Stoney Creek (Wintergreen) 2/19/14

All photos are © Marshall Faintich


Morning clouds cleared, and the temperature rose to 60 degrees under bright sunshine. Most of the snow melted under direct sunlight, and even shadowed areas were only at most two to three inches deep in snow. I took a short hike here, and saw mostly yard birds: Cardinals, Juncos, Sparrows, Chickadees, Titmice, Bluebirds, etc.


Pilot Mountain


Song Sparrow

As I neared the end of my hike, I saw a Turkey Vulture and another large raptor circling high over Crawford Climb. It was a Basic I sub-adult Bald Eagle. Note the extension of its juvenile flight feathers at the back of its wings.


Bald Eagle


Even Eagles have to lighten their load :-)

Then I looked up when I heard a commotion - sounded like a couple of Red-shouldered Hawks. Sure enough, one was circling above Sawmill Creek pond #3.


Juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk


Juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk

I saw motion at lower elevations and looked across the pond to see an adult and another juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk. The juvenile gained altitude, and then the first juvenile flew over me.


Juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk


Adult Red-shouldered Hawk


Juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk


Juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk



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