Friday, August 30, 2013

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Happy Birthday Roger Tory Peterson!


Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Our very own Chautauqua County native and birder extraordinaire, Roger Tory Peterson, was born 105 years ago today in Jamestown, New York.

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Northern Harrier


This is a Northern Harrier flying over a meadow along the edge of a corn field.  It landed shortly after I took this photo and was able to get a good look at it with binoculars.  Most likely a female or juvenile, the owl-like facial disc was very apparent.

Monday, August 26, 2013

"Let the rain fall down, everywhere around you!"


This juvenile Ruby-throated Hummingbird seemed to really be enjoying the rain.  It sat on the feeder preening its feathers and splashing in the raindrops as if it were taking a shower.

"You don't need a reason...



                                                                                              ...let the rain go on and on."


Sunday, August 25, 2013

American Lady Butterfly


Butterflies have been very scarce this summer but we found this American Lady in the wild peppermint patch on our property.



Monday, August 19, 2013

Saturday, August 17, 2013

House Wren


A little family of House Wrens has been out and about and very vocal in the yard for the last few days.

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Least Sandpipers


Least Sandpipers are tiny and shy little peeps but this group let me get quite close to them to take photos.


They are migrating now from their summer breeding grounds in the arctic and heading to areas as far south as Chile.


Safe travels little ones!

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Early Signs of Fall



A Common Loon fishing in Lake Flavia late this afternoon.


Heavy clouds, breezy and cool at sunset over Lake Erie.

Monday, August 12, 2013

Juvenile Baltimore Orioles


Three juvenile Baltimore Orioles were in the yard this evening.


What should have been the best shot of them in the lilies was taken through the railing on the deck.


I was definitely in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Wild Cardinal Flower


"When you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it's your world for the moment.  I want to give that world to someone else.  Most people in the city rush around so, they have no time to look at a flower.  I want them to see it whether they want to or not." ~ Georgia O'Keeffe

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Murmuration of Starlings


I'm always fascinated to see a murmuration of Starlings.  It is believed that they do this to protect themselves from raptors such as eagles and hawks.  I did see a Red-tailed Hawk soaring near this large flock of juveniles.

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

American Avocets


A trio of vagrant American Avocets showed up near the Dunkirk Harbor again today.  They have been spotted in the area several times since July 9th.  No one knows if they are the same birds, but it is possible.


Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Female Bobolink


I counted at least 46 Bobolink in a field this evening, many of which I believe were juveniles.

Monday, August 5, 2013

Wild Turkey


Three Wild Turkey hens and their poults have been regular visitors in our yard for the last several days.  They come to feed on sunflower seeds that fall to the ground from the bird feeders.  They also eat a lot of grasshoppers, grubs and other insects.

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Encore Performance

           

I've traveled quite a bit in my lifetime and must say that sunsets over the Great Lakes are some of the best I've ever seen.

Saturday, August 3, 2013

Friday, August 2, 2013

Northern Map Turtle


A young Northern Map Turtle sunning itself on a log floating in Lake Erie.


Snow Squall over Lake Erie