My friend has a very large walnut tree near his backyard. The crows will pick the walnuts and fly over and near his house to drop the walnuts in the road. The crows are hoping to get cars to smash the walnuts. Some of the very smart crows will wait on the side of the road and watch the action of the hit or miss action of the car tires. Some of the crows will nudge the walnut to another position if the car tire misses the walnut.
However, you will never see a crow get hit by a car or a dead crow on the road. Here is what is happening. There is always a crow that acts as a Sargent-of the guard, and is always perched on high, as on a telephone pole or wires acting as a lookout. And every time a car comes near, the guard screams— Karrr Kaarrr karrr!
.
Sunday, April 29, 2018
On Trump
Did you see the video or the photograph of Trump being kissed on the cheek by that French President? Trump was visibly shook-up. And I can understand why. When the Frenchman kissed Trump, he whispered in Trump’s ear, “ later on, I will kiss you in another place.”
Friday, April 27, 2018
The Okanogan
There was a report on a birding listserve of a birder in the Okanogan. A raptor was circling behind and over trees. Then the bird went away, then the bird was observed again. Finally the hawk went to perch; and finally the hawk was identified as a NG.
The birder was very happy. I am happy for the birder. It was years ago that I bumped into Patric Sullivan in the field for the first and only time. We exchanged a sentence or three. I asked Patric about his GOSHAWK license plate. Patric informed me— the Okanogan has many goshawks.
What would be the outcome if that hawk did not go to perch? Then you would have — You’ve seen goshawks; your friends have seen goshawks; your neighbors have seen goshawks.
Birders are not hawkwatchers. Most of them never will become hawkwatchers. It is too much of another dicipline; too much of a leap of faith.
The thought— North Korea’s answer to Glen Beck!
Kim-Jong-un.
The birder was very happy. I am happy for the birder. It was years ago that I bumped into Patric Sullivan in the field for the first and only time. We exchanged a sentence or three. I asked Patric about his GOSHAWK license plate. Patric informed me— the Okanogan has many goshawks.
What would be the outcome if that hawk did not go to perch? Then you would have — You’ve seen goshawks; your friends have seen goshawks; your neighbors have seen goshawks.
Birders are not hawkwatchers. Most of them never will become hawkwatchers. It is too much of another dicipline; too much of a leap of faith.
The thought— North Korea’s answer to Glen Beck!
Kim-Jong-un.
Thursday, April 26, 2018
I am not
I am not the smartest person in my neighborhood; hawkwatching is not rocket science. I am not an educated person. What I say is not that important. But I do know which end of a pair of binoculars is the eyepiece— Mr. www.pokergo.com!
Wednesday, April 25, 2018
Cooper’s no affinity for sky
Cooper’s hawk—CH— during non- migration times do not take to the sky. Definition— sky is about 20 feet over the tallest tree that is in the area, the tallest tree that could be in the area. The CH knows at what height could be the tallest tree. Just amagine an elevation of 100 feet and add 20 more feet. A CH might circle about the tallest trees, but will put down right into the area in which it is circling. In other words, a CH is a sneaky bird and will nearly always travel in a straight line. This raptor is all business-like, and will kill just for the thrill of killing, not necessarily to eat. I say a CH certainly prefers to be in the air but not in the sky— only during migration. So know the CH migration schedule and add a fudge-factor of 2 weeks. This concept will occur as the CH is on its home base, meaning where it nests and where it migrates.
What is the takeaway of this post? My detractors will certainly try and prove me wrong. And I may be wrong as I do not know the behavior of CH in areas such as The Carolinas. If there is a large enough sample of information and I am thought to be 90 percent accurate, then actually I am 100 percent wrong!
Now, I know what some of you are thinking. When you reach that prominent point on that ridge line or mountain top, let us say 900 feet elevation, and you come upon a CH, how did that hawk get there. That hawk did not leave its perch and take to the sky, by climbing and-or soaring, from its perch— let us say, 1 mile from the mountain top. Then the hawk would reach an altitude of 900 feet and level off and proceed to your position. Here is how that CH arrived on that mountain top— it followed the tree tops! Or it snuck through the trees. If the terrain was barren, the hawk followed the contour of the side of the mountain. All the time sticking about 100 feet or less to the terrain or to the terrain of the top’s of the trees.
