Winter birds 2013

     Technically, it's not quite winter yet.  Another 9 days of fall will elapse before we head into the deep chill here in the northeast.  However, with snow on the ground and temps in the 20's, it sure feels like winter regardless of what the calendar says.  We've had a surge of Snowy owls throughout this part of the country this year adding to the wintery aura, and I decided to head over to one of my favorite spots for locating a number of owl species…..Great horned, Long-eared, Short-eared, Barred, and Eastern screech.  Several years ago, a Snowy appeared on the same site, the land fill of Croton Point Park.  I'd hoped to get another look, but alas, there were no owls to be found on this day.  I did find one species of thrush which is known to be a late (very late) migrant, the Hermit thrush.  He was most cooperative and was easy to photograph from the warmth and comfort of my RAV4.

 

      Winter ducks, the Buffleheads, were also on site to add to the portfolio as were a number of quite vocal American crows.

       When I think back to all the "winter birds" we've had over the years, it reminds me of what an exciting season this is up in this part of the country.  It's the main reason we don't head south until the winter is well under way.  I' put together a short slide show set to the beautiful music of Tim Story.  I took one photograph for each day from December 1st through January14 when we usually vacate the cold winds of winter and migrate south to the warmer climes of Florida.  Each day is represented by one image I captured on that day over the course of 7 years.  I'd like to share this with you as kind of an early Christmas present from me to you.  Rather than try to upload it in it's entirety here on the Blog, I'll direct you to the site where I've posted it on YouTube.  I hope you enjoy it.  Have a blessed holiday season!

         To view my "Images of Winter" click on .youtu.be/XH355_VCX_k