All Raptors and One Off Life List~

As much as I love wildlife, and especially birds, I have a rather short list when it comes to those that I would consider "life birds".  We had received BIRDKY ALERTS that one and possibly two Merlins were in the area of a park along the Ohio River, in Eastern Jefferson County.   I had made a couple of attempts in the past couple of weeks and then my good fortune arrived on a very sunny, early morning.  It was awesome to finally get to see one of these beauties.  For the most part, it was catching the early morning sun and preening.  It flew once, but not very far, just a better position with which to watch me.  Do any of you have any birds that you are hoping to see one day?

 Of course at the top of my list is a Great Gray Owl in the wild.

Last Tuesday I was scheduled to leave for Cincinnati and then catch an Amtrak train to Florida.  However nature changed everything.  Our state of Kentucky was termed as of yesterday 2/16/15 a "state of emergency", due to hazardous roads following a snow storm that hit our area.  We live in a valley and get stuck when we have Winter snow storms.  It was one huge mess to get everything changed about, but rather to be safe than sorry.  I will now be leaving this coming Tuesday.  I will not be able to post this to Wild Bird Wednesday until late and so I hope that many will still be able to view this share, as you are able.  

Cheers~

Remember to double click on the first image, to view a larger slide show presentation after you have read the narratives~

I will be linking up with Judith for:

www.lavendercottagegardening.com

Mosaic Monday

&

Stewart for:

   http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com.au/

Wild Bird Wednesday

This is simply a bad image turned into something more artistic.  While so many like this are deleted, I felt this one had meaning, at least to me.  A pair of Red-tailed Hawks~

The American Kestrel was not happy that I had stopped to catch a glimpse of her beauty~

The "Tingsgrove and Beyond" female Red-Shouldered Hawk caught a Gray Squirrel on my land the other day, and then flew in the direction of last seasons nest tree.  

They are just now choosing a nest tree~

Harris Hawks...

I had seen a documentary on them last year.  They are a Raptor species that collectively hunt with each other to take down prey and share in the meal.  My friend Beau, who is a Master Falconer had a Red-tailed Hawk the last time I shared a post about him.  Recently he became the proud custodian of this gorgeous bird.  Her name is Tara and she makes the most wonderful, cooing/purring sounds.  I was quite taken by her beauty and her seemingly easy manner.  I believe Beau has a new best friend~

While walking at Anchorage Trail, I came upon this first year Red-Shouldered Hawk.  The park has many visitors, both human kind and canine, and these birds are just pretty used to people and you can manage some fairly descent shots there~

Below is one of the parents of the young one above.  I am thinking that due to the size alone, this is the female~

Last, but not least.  I had...yes...another Dr appointment in the city last week.  I arrived early and stopped at the little park across the lane.  An adult Red-Shouldered Hawk was actually hunting for earthworms and grubs.  It seemed oblivious to all of the people walking by it on this cold, brisk, yet sunny afternoon~

For The Love of Red-tailed Hawks and Raptors~

I love Raptors!
I also love when you can see them more frequently, when the trees have no leaves!
Red-tailed Hawks are in our area all year long and I really enjoy them.
There is a large nest within 10 miles of our home, and another one that I can monitor about 25 miles away, when I happen into the big city;')

I am linking up with Stewart at:

Wild Bird Wednesday

(http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com.au/)

Thank you Stewart for hosting Wild Bird Wednesday~ 

 

The image below is of one of the pair that built the large nest above. 
This image was taken in February and even with very cold temperatures, it had a snake in it's talons...yum!
 

 

A couple of weeks ago, while out driving, I could see the beauty below, as I was approaching a curve and there was no traffic. 
I put my car window down and readied the camera and began to get some captures of this beauty, first on the fence rail, and then as it flew to get away from me;')
 

 

 

Higher, higher, and higher it flew, until I was cutting it off, unable to see it from my window, as it flew over the top of me~
 

 

 

 

 

 

Last week, I stopped in to visit my friends June and Beau Solley, who live near my daughter Brittany and her family. 
Some may remember Beau from last summer, when my grandson Thomas got to hold his Red-tailed Hawk Olivia.
Beau is a Master Falconer, and it was he, who also took me to the Great horned Owl's nest in late February. 
We plan to check in on that nest again around the 10 th of April, so will keep you posted.
Beau has freed Olivia and has a new Red-tailed Hawk now, that they call Eve. 
Beau had placed this swing high up on a hill for he and June, and on this beautiful afternoon, I thought it too pretty , not to include in this post.
It was such a treat being able to once again be so close to one of these magnificent birds~