There will be a group of birders who will try and determine if my concerns are accurate, or how accurate are my contentions. So, if I am correct in my observations, and I am in my many years of hawking all year long, but my observation might not be your observations, then birders will have an easy out when it comes to accipiter evaluation. However, this is an improper thought! You should never say- think; that accipiter in the sky is not a CH because CH do not have an affinity for the sky during non-migration times. You must always put into words what you are observing. You must always define what you are observing. As an aside— you should never reason— that accipiter in the sky in Thackersville, Oklahoma is not a Northern Goshawk because the range maps show that that hawk should not be here. Please understand, a range map does not identify a bird. Please understand, range maps are inaccurate when it comes to Nortern Goshawks. Specifically, resident NG can be observed in many areas of Southern California, S.E. Arizona, and many areas of eastern Texas!
For many years in my field notes and my writing, I would use the term— elevation of bird, EOB. Now I know that that is not the proper word. The word should have been, altitude of bird. Altitude refers to an object that is not attached to the earth. Elevation refers to a terrain feature, above sea level.
This little post will certainly lead into one of my pet peeves— Don’t cop out on me; Don’t cop out on yourself. When you use a range map to define what you are observing, you are copping out on me. And this will lead into another subject— birders are too habitat conscious.
One more thought, to back-track. That CH in that ridge line. Can’t the hawk just jump off the mountain top, start flapping and drifting and level off to soar and travel a distance of about one-half mile away from the base off the mountain? I say no. The hawk will descend from the ridge line by following the the contour of the terrain which is also the terrain of the tree tops.
So what does this post really mean? Well, you could say this post has very little meaning, and I will agree. This post should impact upon what you perceive in the air-sky. The best to all of you— not just your top part or bottom part, but all of you.
What is the takeaway of this post? My detractors will certainly try and prove me wrong. And I may be wrong as I do not know the behavior of CH in areas such as The Carolinas. If there is a large enough sample of information and I am thought to be 90 percent accurate, then actually I am 100 percent wrong!
Now, I know what some of you are thinking. When you reach that prominent point on that ridge line or mountain top, let us say 900 feet elevation, and you come upon a CH, how did that hawk get there. That hawk did not leave its perch and take to the sky, by climbing and-or soaring, from its perch— let us say, 1 mile from the mountain top. Then the hawk would reach an altitude of 900 feet and level off and proceed to your position. Here is how that CH arrived on that mountain top— it followed the tree tops! Or it snuck through the trees. If the terrain was barren, the hawk followed the contour of the side of the mountain. All the time sticking about 100 feet or less to the terrain or to the terrain of the top’s of the trees.
There will be a group of birders who will try and determine if my concerns are accurate, or how accurate are my contentions. So, if I am correct in my observations, and I am in my many years of hawking all year long, but my observation might not be your observations, then birders will have an easy out when it comes to accipiter evaluation. However, this is an improper thought! You should never say- think; that accipiter in the sky is not a CH because CH do not have an affinity for the sky during non-migration times. You must always put into words what you are observing. You must always define what you are observing. As an aside— you should never reason— that accipiter in the sky in Thackersville, Oklahoma is not a Northern Goshawk because the range maps show that that hawk should not be here. Please understand, a range map does not identify a bird. Please understand, range maps are inaccurate when it comes to Nortern Goshawks. Specifically, resident NG can be observed in many areas of Southern California, S.E. Arizona, and many areas of eastern Texas!
For many years in my field notes and my writing, I would use the term— elevation of bird, EOB. Now I know that that is not the proper word. The word should have been, altitude of bird. Altitude refers to an object that is not attached to the earth. Elevation refers to a terrain feature, above sea level.
This little post will certainly lead into one of my pet peeves— Don’t cop out on me; Don’t cop out on yourself. When you use a range map to define what you are observing, you are copping out on me. And this will lead into another subject— birders are too habitat conscious.
One more thought, to back-track. That CH in that ridge line. Can’t the hawk just jump off the mountain top, start flapping and drifting and level off to soar and travel a distance of about one-half mile away from the base off the mountain? I say no. The hawk will descend from the ridge line by following the the contour of the terrain which is also the terrain of the tree tops.
So what does this post really mean? Well, you could say this post has very little meaning, and I will agree. This post should impact upon what you perceive in the air-sky. The best to all of you— not just your top part or bottom part, but all of you.
Sunday, April 22, 2018
An interesting question
When I first arrived in Williamsport, PA is that when the goshawks first arrived? It is possible but not likely.
