Mystery Teeny Ski Tracks, Doorstep and Company, plus Site Alerts

Doorstep Dove eyes the House Sparrow. For some reason Doorstep seems to check the sparrows out far more carefully than do her counterparts.


Earlier in the day, there had been a raptor somewhere close outside. The squirrels scolded for hours and there wasn't a bird to be seen. I went out and looked and could not find her for the life of me. Which makes me suspect Accipter, but aren't they all supposed to have migrated out?


The day has been cold and the birds have been having to lay low. They are hungry, and I've rarely seen birds peck this fast.

Doorstep still up center, with no legs. Metaphorically anyway.

Suddenly the ground flock headed out a a quick swoosh, and while looking around for them, I say that little what? Looks like a ski trail for an animal that wears three skis.

See?

Another look. Being practical did someone slide on their claws down the hill? Squirrel? Or is it really a three legged fairy who is into winter sports.

From Brooklyn's Peggy M--

Click here: Cloudboxer.com Unique Bird Photography Bird Art

Have you seen any of these? I thought you'd enjoy them because they are fantastic.

PeggyM
Brooklyn, NY

And a site recommendation from falconer Joanne of Emrys Raptors

http://www.themodernapprentice.com/gen_biology.htm

In particular readers might be interested in clicking Health then click Diseases as this last year was rather fraught with them, in NYC at least, and there is also a good starter glossary of terms related to raptors.

My apologies in advance--The blog may be a bit spotty for a few days as my Mom passed away last Saturday, and I'm taking care of the arrangements.

D.B.

Cold Crow Behavior and the Blue Fuzzy That Wasn't

Occasionally the human eye and the digital camera machinations make a weird combination. Note what could be a blue fuzzy something around the snow dusted meat and bone in the center of the Goodie Stump. As it completely disappears in 6 seconds and is likely a shadow that has become "strange" in the process. In the following photographs the shadow looks like what it should be--a shadow For whatever reason at least to my eye in this one, possibly it is more convex due to the mini snow drft has collected around the raised food, the darker texture instead of appearing flat seems to have taken on a rounded more convex shape. Perhaps something about the way it has turned aqua in this photograph makes me "see" fuzzy?

Notice that Right Crow has seen me, but he's not going anywhere. It is very cold, and he needs to cadge some food. See how he has hunkered his fluffy anterior feathers over his legs in an attempt to keep some warmth?

Notice how Right Crow has shifted position, he is now closer to the food, though still keeping the fluff on his legs and seemingly intending to keep an innocuous stance. In response Left Crow is standing on the food with beak ready either for Right or the snack.

Now Left has sunk her fluff onto her legs. While her beak is down, Right is leaning in slowly. Their heads actually touch for a moment. It reminded me of how cats greet each other by touching noses.

Then Right is hiding behind Left and peering at me pointedly over Left's back. Crows are far more comfortable looking at humans when their heads are obscured in some way.

Right has decided that the birding scope is just too weird with my magnified eye looking out of it and takes off. Left has decided to ignore the whole matter and keep on eating. She still has her knees bent and her body lowered to keep the warmth of her feathers on her legs.

From the Tulsa Forum's Catbird, check it out--

View the treasures of the Prado from Google Earth http://tech.yahoo.com/news/ap/20090113/ap_on_hi_te/eu_spain_google_art_2

Donegal Browne

Eagle Egg, Owl, and Ivory Bird

Photograph courtesy of Friends of Blackwater EagleCam

Long time Blog Contributer, R. of Illinois is a wonderful link finder and here is her catch of the day!

Blackwater Eagles

01/23/09: Egg Alert!
First egg of 2009! A clutch is usually 2-3 eggs, laid about 2-3 days apart. Incubation will be approximately 32-36 days.
http://www.friendsofblackwater.org/camhtm2.html

Rare 'Ivory' Bird Drawing Crowds In Bay StateGull Native To Arctic

BOSTON -- Plymouth Harbor on the South Shore is no stranger to unusual visitors, the Pilgrims being the most notable, but peak season for any tourists heading to the beaches there is usually summer, not winter.

This winter, however, a rare snowbird, an arctic sea gull, has decided to make a stopover at Plymouth Harbor, to the delight of crowds of bird lovers eager to see the pure white visitor that is native to the Arctic Circle.
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/cnn-news/18549168/detail.html


Owl Native To Arctic Spotted In Tenn.

Snowy Owl Seen Around Spring Hill In December
Reported by Alan Frio / 4HD Nashville News SPRING HILL, Tenn. -- The thousands of acres that surround the General Motors plant in Spring Hill have become home to a bird not native to Tennessee.

A snowy owl, which is more commonly found in Canada and polar regions, was first spotted in the area in December. Bird lovers from other states have flocked to the area with their telephoto lenses in hopes of capturing a peek at the rare site.
Local wildlife experts said the last sighting of a snowy owl in Tennessee was about 22 years ago.

http://www.wsmv.com/news/18523938/detail.html#-