Snowy Owl

The great Snowy Owl irruption of this winter is winding down but I was able to get a few more shots yesterday.

Rough-legged Hawks

The Rough-Legged Hawk is a winter visitor from the Arctic that will soon be leaving our area to head back to the far north.

The hawks above are light morphs of this species and the one below is a dark morph.

Opossum

A possum digging for sunflower seeds under my bird feeders. They are such misunderstood creatures and have been around for 70 million years!   They are actually very docile (unless cornered) and have an amazing immune system.  Their body temperature is too low for them to carry the rabies virus and they are also immune to snake venom!

Polar Vortex

Frozen Lake Erie still in the grip of the polar vortex.

Red-breasted Merganser

Vineyard Sunset

American Robins

Robins feasting on apples left high on a tree all winter long.

Bald Eagles

Two Bald Eagles perched in the same tree today (possibly a mated pair).

Carolina Chickadee

Very similar to the Black-capped Chickadee, the Carolina Chickadee has a smaller more defined black bib and a noticeably different voice.  I was in Virginia for a few days and took these photos on Thursday.

Long-tailed Duck

More nice views of a Long-tailed Duck today.

Canvasback Duck

Bitter Cold Sunset

Another subzero night ahead of us.

Long-tailed Duck

Drake Long-tailed Duck in the Dunkirk Harbor.

Winter Beach

Pink Sun Pillar

Our deep freeze continues.  The air temperature was at 5° F when this photo was taken.  

Sunrise at -4°F

Eastern Coyote

According to Native American lore, the Coyote possesses mystical power and an immortal spirit.   He  is considered to be a capable trickster and healer but can cause illness or problems for those who harm or kill him.  Just look at the depth in those gorgeous eyes!  I believe they knew what they were talking about.

Winter Woods

European Starling

Before you get all negative on the European Starling, read this:  European Starlings Get a Bad Rap!

Lengthening Days

Sunrises are earlier and the sun sets later each day as Spring marches on toward us!

Handsome Mallard Drake

Frozen Lake Erie

February

"February makes a bridge, and March breaks it."  ~  George Herbert (17th century metaphysical poet) 

Belt of Venus

The "Belt of Venus" is created by pink backscattered light at sunrise or sunset.

Celebrate Imbolc!

We are at the halfway point between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox.  The spark of Spring is beginning to stir!

Northern Shrike

Attitude is Everything!

"Weakness of attitude becomes weakness of character."  ~ Albert Einstein

Warm Harbor

Warm water in the Dunkirk Harbor creates a refuge for gulls and waterfowl in the frigid weather.  The warm water is created by thermal pollution from a coal generated steam station.

Luna and Venus

The nearly new Moon and Venus put on a lovely show in the sky before sunrise this morning.

Female Northern Cardinal

Common Goldeneye

Female above and male below.

Frosted Geese

Canada Geese sleeping on ice covered Lake Erie.  The temperature was 5° F when I shot this photo.

Winter Sun

Bufflehead Duck

Ready...

Get set...

DIVE!

3° F

Rough-legged Hawk