When I first arrived in Coastal Bend Texas, Rockport, is that when the goshawks first arrived? It is possible but not likely.
When I first arrived in Tucson, is that when the goshawks first arrived? It is possible but not likely.
When I first arrived in San Diego, is that when the goshawks first arrived? It is possible but not likely.
When I arrived in Anacortes and Deception Pass, is that when the goshawks first arrived? It is possible but not likely.
I resided in northern Hunterdon County, New Jersey for 25 years, was that when the goshawks first arrived?
Certainly not! It was not until the early 1990’s that there was a goshawk invasion into northern Hunterdon County. This is about 19 years after I arrived.
Now I have a better question. Forget about me. When the Cooper’s hawks started to invade the cities and suburbs, is that when the Northern Goshawks started to follow?!
When I first arrived in Coastal Bend Texas, Rockport, is that when the goshawks first arrived? It is possible but not likely.
When I first arrived in Tucson, is that when the goshawks first arrived? It is possible but not likely.
When I first arrived in San Diego, is that when the goshawks first arrived? It is possible but not likely.
When I arrived in Anacortes and Deception Pass, is that when the goshawks first arrived? It is possible but not likely.
I resided in northern Hunterdon County, New Jersey for 25 years, was that when the goshawks first arrived?
Certainly not! It was not until the early 1990’s that there was a goshawk invasion into northern Hunterdon County. This is about 19 years after I arrived.
Now I have a better question. Forget about me. When the Cooper’s hawks started to invade the cities and suburbs, is that when the Northern Goshawks started to follow?!
Red goshawks
My definition of a red goshawk is one that has a chest, belly, and under wing coverts of red, or red orange. If you think accipiter identification was difficult before— now it is even more difficult. I have observed NG with red on the chest and I call these raptors NG with a red chest.
Here are most of my sightings. All sightings were of raptors in flight. At Costco in Tucson, on Grant, female. There were many sightings of male and female, and sightings were over a period of five years. Was it the same birds, no. How many actual red NG were there? I do not know. In Goodyear— one male.
In Anacortes,WA, many sightings of male, and female over a period of about five years.
In Texas— Rockport, winter 2002-03. Three or four sightings of female, one sighting on the Christmas bird count. One sighting in Bacliff, a female. At Berry Springs Preserve in Georgetown, one female.
Now for some details of Rockport. I was staying at Lagoon’s RV Park, very near the huge Baptist Church. It was in the parking lot when I happened to meet aquatic biologist Wilson J Tarkington, who happened to live just across the street. Jay was starting to learn raptor identification. He did have a good understanding of Peregrine Falcons and Red- shouldered hawks.
At another point in time, I was hawking in and around Wall-Mart and I bumped into Jay as he was leaving the store, as he had been placing educational posters in the store. I asked him if he would care to do some hawking. We were now standing on the front side of the building on the long area of grass. The side of the building was bright white, with sunlight reflecting off the white, cement brick wall. A large raptor smashed into the very top of the wall as if to pin prey. We saw no feathers fly. The hawk pushed of the wall with its wings and legs, and did not appear to be injured, as it turned and flew in the direction it had come. The hawk was an NG and female and clearly showed red vermiculation on chest and belly.
Then we went to a small pond very near my RV park. There was a perched raptor that went down into the brambles. We waited out the hawk. About ten minutes later the hawk lifted and flew directly over the RV park, probably over my rig. At first I thought the hawk was Cooper’s. However five minutes later, I realized it was a female NG. We went to my rig to have a snack. As Jay was leaving to walk home, he pointed into the sky. There was a female NG at about one- hundred or more feet altitude. Then at 4 pm., over a recreational field near the RV park, was a female NG traveling through.
In Kemah, l observed male and female NG. There may be four female NG in Kemah. I did have a sighting of a female with a red chest.
Also, while in Tucson, I contacted, Michael Ingraldi, reasearch biologist, Ph.D. Michael told me he was at an NG nest in Heber, AZ. There he observed an NG with a red chest and belly. This hawk could not be trapped!
.
Here are most of my sightings. All sightings were of raptors in flight. At Costco in Tucson, on Grant, female. There were many sightings of male and female, and sightings were over a period of five years. Was it the same birds, no. How many actual red NG were there? I do not know. In Goodyear— one male.
In Anacortes,WA, many sightings of male, and female over a period of about five years.
