Crex Meadows redux - in the air

I really don't have the words to describe how magnificent these (Rough-legged) hawks are. They will soar very high looking for prey.

When they spot something promising, they stop & hover -- like a helicopter -- but without the noise.

If they need a better look, they will slowly lower themselves -- like an elevator coming down -- for a close-up check.

If it turns out to be nothing, they simply resume their soaring -- in slow circles -- going back up.

Crex Meadows redux - on the ground

Jim & I had a good time yesterday revisiting Crex Meadows. Our bird species count was low -- a few Red-tailed Hawks, a couple of Bald Eagles, a bunch of crows, and a few smaller birds I couldn't identify. The highlight, however, was the two to three dozen Rough-legged Hawks. They were in the air, in trees, and on the ground. I do not know whether they were just passing through or settling in for the winter. They are the subject of most of my posts today and tomorrow.
All of the posted pictures were taken with my XTi and Canon's 300mm f/4 lens. I am disappointed with the small size of the resulting bird images and plan to switch back to the 400mm even though I have to use it on a tripod for ultimate sharpness.

This Bald Eagle was surrounded by 8 or 10 crows -- however, the eagle did not seem to be bothered by them.
In the air shots tomorrow.

Crex Meadows remnant

This morning Jim & I drove up to Crex Meadows for a few hours of exploration. However, before posting some pictures from our trip, I want to share the remnant from my previous trip.

I did get my deer!

Pied-billed Grebe (?)

Crex Meadows - part IX

Crex Meadows - part VIII

another raptor take-off sequence

to appreciate the bird's sense for aerodynamics, look at the feet in the above sequence

one more . . .

A wonderful bird is the pelican,
His bill can hold more than his belican.
He can take in his beak
Food enough for a week;
But I'm damned if I know how the helican.
Thank you, Gail Perrizo

quotes

A good cross-over quote for my other blog -- "It ain't just the birds!"

At length did cross an Albatross,

Thorough the fog it came;

As if it had been a Christian soul,

We hailed it in God's name.

-- The Rime of The Ancient Mariner Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Crex Meadows - part VII

quotes

The several birding lists from which I receive mailings have been sharing quotes about birds. May favorite so far:
"Feed the birds and what do you get? Fat birds!"

-- from "Mary Poppins"

Earth & Solar System shots

For images of Comet Holmes taken by the Hubble space telescope, click here.

For great Bald Eagle shots taken a day or so ago in Alaska by Liz Stanley, take a look at this link.

comet Holmes update

Holmes continues to increase in size -- easy to recognize with the naked eye.
However, it is also dimmer.
Both of these shots were taken with my Canon XTi and a 400mm lens.

f/5.6, 30 sec., ISO 1600, full frame

f/5.6, 15 sec., ISO 800, cropped
The comet is not quite head-on as viewed from the Earth, and, therefore, you can see a bit of the tail off to the right of center. Some of the tail may be disconnecting -- read about it here.

Happy Birthday, Laura!

Happy birthday to Laura Erickson!
Laura has been an inspiration to me as she faced various challenges in the last year.
Click for links to her blog and web site.

Crex Meadows - part VI

hunting

SUCCESS!

Crex Meadows - part V

more Sandhills in the air

Crex Meadows - overlooked old bird

My friend (?), Les, pointed out that I had forgotten to post a picture of this old bird at Crex Meadows -- he identified it as a wild turkey!

Colder By The Lake

Colder By The Lake Birding is Mike Hendrickson's new blog -- check it out. I was unaware of it, and was going to write & ask why he wasn't updating his (old) blog. I enjoy his irreverent attitude and casual writing style. His current project, in addition to leading field trips, is The Sax-Zim Bog Birding Festival -- read about it here & plan to attend. I'm looking forward to going, but certainly have to find warmer boots & gloves.
The photo of the Northern Hawk Owl, on the right, was taken at Sax-Zim a couple of winters ago.

Crex Meadows - part IV

more Sandhills on the ground

Crex Meadows - part III

and now for a break from the cranes with this Red-tailed Hawk taking off for lunch

Crex Meadows - part II

Sandhill Cranes EVERYWHERE!!

more to follow . . .

Crex Meadows - part I

This morning Les & I headed out to the Crex Meadows Wildlife Area. The place is HUGE! Be sure to pick up a map at the Area Center. It is much better than the one you can get off their web site, simply because it is clearer & larger.
We were going to leave Circle Pines at 7 a.m. -- but then I saw on the web site that open hours on weekends started only at 10 -- so we didn't leave until after 7:30. We need not have worried -- the hours are only for the office, not entrance to the Wildlife Area.
Right from the beginning I was impressed -- in less than a half hour I saw more Sandhill Cranes than I had seen in my life time (and that's a long time).
We were also amazed by the number of raptors, which another visitor told us were migrating through the area.
I'm impressed by Crex Meadows for a number of reasons. First, it is a large protected area with varied habitat. Second, the roads are generally very good (if you stay off the one lane trails, for which I would recommend 4-wheel drive) -- many are even paved. Also, the roads are generally higher than the surroundings, giving one a good view -- and they are well marked. I'm anxious to return, particularly in the Spring.
I'll be posting more pictures in the next several days, as I edit them. I'm estimating I took about 850 shots. The ones below are of Sandhill Cranes.

P.S. You should have come with us, Luther!

Holmes update

These shots were taken about 8:30 p.m. tonight. Both were with a Canon XTi -- additional details are below each picture.

The Comet appears to be less bright than a week ago, but much larger.
Tomorrow I'm going with Les to Crex Meadows in Wisconsin; hopefully we'll bring back some bird pictures.

300mm lens, f/4.0, 30 sec., ISO 400, about a 50% crop

Celestron 8" telescope, 2000mm, f/10, 30 sec., ISO 800, full frame