images ...

Arriving at the Park, both birds were flying overhead and making plenty of noise. On the top of the transmission tower, they were even noisier as they copulated ...

Peregrine Falcons about to mate - Note: both birds are banded

He then went off, presumably to hunt, while she waited in the steeple tower ...

Peregrine female - tower of St. John the Baptist

Then off she flew for another transmission tower rendezvous ...

It was interesting to observe the almost inverted position of the female as they mated ...

During their copulation, the size difference between the male and female (she is about 1/3 larger) was evident. It was also evident as he flew off (presumably with a smile) ...

Male Peregrine Falcon flies off after mating

Littered on the streets near the park, are the remains of their successful foraging among the urban bird population ...

European Starling

Rock Pigeon

 Good Birding!!

Peregrine Falcon - Philadelphia

I continue to be surprised by the birding one can have in a major city. In Philadelphia last year, a Peregrine Falcon pair nested in the tower of St. Joseph's Church which faces Pretzel Park (locally known as the dog park) in an old residential neighbor adjoining the old industrial area of Manayunk. I was not in Philadelphia during their nesting last year.

My daughter alerted me to the falcons' return to the park and church tower, and their apparent intention to set up housekeeping for a second year.

In the bitter cold and wind this morning, I made the short trek to the park.Signs of the falcons' presence were littered through the park - feathers and carcasses of various birds - hopefully mostly from starlings and pigeons.

I only had to wait a short time before one of the falcons flew to the top of a nearby electrical transmission tower and ate a meal - unfortunately backlit, so no photos of the repast.

The falcons perched near one another on the church tower, feathers puffed against the bitter cold.

Here are the first adequate images of a bird that has, until now, avoided coming close to my lens. Hopefully, even better images will follow ...

Peregrine Falcons - Philadelphia

The individual in the following photo was probably grooming and doing feather maintenance, but the photo makes it look like he/she is doing something with its leg band (admiring it? adjusting it? trying to remove it?)

Good Birding!!

Cape May Birds of Prey

The Cape May Fall Out on October 29 and 30 produced a smorgasbord for hawks. The small birds were everywhere, and the hawks were after them. One person I met started the day by seeing a kestrel at one end of a power line feeding on a yellow-rump, and a Merlin on the other end feeding on a yellow-rump. I was glad I did not have a feather in my hat, lest a sharpie or coops mistake me for food. A couple of sharpies came so close on their dive that I almost felt the rush of air as they dove after prey.

Cape May is one of the premier hawk watch and count sites in the world. Thousands of raptors pass over the watch tower every year. Almost every place I went, I saw birds of prey.

They are not easy birds to photograph, but on those couple of October days, I had many opportunities to practice. Here are a few images.

Red-tailed Hawk

Peregrine Falcon

Northern Harrier - juvenile

Bald Eagle - second year

Sharp-shinned Hawk - juvenile with full crop

Northern Harrier

Good birding!

Birding at Brigantine

This past Monday was delightfully sunny and mild, making for a pleasant stop at the Brigantine Unit of Forsyth NWR just north of Atlantic City. Started the morning with a Clapper Rail venturing out (sort of) from the grasses. Wish I had the time to hang around for hours like the photographer we met, but this photo is at least recognizable.


Another highlight was this Peregrine Falcon on the Osprey perch. Digiscoping the falcon was hampered by the wind, but again, at least passable.


Savananah Sparrows were moving everywhere, and this one gave me a great view. More often, they pop up from the grasses, fly low, then drop and disappear.


Snowy Egret

More from Putney Mountain

Early yesterday morning the clouds lingered in the West River Valley, but the view still extended as far as Stratton, with the fall colors being rich beneath the moist gray sky.


Only a few hawks were flying, but they were low. Their passage over the ridge was leisurely and we had some good looks, as with this morning Cooper's Hawk.


In the afternoon, against a clearing sky the third Peregrine Falcon to pass over not only provided all of the classic flight profile and characteristics, but was close enough to see its "sideburn."


Large numbers of sparrows, towhees, and brush loving warblers have been moving through, but getting a decent look has been difficult. This White-throated Sparrow finally stayed still long enough for a photograph.


Eastern Towhees have been even more elusive. Their "zwink" call has been common, but most often the only sighting has been a flash of tail feather as they cross a path, or mostly hidden glimpses as they rustle through the underbrush. Yesterday, one finally stood still long enough for this photo:

Then it moved into the open and stayed there while I burned up the memory card. Good Birding!