Of Eagles & Hawk Owls

[NE Birds Plus]

While bcurrie's (fabulous photos!!) numbers of Bald Eagles will never be matched here in the Northeast we do have a dozen or so that winter on the Merrimac River in the Newburyport, MA area. The attached was taken 3-4-03 from a bridge over the river. There were 7 Eagles in view at one point.

Yesterday also found my little car heading west for Root, New York where a Northern Hawk Owl has been seen for the last few months. A photo is attached in the reply below. More shots of 2 other Eagles and the Hawk Owl removing a rat from the planets list of living items can be seen at:

http://www.nebirdsplus.com./Eagles%20&%20Owls.htm

All photos taken with a Nikon Coolpix 995 through a Leica scope with either a 20x or 32x eyepiece.

[NE Birds Plus]

The Northern Hawk Owl photo..

[LuBird]

These are exceptioal photos. What is the red strip hanging from the Owl's feathers? The photo is so clear ou would think I could figure it out ofor myself:(((

[LuBird]

OOPS! I loooked again for the third time,it's part of the Tree!Sorry I didn't get it right the first time:((((

[NE Birds Plus]

Hi LuBird, a cropped version of the photo shows the branch just a bit better.

[LuBird]

Thanks NE! Durn Bi-Focals anyhow:gh:Bigger is better:)))

[ariddle]

Phil, beautiful photos! Great job and thanks for sharing them with us.
Alicia

[Tammie]

Wow, those photos are stunning! I seldom get to see young Bald Eagles. I see all kinds of Northern Hawk Owls around here (I live 50 km in the bush) but never get to see them up close and personal like that. Beautiful!

[Beverlybaynes]

I just can't imagine getting to see Northern Hawk Owl 'all the time'!

Phil, those owl photos are stunning! I think I remember you saying your 'short ride' would be 6-7 hours, right? Boy, was that worth it, or what?!

It'd be about 20-odd hours for me. So thanks for taking me along!

[Beverlybaynes]

Phil, could you tell me a little more about the location of this bird? Rand McNally isn't telling me anything about Root, NY.

Friends are driving out to Rhode Island this week for courses with the NWRA in Newport, and may well be interested in varying their route to check out this great bird!

Many thanks in advance!!

[NE Birds Plus]

Hi Beverly,
Root, NY is located in Montgomery County. The Hawk Owl is being seen just over the County line on Corbin Hill Road which is off of Rte 20 in Carlisle. Once your friends turn onto Corbin Hill Rd. they should continue to a sign for Montgomery County (approx. 1 - 2 miles). The farm at the top of the hill after this sign is where I saw the bird. In small numbers on the mailbox (left side of road, both mailbox and farm) was 1196 Corbin Hill Rd. There is a photo of the farm on my website and the attached map shows the general area with Schenectady, NY being east of Root. Best of luck to your friends should they decide to make the trip. And yes it was an 8 hour round trip drive... but the 2 hours and 15 minutes spent with the Owl were well worth it!!

The Owl has been seen over the farm house and well back in the fields. As Hawk Owls do it perches in the tops of whatever tree it happens to be in. It may require a little searching but it will probably be right over the house.. :)

[Cindy M]

you've done it again Phil- outstanding images and what a thrill to see the Hawk Owl, eh? one of the upsides of the winter season is the winter owls.. nice work and thanks for sharing :t:

[Beverlybaynes]

Thanks so much, Phil. I'll be passing this on to my buddies (and wishing I were going along!!)

[Marysan]

Fabulous, Phil, thanks much!

[Sal]

Excellent photos Phil, thanks for sharing, what a pleasure to see close-ups of such lovely birds.

[mymantra]

Fabulous pictures ! I would really like to capture some of those someday.