Red-tailed Hawk landing on nest, Bobst Library, NYU, New York City

Palling around with country birds

I am back in NYC from a brief country getaway. During my visit I saw birds such as Black Ducks, Canada Geese, a few Hawks, and a Cedar Waxwing. I was also treated to a beautiful lake and much-needed forest silence.

Mist rising from the lake one morning:

Mist rising on lake

Black Duck having a scratch:

Black Duck scratching its head
Black Duck swimming on lake

A Hawk circled near the lake but I could not identify exactly what species it was. Its cry did not sound like a Red-tailed Hawk:

Hawk flying above lake

Spotlight of sun in the otherwise dark woods:

Spot of sunlight in the dark woods

Cedar Waxwing:

Cedar Waxwing sitting on tree

A Canada Goose family:

Canada Goose family on lake

The goslings rested and preened on the rocky shore while the adults floated nearby:

Canada Geese goslings resting and preening on rocky shore

More Black Ducks:

Black Duck swimming on the lake
Two Black Ducks swimming together on lake

What was probably a Spotted Sandpiper:

Spotted Sandpiper flying over lake

I didn’t notice until later that both Geese adults were banded:

Two banded Canada Geese walking on rocky shore

A Black Duck joined the goslings and preened as well:

Black Duck preening resting with Canada Goose goslings

A few varieties of lichen on one tree:

Three lichen variations on tree
brown lichen on tree

tree covered in brown lichen

A huge spider in its web between two trees:

Spider in web in the woods

I will resume my Washington Square Park Hawking soon! The good news is a fellow Hawk-watcher reported seeing both Bobby and Sadie sitting near each other on a building just east of the park.


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8 thoughts on “Palling around with country birds

  1. Love your pictures of the usually unseen country birds. I know just what you mean about enjoying the peace and quiet. I grew up in the country. Coming from a big family in a little house, I loved every opportunity to get away from all the noise and sit on a boulder looking out over the fall colored woods, or sitting under a sawhorse which I had covered with an old quilt, enjoying the quiet, share (I am a redhead and burn easily) and just enjoying the peace and lower tones of my little private reading room. 🙂

    A few years ago, I was watching what had been an eagle nest, which had been destroyed by a wind storm. The neighboring folks re-built the nest, but the eagles didn’t come back. Instead, a family of Canada geese took up residence. I had never seen geese nesting like that before. The father explored the big nest and looked around to see if it was safe, then called his wife to come and check it out too. She approved, although she ordered some renovations to the people-made nest. Soon there were goose eggs filling the nest. I had no idea how baby geese would get down from a tree top nest, but saw that when the mother declared it was time, she got dad to come and help with the family move. She floated down to the ground and encouraged all the babies to follow. It took some longer than others, but they all made it safely to the ground, with ma and pa both checking all their little heads to make sure every baby was accounted for and that they were all safe and following ma down to the edge of a nearby pond. For a country girl, I sure still have a lot to learn! 🙂 Thanks for these pictures which reminded me of that class in raising yet another type of feathered babies.

  2. I love your pictures and captions and especially like to hear the updates on the Red Tails. I live in Florida and recently saw a large hawk attack and eat a blackbird under a bush in my backyard. I had very mixed emotions about it but always know that the hawks have to eat too. I looked through my Audubon and Merlin apps and couldn’t find a picture that matched the hawk I saw. Then it dawned on me to check your pictures. Sure enough, I confirmed that it was a Red Tailed Hawk just like Bobby, Sadie and my old friend Pip!

    1. Thanks, Sheila! Sorry about the blackbird. Yes, it’s sometimes conflicting when the Hawks eat an especially ‘cute’ critter like a young squirrel. But I’m happy my site helped you identify the bird!

  3. Roger,
    Your camera w/ the wonderful settings, captures the birds in such detail.
    The two ducks “careening” together in the water appear so close and the picture so clear, I can tiny feathers as well as, the smiles , the two seem to have on their little duck faces.
    How serene the dwelling places…away from the congestion of NYC, it is quite Disney -like …especially the lichen on the trees .
    I so enjoyed the tales of youth, from Shirley…your memory is so astute and the pictures your story prompted me to visualize was a step back in time.
    Thank you, to both Roger and Shirley…
    I could feel the coolness of the “forest” w/ these beautiful illustrations…

    1. Thanks, Jeanne! That front duck especially really did look like it was smiling, I just had to place that pic as the featured image. 🙂 My trip was a much-needed break from the city.

  4. Wonderful pix! Especially liked the goslings on the rocky shore…so perfectly blended and camouflaged. Wonders of nature in every shot.

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