Cameron County ~ Hawk's, Falcon's and Crested Carcaras

Bernie & I had fun driving the back byways of the Cameron County today where we came across quite a number of hawks, falcons & Crested Caracara's.

2 Harris's Hawks

White-tailed Hawk

Cooper's Hawk

Crested Caracara

White-tailed Kite

American Kestrel

Northern Harrier

Harris's Hawk

Crested Caracara

Cape May Point Hawkwatch

Yesterday was an amazing day on the hawkwatch platform in the Point. The birds were flying fast and furiously. I arrived in the afternoon and the place was rocking. The Sharpies, Coop's, Broad-wing's Merlin and Kestrel's were abundant. I was there when the Eurasian-collared Dove came through not once but twice. There were warblers off the platform in the trees. A good number of Monarch were flying past the platform also. Total birds counted 4754 with 64 species.

Belted Kingfisher

Northern Pintails

Osprey

American Kestrel

Osprey

Red-tailed Hawk

Northern Harrier hunting over the marsh.

Ruskin, FL ~ Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve

This was another spot we birded at back in 2013.  today we arrived early and were able to climb the hill looking down over the water areas.  Not the largest amount of birds but still nice.  We were happy to see the Cattle Egrets catching and eating the dragonflies along with an American Kestrel doing the same thing.  For me there were some new butterflies which was exciting ~ A Giant Swallowtail did a fly-by and a mangrove Skipper posed happily on some Lantana.

Mangrove Skipper

Mangrove Skipper

Gulf Fritillary

Cattle Egret with bug

American Kestrel

OR ~ On the way to Mt Hood

Another day of beautiful scenery as we drive from Prineville to our last stop at Mt Hood.  We have really covered many miles in Oregon this past week. I had no idea that the scenery would be as gorgeous as it has been here.  Around every corner is a sight more beautiful than the one we have just passed.  I am looking forward to  a return trip someday to explore even more.  Today, we saw more birds and even got more butterflies though nothing like yesterday at the reservoir.

Reflectios ~ Lake Simtustus, OR

Reflections ~ Lake Simtustus, OR

Double-crested Cormorant

American Kestral

Common Mergansers swimming along Hood River

Unknown Fritillary at Lake Timothy ~
Asked for help with ID inconclusive results Atlantis VS Mormon Fritillary

Mourning Cloak at Lake Timothy

Gray Jay ~ High Mountain

Young Oregon Junco

 

Cape May Point State Park ~ Fall Hawk Migration

Broad-winged Hawk ~ Life bird # 342

Osprey looking for lunch

American Kestrel 

CA ~ Desert Willow Resort ~ American Kestrel

While sitting at the pool this afternoon I saw a fairly large bird flew by to a cactus.  I wasn't motivated to get out of the pool to check it out but decided I should.  I was excited to see an American Kestrel with the closest looks I have ever seen of one.