In Texas— Rockport, winter 2002-03. Three or four sightings of female, one sighting on the Christmas bird count. One sighting in Bacliff, a female. At Berry Springs Preserve in Georgetown, one female.
Now for some details of Rockport. I was staying at Lagoon’s RV Park, very near the huge Baptist Church. It was in the parking lot when I happened to meet aquatic biologist Wilson J Tarkington, who happened to live just across the street. Jay was starting to learn raptor identification. He did have a good understanding of Peregrine Falcons and Red- shouldered hawks.
At another point in time, I was hawking in and around Wall-Mart and I bumped into Jay as he was leaving the store, as he had been placing educational posters in the store. I asked him if he would care to do some hawking. We were now standing on the front side of the building on the long area of grass. The side of the building was bright white, with sunlight reflecting off the white, cement brick wall. A large raptor smashed into the very top of the wall as if to pin prey. We saw no feathers fly. The hawk pushed of the wall with its wings and legs, and did not appear to be injured, as it turned and flew in the direction it had come. The hawk was an NG and female and clearly showed red vermiculation on chest and belly.
Then we went to a small pond very near my RV park. There was a perched raptor that went down into the brambles. We waited out the hawk. About ten minutes later the hawk lifted and flew directly over the RV park, probably over my rig. At first I thought the hawk was Cooper’s. However five minutes later, I realized it was a female NG. We went to my rig to have a snack. As Jay was leaving to walk home, he pointed into the sky. There was a female NG at about one- hundred or more feet altitude. Then at 4 pm., over a recreational field near the RV park, was a female NG traveling through.
In Kemah, l observed male and female NG. There may be four female NG in Kemah. I did have a sighting of a female with a red chest.
Also, while in Tucson, I contacted, Michael Ingraldi, reasearch biologist, Ph.D. Michael told me he was at an NG nest in Heber, AZ. There he observed an NG with a red chest and belly. This hawk could not be trapped!
.
Saturday, April 21, 2018
Pit fall hi power optics
High power optics can cause strain on your mind and eye(s). And might lead to a head ache. Hi power optics will limit your field of view more so than let us say 8x binos. And certainly will limit your field of view compared to naked eye.
While on a hawkwatching site it is best to use naked eye often. One playful maneuver is to go naked eye— then quickly raise binos when spotting a raptor. Try to identify the hawk within three seconds. Whether you can identify the hawk or not, continue the exercise of raising and lowering the binos. This exercise will also help you to raise the optics rapidly. This exercise will help you to understand or appreciate the size of raptors. If you constantly observe a raptor with just a scope or binos, you will not appreciate the size of the hawk. The more powerful the optics the less you will understand the size of the raptor! Also, optics can compromise your ability to judge distances. Well, what does that matter. Well, it does not matter at all! It is just an exercise! Albeit, an interesting exercise.
In very few cases, you might have to determine the distance to the bird in order size the bird. But, in nearly every other case— in the East and on Puget Sound, every species is unique. In Puget Sound and the East can be found the most unique hawks— the NG; the Harrier; and the Osprey. The NG is very easy to identify— when in the sky— and more of this later. As I have said, the size of a raptor does not matter. The size of a raptor is an inherent part of the bird. A bird makes its own size. Size does not make the bird. But possibly size does make the bird. Better yet, both situations are correct.
Let me clarify—make— in this paragraph has two meanings. Size does not make the bird— means size does not nail or identify the species. What I am saying is there is no such thing as a large, Cooper’s hawk, or a monster Cooper’s hawk, or a really big Cooper’s hawk. Alright, maybe there are some large Cooper’s hawks. But what are the odds? One in one-thousand? I say a Cooper’s hawk is a Cooper’s hawk. Now if a birder only has experiences observing only male Cooper’s hawks, which to me is inconceivable, then the female Cooper’s hawk will become— a large Cooper’s hawk.
I will cover size does not matter, later.
The thought— Bernie Sanders; the carpenter who lost his level.
While on a hawkwatching site it is best to use naked eye often. One playful maneuver is to go naked eye— then quickly raise binos when spotting a raptor. Try to identify the hawk within three seconds. Whether you can identify the hawk or not, continue the exercise of raising and lowering the binos. This exercise will also help you to raise the optics rapidly. This exercise will help you to understand or appreciate the size of raptors. If you constantly observe a raptor with just a scope or binos, you will not appreciate the size of the hawk. The more powerful the optics the less you will understand the size of the raptor! Also, optics can compromise your ability to judge distances. Well, what does that matter. Well, it does not matter at all! It is just an exercise! Albeit, an interesting exercise.
