Rough-legged Hawk
By: Pat Coate
Besides the Snowy Owl, we have another Arctic bird of prey wintering in our area – the Rough-legged Hawk. These birds breed in the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions of North America, Europe and Asia. In Europe and Asia they are known as Rough-legged Buzzards.
Snowy Owl being harassed by Common Ravens
By: Pat Coate
I recently sat in my car with the window down observing and photographing a snowy owl perched on its usual utility pole. I heard and saw a lone raven flying from the north, quorking (one of the common raven’s vocalizations) as it flew. The snowy owl seemed to hear the raven too as it immediately flew directly over my car and landed on the ground along the driveway at the gravel pits.
Another car drove into the gravel pit driveway spooking the owl which then flew off across the frozen quarry.
Snowy Owl
By: Pat Coate
As we all shiveringly know there has been an amazing influx of frigid Arctic air this winter, reluctantly causing us to add the phrase “Polar Vortex” to our vocabulary. But, thankfully, the Arctic region has provided us with more than just frigid temps this winter – it has also provided us an influx (or more appropriately an irruption) of one of its stunning birds of prey – Snowy Owls.
To all my blogging friends; I Allegany Tom on the 2nd of February 2014, did not see my shadow when I woke up this morning (actually had snow falling and was a whiteout). I predict that spring will come early this year.
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Most of Western New York has been shut down tomorrow due to this storm moving through. It is the first Winter Storm Warning in almost 20 years. Even though they say don’t go outside, please take the time to feed the birds . . . . they could use your help.
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New Years resolution again is to try and post on the blog more. Hope everyone enjoys 2014!!
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You have to love early mornings in Allegany State Park. Winter has returned.
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American Goldfinch
By: Pat Coate
The American Goldfinch is a common visitor to our backyard, visiting both the sunflower and nyjer seed feeders. And goldfinches never come alone, seems there is always a minimum of three when they show up and often many more. Their song, which they chatter quite effusively, seems so cheerful that I think they must be very happy birds.
Female Wild Turkey with her brood
By: Pat Coate
Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving, enjoying family, friends and football!
Eternal Flame Falls (photo taken in autumn, flame lower right)
By: Pat Coate
I had heard good things about the Eternal Flame Falls hike at Chestnut Ridge Park in Orchard Park, NY. So while in the area with a little extra time I decided to check it out. Here is a description of the eternal flame phenomenon from http://nyfalls.com/waterfalls/eternal-flame-falls/:
“As you approach the falls, the smell of rotten-egg-like natural gas fills the air within the ravine. This is the result of seepage from layers of organically-rich Hanover Shale. … The gasses produced during the decomposition of the organics within the rock deposits are under pressure and push out through cracks and loose layers within the rock. One large fissure is located right within Eternal Flame Falls, in a small grotto that protects the gas seepage from the falling water and any wind, enabling it to sustain a flame when lit.”
Welcome to the mon@rch nature blog and I hope you join us in some of our nature adventures through the Allegany State Park area!
I am a naturalist, field biologist and nature photographer from the Western New York area. I have started exploring nature writing through this blog and it truly has been fun sharing my numerous adventures with everyone. Thanks to the many other authors that help me with my post and they will be sharing some of their nature explorations.
I have always had a latent interest in birds and photography and have been lucky enough to find time to explore these interests over the last few years. I am very thankful to the Cattaraugus County Bird Club for getting me started, sharing their wealth of knowledge and for their wonderful programs. And many thanks to Tom for letting me share some of my adventures and photos on the Monarch Nature Blog.
Thank you for taking the time visiting and commenting on this blog.
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