Common Ravens

 

Iceless Lake Erie

In 30 years of living on the Chautauqua Ridge overlooking Lake Erie, we have never seen the lake without ice this far into the winter.  Climate change is real!

 

Bald Eagle

 

Immature Mute Swan

 

Lapland Longspur

 

Horned Larks

 

Snow Buntings in Flight

 

Winter Scene on the Chautauqua Ridge

 

Ring-billed Gull

 

Tonight's Waxing Crescent Moon at 12%

 

Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored)

 

Tufted Titmouse

 

Canada Geese

 

Coyote Camouflage

 

Winter Rain

 Winter rains turn to ice and snow.

Immature Cooper's Hawk

 

Red Fox Hunting in a Snowy Field

 

Rough-legged Hawk

 

Common Ravens

 

Eastern Bluebird in a Snow Squall

Red-shouldered Hawk

 

Merlin

 

Immature Northern Goshawk

 

American Tree Sparrow

 

Northern Cardinal

 

Horned Lark

 

Immature Bald Eagle

 

White-throated Sparrows

 

Overwintering Wood Duck

 

Northern Mockingbird

Northern Shrike

 

Immature Cooper's Hawk

 

Overwintering Eastern Towhee

Eastern Towhees rarely spend the winter in Western New York.  They usually head towards Virginia and as far south as Florida for the winter.  I spotted this guy today in my local birding patch.  He is obviously trying to overwinter here and survived the wicked blizzard we had last week.  
 

American Kestrel

A male American Kestrel with his New Year's Day breakfast.

 

Tundra Swans in Flight

 

Winter Solstice Greetings!

Welcome to the most wonderful day of the year that brings us to the return of the light!

Solstice is the reason for the season!