In very few cases, you might have to determine the distance to the bird in order size the bird. But, in nearly every other case— in the East and on Puget Sound, every species is unique. In Puget Sound and the East can be found the most unique hawks— the NG; the Harrier; and the Osprey. The NG is very easy to identify— when in the sky— and more of this later. As I have said, the size of a raptor does not matter. The size of a raptor is an inherent part of the bird. A bird makes its own size. Size does not make the bird. But possibly size does make the bird. Better yet, both situations are correct.
Let me clarify—make— in this paragraph has two meanings. Size does not make the bird— means size does not nail or identify the species. What I am saying is there is no such thing as a large, Cooper’s hawk, or a monster Cooper’s hawk, or a really big Cooper’s hawk. Alright, maybe there are some large Cooper’s hawks. But what are the odds? One in one-thousand? I say a Cooper’s hawk is a Cooper’s hawk. Now if a birder only has experiences observing only male Cooper’s hawks, which to me is inconceivable, then the female Cooper’s hawk will become— a large Cooper’s hawk.
I will cover size does not matter, later.
The thought— Bernie Sanders; the carpenter who lost his level.
Monday, April 16, 2018
E- bird OJ Airline
Well, what do ya’ll think of e-bird and Cornell Labs now, now that they are trying to expunge information from your observation goals, of observing specific species of birds? So e-bird is going to squelch information of Gyr Falcons, Condors, and Eurasian Kestrels.
I will certainly post of my sightings of remarkable birds and birds such as Gyr Falcons. However, I will not post of possible nesting situations or actual nests.
Sometimes I wish to call the people at e-bird— The boys and girls at e-bird, and sometimes use the term— The boys and girls at Cornell Labs.
What is e-bird trying to prove? That they have higher values than do you? That they are the leaders of what is right and wrong?
Do you remember that airline that went beyond the implications of the functions of what is an airline, when they interjected and stuck their nose into the debate (there is no debate! And probably never will be!) on the proliferation and manufacting of guns and rifles? I say that airline stuck its neck out, and for what? The downside of their outcry would significantly outshine the benefits of their action.
What in the world would be the benefits of their action, more business, more travelers, more freight deliveries? How would that airline induce more people to travel— when the subject is about guns and murders by guns? What does that have to do with the operation of an airline? Oh, I get it now. If one airline outshines another airline, by showing more sympathy toward youngsters who were gunned down....
On the OJ trial— remember the glove? If the glove fit OJ what does that mean— signify?
What if the glove does not fit— that is not the converse of the glove fitting— the hand. In either case the glove is not significant! But if the glove does not fit! It certainly has a psychological impact. It shouldn’t but it certainly did. So the prosecution did not put weight on the two glove fitting outcomes.
The prosecution screwed up— as did the airline— as did e-bird and Cornell Labs!
I will certainly post of my sightings of remarkable birds and birds such as Gyr Falcons. However, I will not post of possible nesting situations or actual nests.
Sometimes I wish to call the people at e-bird— The boys and girls at e-bird, and sometimes use the term— The boys and girls at Cornell Labs.
What is e-bird trying to prove? That they have higher values than do you? That they are the leaders of what is right and wrong?
Do you remember that airline that went beyond the implications of the functions of what is an airline, when they interjected and stuck their nose into the debate (there is no debate! And probably never will be!) on the proliferation and manufacting of guns and rifles? I say that airline stuck its neck out, and for what? The downside of their outcry would significantly outshine the benefits of their action.
What in the world would be the benefits of their action, more business, more travelers, more freight deliveries? How would that airline induce more people to travel— when the subject is about guns and murders by guns? What does that have to do with the operation of an airline? Oh, I get it now. If one airline outshines another airline, by showing more sympathy toward youngsters who were gunned down....
On the OJ trial— remember the glove? If the glove fit OJ what does that mean— signify?
What if the glove does not fit— that is not the converse of the glove fitting— the hand. In either case the glove is not significant! But if the glove does not fit! It certainly has a psychological impact. It shouldn’t but it certainly did. So the prosecution did not put weight on the two glove fitting outcomes.
The prosecution screwed up— as did the airline— as did e-bird and Cornell Labs!
