Morning/owl watch 1-20-12
By Rochester falcon watcher MAK
This morning I decided to just sit tight on the Broad St. Bridge and wait for Beauty to show up on Mercury as is her routine lately. Around 7:30am she flew in from the northeast landed on the money bag hand and before I could even get my hand on my camera poof! she was gone! I never found her so I trekked over to KP and couldn’t find Unity either. From there I went to Irondequoit and checked out the Medley Center,bay bridge and Seabreeze with no pefa sightings whatsoever. I took some pics of a lone ice fisherman and some swans in the bay.
From there I made my way to first Summerville checking the pier,Coast guard Station and surrounding area for the Snowy Owl I call Summer. She wasn’t anywhere that I could see her so I left and checked Shumway Marina on my way to Charlotte with no luck in either of those places of finding Summer or a falcon. Sheesh, what’s a girl to do? Take in the other sights on the waterfront that’s what!
I stopped by KP and DT before going home for a lunchbreak and unfortunately couldn’t locate either Unity or Beauty. I had planned to go out to Hamlin to look for the Short-earred Owls CarolP had seen there earlier this week so Istopped by KP one more time on my way and still no Unity. That girl sure is wandering lately! On the way to my owl prowl I saw 5 Red-tailed Hawks on interstate 390 northbound and 2 more on the Lake Ontario State Parkway westbound. Things were picking up finally! When I arrived at the location on Church Road that Carol had reported seeing the owls I immediately spotted a Northern Harrier on a pile of brush and debris.
After taking that pic I looked over the field and saw white wings flying at the far end so I drove down to where some cars were pulled over to watch the show. First one Short-earred Owl then 2 and the old MAKster got her camera and started video taping the interaction between these two owls. Some hunting took place also, not only by the owls but the Northern Harrier got in on the act! It wasn’t until I looked at my pics and video on my laptop that I found out I had the harrier in there as well!
CarolP joined me at this point and I stopped taking pics and video and just enjoyed the free entertainment! Joyce also showed up to watch these wonderful creatures. For a day that started out kinda slow it sure ended on a high note! I think I may be falling in love with owls as well! And so another watch ends with smiles on all of our faces!!! 🙂
Check out the links below for more from my evening owl prowl and the days sightings. Enjoy!!!
January 20th, 2012 at 11:15 PM
Great videos of the owls. While watching the close up, I paused through out. Those still shots would make great pics.
January 21st, 2012 at 1:11 AM
MAK..I loved those videos too! I also paused them through out and I agree with Joyce….they are great!!!
🙂
January 21st, 2012 at 10:59 AM
MAK! More fine videos! I was surprised to see that the Short Eared Owls are agile fliers. They really do fly much like Northern Harriers. It’s not often that I learn something right after turning on my computer on a snowy Saturday morning.
January 21st, 2012 at 11:10 AM
It was so much fun to watch and they are so gorgeous! I love to see their faces flying straight at me! And Paul not only are they agile but they pick up speed quickly making it that much harder to follow them! 🙂
January 22nd, 2012 at 6:27 AM
Have not checked your blogs for a while, MAK. Silly me, as there is soooooo much in them! I sure do envy you “your” owls!
January 22nd, 2012 at 6:30 AM
Forgot to mention: HOW you saw that owl in the field of stubble is beyond me!
January 22nd, 2012 at 3:39 PM
Bobbie I saw the white of it’s underparts flash. It’s tricky business watching and taping these guys but oh so FUN! 🙂