I spent some time out playing in the snow this morning. While I think many of us in these parts are over it, maybe the thing to do is just embrace it. It is lovely to look at and it is still coming down. Click on pictures to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
I love listening to the conversations when so many are in the same space like this. Click on picture to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
I’ve seen this young one roaming around our neighbor’s yard a few times, but that was over a month ago. I was surprised to go out to the backyard this morning and see her sitting there. That’s an area where we throw out a lot of veggie scraps and seeds for birds, squirrels, and everyone else, so I can see why she was drawn to it. She is most welcome to hang out, to even stay, but once she saw me, she headed off. My concern is that turkeys seem very social and I’ve only seen her alone. I hope she has a family nearby. She’s apparently been doing quite well wondering around the neighborhood for the past few months. I’ll have to be sure and leave some apple pieces out for her tonight. I wish the pictures were a little better, but there wasn’t much light yet. Click on pictures to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
Walks in the Haskell wetlands are always a pleasure. I love those sunny cold days when I’m the only human around. 
Click on pictures to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
I am honored that one of my photos will be the cover for the new CD from Kirtan Rabbi. If you haven’t heard this music, check it out here: http://www.kirtanrabbi.com/ It is truly wonderful!
Click on picture to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
This air battle was very intense. No matter how much the red-tailed hawk screamed and tried to maneuver away, the crow just kept coming. Fortunately, after a lot of screaming and diving, they parted ways without any apparent injuries. I’m always amazed at how relentlessly the crows will go after raptors. I know I’ve said this before, but I imagine if a raptor routinely ate my babies, I wouldn’t miss an opportunity to cause a little grief. On the other hand, a hawk has to eat. And, of course, I am not able to separate my humanness from the experience. I would imagine their relationship is far more interesting, complex, and symbiotic than I can figure out. Click on pictures to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
Amazingly, the sun has been out a few times over the last couple of weeks, and there have even been a couple of days with very mild temps. This is excellent weather for parking the car at our favorite inlet and doing a little bald eagle watching. Click on pictures to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
And don’t forget the young ones.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
I was watching a group of blue jays diving in and out of the trees picking up acorns yesterday when all of a sudden a sharp-shinned hawk plunged into the group. Fortunately for the jays, no one was lunch. Sadly for the hawk, he/she flew away hungry. I didn’t react fast enough to get pictures of the action, but did get a few of the hawk hanging out on our maple tree. I had no idea just how many birds were hanging out where I was until the hawk showed up and it seemed like hundreds flew up out of nowhere. It’s still very cloudy here, so photography is a bit frustrating. Click on pictures to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
I always know when a red-bellied woodpecker is around. They are great at announcing their presence. Click on pictures to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor
I love watching these little ones visit the feeder, and what a perfect name. Click on pictures to enlarge.
© Chris Taylor
© Chris Taylor