Saturday, April 14, 2018
About hawking
Observing perched raptors is not hawkwatching. My definition of observing perched raptors is — birding for hawks. Well, birding for hawks is a small part of hawkwatching, about ten percent. These are two different disciplines.
Hawkwatching
I do not care to observe perched raptors. A perched raptor is a dead animal, a stuffed animal.
I want to see a raptor in the sky, showing all its glory.
A perched raptor is, “Faded Glory.”
I want to see a raptor in the sky, showing all its glory.
A perched raptor is, “Faded Glory.”
Friday, April 13, 2018
on photographs
This blog will contain only a few photos— and they will only be mine. I will not analyze my photos for you. If I observe your photos, I will not analyze your photos for you, but I will try and name the species. And that can be difficult, even with two photos of the same hawk. In fact two photos can be more difficult than just one photo. This idea is similar to getting to close to a bird, meaning the closer you get beyond reason, the more information you can receive, and that can lead to confusion.
I am not a photographer. I don’t have an expensive camera— never will. I will not photograph a Cooper’s hawk, Merlin, or Peregrine— unless the hawk is remarkable. If a goshawk is far away I will not even raise my camera. I am set in my ways. I can be a crusty ol’ man. This is why I don’t go on field trips. I have changed my way of operating— I don’t carry binos, but they are always near me if I am in the car. I am interested in verification photographs.
Poor photographs can contain valuable information. You should never think of your photos as being of poor quality. I urge you— do not trash your old photographs— even blurred photographs. Also, it is possible that your photographs have not been properly analyzed— another reason not to destroy your photographs. Many field- trip leaders and advanced birders do not understand how to identify raptors in flight. Therefore, thinking along these same lines, they may produce incorrect information. The takeaway—
save those photographs. Also, flashing your photos over the internet, and gaining an opinion is not a good way to understand how to identify raptors.
There is a correct and proper way to photograph raptors, especially raptors in flight. And that is a somewhat confusing endeavor, one that may be difficult to grasp. Actually, it does not involve picture taking. However, that is another subject.
I am not a photographer. I don’t have an expensive camera— never will. I will not photograph a Cooper’s hawk, Merlin, or Peregrine— unless the hawk is remarkable. If a goshawk is far away I will not even raise my camera. I am set in my ways. I can be a crusty ol’ man. This is why I don’t go on field trips. I have changed my way of operating— I don’t carry binos, but they are always near me if I am in the car. I am interested in verification photographs.
Poor photographs can contain valuable information. You should never think of your photos as being of poor quality. I urge you— do not trash your old photographs— even blurred photographs. Also, it is possible that your photographs have not been properly analyzed— another reason not to destroy your photographs. Many field- trip leaders and advanced birders do not understand how to identify raptors in flight. Therefore, thinking along these same lines, they may produce incorrect information. The takeaway—
save those photographs. Also, flashing your photos over the internet, and gaining an opinion is not a good way to understand how to identify raptors.
There is a correct and proper way to photograph raptors, especially raptors in flight. And that is a somewhat confusing endeavor, one that may be difficult to grasp. Actually, it does not involve picture taking. However, that is another subject.
Pet peeve
Pet peeve— when on a field trip, the advanced birder or field- trip leader will state with a pulled face— “ What is that bird doing here?”
Now I know that birds have an internal tracking system and that that system can go kaput. But even so, a bird can follow the flock or follow its companion.
Also, the wind can grab an object and carry it away— to wherever the wind wishes.This is the nature of the wind.
So, whenever a birder asks, “ What is that bird doing here?”— you can answer, “Go ask the wind!”
Now I know that birds have an internal tracking system and that that system can go kaput. But even so, a bird can follow the flock or follow its companion.
Also, the wind can grab an object and carry it away— to wherever the wind wishes.This is the nature of the wind.
So, whenever a birder asks, “ What is that bird doing here?”— you can answer, “Go ask the wind!”
Wednesday, April 11, 2018
Goshawks of Texas
The thought— Where are the goshawks of east Texas coming from?
I say they are probably coming from the Ozark Mountains. Now I know the Audubon Society states that goshawks are a rare species in the Ozarks, and only in winter, and where have I heard that before! I know that the Audubon Society cannot be trusted to bring forth proper information on NG.
It is possible that NG are arriving in Texas from northern Mississippi, northern Alabama, or even northern Georgia. Which brings to mind— do goshawks do an east to west migration? Which teases the question— do NG migrate northward, out of Mexico! Are all of the three areas contributing to the population of NG in Rockport, Tyler, Kemah (Houston), Georgetown, and Livingston?
