Birding the Susquehanna

On Saturday my hubby and I decided to visit the Conowingo Dam on the Susquehanna River. This time of the year the Bald Eagles are migrating and hundreds of them can be found at the river right below the dam.  The eagles attract birders and professional photographers from all over. I felt a little out of place with my Canon Powershot when I see the professionals photographers there with their bazooza lenses. But, then I am just taking my photos for fun and to keep a record for my birding log and not for the fame or money. Sorry, the zoom on my camera does not give me the clearest shots of the eagles on the rocks across the river.

So on to the birds I saw at the river. Beside all the Adult Bald Eagles we saw various stages of the juvenile Eagles. The adult Bald Eagle has the white head and tail and striking yellow bill and feet. The adult plumage starts around age 5. There were also high numbers of Great Blue Herons, Cormorants and Black Vultures, pigeons and seagulls. I was told earlier in the day there was a Peregrin Falcon and a Golden Eagle. The Bald Eagles are the main attraction. The eagles put on a great show and are awesome to watch in flight, chasing each other and stealing fish. The Eagles usually show up starting in late October and stay maybe thru March. There are some Eagles that are at the river year round. The Eagle population is steadily increasing over the years since the pesticide DDT has been banned.



This picture below shows some adults and some of the juvenile Bald Eagles in various stages.

Below , is the closest shot I could get of their big and awesome looking yellow bill.

Below a picture shows one adult eagle perched on top of the rock and below are all the cormorants, black vultures and pigeons.

Below,  are a few adult Eagles, juvenile Eagles and a few Great Blue Herons hanging out together.

My header shot is of the river showing some beautiful yellow fall foliage. When we looked in the binoc's there were also eagles sitting in these trees.

I am link up with Mary's Mosaic Monday and Drowey Monkey's Mellow Yellow Monday and That's My World

Thanks to the wonderful host of these fun memes and thank you for stopping by to see my post.

Backyard Bird..Tufted Titmouse

I enjoy watching and feeding my backyard birds. The Tufted Titmouse is one of my year round backyard birds. The are a small songbird, they have a white face and a grey crest and a short stout bill.

They love the Black oil Sunflower seeds and peanuts.

 

This is my entry for Camera Critters and to see more cute critters visit

Misty Dawn's Camera Critters

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Backyard Birds

Lately I have been enjoying some FOY which is first of the year birds in my yard. The Purples Finches and the White Throated Sparrows are two birds I usually see more in the winter months.

Click here to see more of Wordless Wednesday  and click here to see more of Outdoor Wednesday

Thanks to the host and for stopping by to see my birdie post.

Birding Shenandoah

Hubby and I visited Shenandoah Nat'l Park yesterday, we love taking daytrips and Shenandoah is close enough for a quick visit. Driving the Skyline Drive and seeing all the pretty fall colors was wonderful. We both agreed that this fall the colors are not as spectacular as in previous years. We have been visiting and camping at Shenandoah Nat'l Park for more than twenty years now. The Fall colors can be stunning.

Sulphur butterfly

 I really enjoy hiking the Limberlost trail located in the central section of the Sklyine Drive and the park. Around the trailhead parking lot and along the trail there were many apples trees and berries which attracted a large amount of birds. We found out from other hikers on the Limberlost that we had just missed seeing black bear. The Black bears are another reason why I love visiting Shenandoah.

Slate colored Dark Eyed Junco

The Tufted Titmouse and Dark Eyed (slate colored) Junco had the highest individual counts of all the birds I saw. I did see and hear, Bluejays, Cardinals, Eastern Bluebirds, American Crows,  Eastern Towhee, Kinglets, Hairy Woodpecker, unidentified Hawk and Turkey Vultures soaring above the drive and overlooks.

Pretty reds at the Big Meadows

I am link up Mary's Mosaic Monday and Drowsey Monkey's Mellow Yellow Monday and Marytheteach's Ruby Tuesday and That's My world

Special thanks to all these wonderful host, I just love participating in these fun memes.
Thanks for stopping by and visiting my blog and my Shenandoah post.

Backyard Skywatch

Lately our skies have been so clear, hardly a cloud in sight. But, two days ago I was able to watch somewhat of a sunset from my backyard.  The geese flew over just in time for a few of my photos. Not in the V shape but a single line. I guess they are heading to the lake on the other side of my street. This may be a great winter to watch my backyard birds. I have been seeing many RedBreasted Nuthatches, Purple Finches, Goldfinches and those cute little Kinglets. I am waiting to see my first of the year Pine Siskin.

I hope you enjoyed my backyard skywatch and to

 see more wonderful skies from all around the world

 click here: Skywatch Friday

Thanks to the Skywatch team of Sylvia, Sandy, Wren, Fishing Guy and Klaus.

Also thanks for stopping by to visit me.

Some of my other skywatches Chincoteague-sunrise

I would to know how other bloggers post thumbnails of  their other skywatches at the bottom of their post. I would appreciate the help if someone can tell me how to do it?  Thanks.