We wrapped up October with a count of 12,897 for the month and
an overall total of 21,541 so far for the season.
On the increase this past week has been the Red-tailed Hawk, with 28 yesterday on Halloween.
(Buteo jamaicensis)
Steve Thornhill
A brave(?) Sharpie checking out a Red-tail.
Here we have a rare sighting of a Turkey Vulture actually on the Hawk Tower.
We also had our 2nd Golden Eagle of the season yesterday.
Steve Thornhill
This past week we enjoyed seeing Common Loons, this one off the pier fishing for a meal at Kiptopeke State Park.
Steve Thornhill
"Sparring Sparrows"
A White-crowned Sparrow and a White-throated Sparrow vying for lunch.
S. Thornhill
"Over the Bay"
The stark beauty of tree
shadows stretch down the slope
of the hill, while the silver bones
of an old barn gape against
the pale-blue winter sky
The high bare fingers of the
sycamore's gnarly branches
sift the wind as the season crawls
down gently from the north
Seven hawks circle above
the open field as that same
wind pushes them on south
beneath icy clouds
I watch their dance and rest
and don't tire of their weaving
through the cold air, and for a
moment I become the eighth, and tilt
one wing up and one wing down to
twist into a slow, arcing dive toward
the grass upon the frozen earth below
Some of the most amazing raptors that Anna and I saw yesterday on our afternoon excursion were of the bronze variety. I must encourage anyone visiting the Eastern Shore of VIrginia to stop in to Turner Sculpture in Onley, VA. The sculptures are truly incredible.
The past 6 weeks at Kiptopeke with this crew have been simply amazing.
I feel extremely fortunate to have had this opportunity, a huge Thank You to Brian Taber for allowing me to be this seaon's Educator, and my heartfelt Thanks to Anna Stunkel for her insight, wisdom, and patience in teaching me identification skills.
Looking forward to seeing everyone next year!
Happy Birding!
- Caroline