I say they are probably coming from the Ozark Mountains. Now I know the Audubon Society states that goshawks are a rare species in the Ozarks, and only in winter, and where have I heard that before! I know that the Audubon Society cannot be trusted to bring forth proper information on NG.
It is possible that NG are arriving in Texas from northern Mississippi, northern Alabama, or even northern Georgia. Which brings to mind— do goshawks do an east to west migration? Which teases the question— do NG migrate northward, out of Mexico! Are all of the three areas contributing to the population of NG in Rockport, Tyler, Kemah (Houston), Georgetown, and Livingston?
Monday, April 9, 2018
Owl shooter
I heard a story and I went to investigate. There was a guy on the outskirts of town that shoots owls. I approached him with— Do you shoot owls? He said— yep. From me— Well, have you ever tasted an owl? He said— Yes. Well, what did it taste like. And he said, “Kinda like between an eagle and a sea gull.”
seagull Steve
Seagull Steve (ST) is one of my detractors. I understand ST. I know his logic. His logic is good. His logic is correct. His logic is proper. I am sure that many birders find his logic befitting.
ST’s logic is a sub-set of my logic.
There are different types of logic. My logic is more expressive, more expansive.
Here is an example of my logic. And it fits right in with my Rule number 1 and On Gary Bletsch.
I will never put a limit on the number of goshawk (sightings) a person is allowed to garner. As he continues his fine field-work, Gary’s work will contribute to my contentions.
The thought — I like to use the C-word.
ST’s logic is a sub-set of my logic.
There are different types of logic. My logic is more expressive, more expansive.
Here is an example of my logic. And it fits right in with my Rule number 1 and On Gary Bletsch.
I will never put a limit on the number of goshawk (sightings) a person is allowed to garner. As he continues his fine field-work, Gary’s work will contribute to my contentions.
The thought — I like to use the C-word.
Sunday, April 8, 2018
Doves CNN Fox News
l think I have been watching too much Fox News and CNN. I was relaxing in my living room when the Eurasian Collared Doves started sounding... Trump ooohh Trump ooohhh, Trump ooohhh Trump ooohhh. I had to leave the house just to get away from it all. So I walked away down the street to about a half- mile away.
Then it happened again! There was another bunch of Collared Doves. They were sounding off as— ooohhh Trump ooohhh, ooohhhh Trump oooohhh! That was the day I stopped watching Fox News and CNN.
The thought — Will Don Freiday chuckle?
Then it happened again! There was another bunch of Collared Doves. They were sounding off as— ooohhh Trump ooohhh, ooohhhh Trump oooohhh! That was the day I stopped watching Fox News and CNN.
The thought — Will Don Freiday chuckle?
Saturday, April 7, 2018
Dead raptors
All of these sightings were in Anacortes except for the owl at Deception Pass. A smashed Red-tail hawk on the highway between Anacortes and Burlington. Sometimes I stop for smashed raptors. At a big gravel parking lot at Sky Line Marina, an old smashed skin of a mature Cooper’s hawk. At Saint Mary’s Church, an immature female Cooper’s hawk. At Fidalgo RV Resort, I was living there at the time, an injured, mature, female Red-tailed hawk was captured. This hawk was shot and was taken to a vet. The bird had to be put down. At Pioneer Trails RV Park, l was in the office chatting and sipping coffee when I heard a story. When I left, I went to investigate. I found the maintenance man and asked to see the carcass. The man dug through the trash and placed the hawk on the ground, chest up. It was a Peregrine Falcon and mature. This hawk broke its neck while stooping into a telephone wire. I have heard that Peregrines can stoop into ground and break their wing. About that hawk at the church. That hawk was leg-banded. l called in that number. And lastly, at Dececption Pass on a trail. Just a step or two off the trail is a boggy area. Just over head at about ten feet was a Barred Owl. One day, again I wished to see the owl. At my feet was the smashed wing of the owl.
Remarkable Northern Harrier
In San Diego, near Mission Bay— a black Harrier. The hawk was flying low over the water and flapping. The dorsal area was black, as black as a crow. There was a white rump patch. The ventral areas were dark orange, dark brown, and a scattering of black. There were no areas of pastel coloring or light-coloring.
A little of Cooper’s
Cooper’s hawks do not have to show: A flat head
An angular head
Hackles
Tawney cheeks
An eye which is placed forward in the head.
In San Diego on Sante Fe Street I observed a perched, mature Cooper’s, at close range, at eye level. This hawk had an all black head. This was a stunning observation. Just imagine a Spotted Towhee with a head three- times its normal size.
An angular head
Hackles
Tawney cheeks
An eye which is placed forward in the head.
In San Diego on Sante Fe Street I observed a perched, mature Cooper’s, at close range, at eye level. This hawk had an all black head. This was a stunning observation. Just imagine a Spotted Towhee with a head three- times its normal size.
Thursday, April 5, 2018
About Fred
We were invited to an Audubon field trip at the New Jersey shore. While standing at the water’s edge, we met field trip leader Fred. I have never seen him before or even heard of him.
On the ocean’s horizon were a file of birds skimming the ocean. Fred called “Gannets.” Someone in the group said “Why are you calling them Gannets.” Fred replied, “Because they look like Gannets.”
Some of us looked up and rolled our eyes. Some of us looked down at our feet. And then we trudged to another location. Yet I am sure that after one year all of us understood the meaning of what Fred said. And it does not just pertain to birding but to many of the things we observe and understand. So, what is the takeaway?
Remember what Fred said.
On the ocean’s horizon were a file of birds skimming the ocean. Fred called “Gannets.” Someone in the group said “Why are you calling them Gannets.” Fred replied, “Because they look like Gannets.”
Some of us looked up and rolled our eyes. Some of us looked down at our feet. And then we trudged to another location. Yet I am sure that after one year all of us understood the meaning of what Fred said. And it does not just pertain to birding but to many of the things we observe and understand. So, what is the takeaway?
Remember what Fred said.
Number 1 rule
I will never say that you misidentified a bird— unless I am there with you in the field— and we are both onto the same bird. I could be looking deep into the the sky, as with you, but we are observing only a few degrees apart. I must determine if we are on the same bird!
Wednesday, April 4, 2018
On Gary Bletsch
Gary Bletsch is a Skagit County field trip leader and an international birder.
I wish to thank Gary for his post years ago suggesting: There are some birders who have many field notes on their experiences, strategies, and tally sheets. These birders should consider putting their journals into publication. That is the gist of what he posted.
Now, recently Gary has observed goshawk in flight at Concrete airport. That in addition to other sightings of NG in Concrete. I have just one comment— No photo no believe— on your 10 minute observation of this NG.
GARY— I’m just kidding.
Which brings to mind my profound statement of years ago: NG can be an elusive species— but not in the sky. NG have a strong affinity for the sky, but not during June, July, and the first half of August.
I was with Gary on a field trip to Port Susan Preserve. I had a brief look at a Clay-colored Sparrow. I called out a NG to Gary. The hawk was female and was in the sky going to ground or into brush at a distance of 400-600 yards. That was about 10 years ago.
I wish to thank Gary for his post years ago suggesting: There are some birders who have many field notes on their experiences, strategies, and tally sheets. These birders should consider putting their journals into publication. That is the gist of what he posted.
Now, recently Gary has observed goshawk in flight at Concrete airport. That in addition to other sightings of NG in Concrete. I have just one comment— No photo no believe— on your 10 minute observation of this NG.
GARY— I’m just kidding.
Which brings to mind my profound statement of years ago: NG can be an elusive species— but not in the sky. NG have a strong affinity for the sky, but not during June, July, and the first half of August.
I was with Gary on a field trip to Port Susan Preserve. I had a brief look at a Clay-colored Sparrow. I called out a NG to Gary. The hawk was female and was in the sky going to ground or into brush at a distance of 400-600 yards. That was about 10 years ago.
Sunday, April 1, 2018
Hawks not in migration
This blog is about raptors in flight yet not in migration. It is about raptors on their home base, where they breed and are hatched, and where they migrate even if it is only for ten miles. Please understand, I have never observed a goshawk (NG) nest and I have never observed a NG take prey but I have observed NG carrying prey, more on that later. Yet, I do believe that no person knows more of NG migration, habitat, and distribution that what I know. The raptors I am familiar with are from the East and from Puget Sound. I will concentrate mainly on accipiters, yet little on Sharp- shinned Hawks, as I do know the sharpie as they are in migration, but not how they behave in their home base. Generally a raptor will have two home bases, as I have stated. Next I will talk more about me.
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