Day 17.276:Owl: barred

We were only allowed to record bird species observed from inside our 17 foot circle so this one didn’t count. On a short walk away from the circle at one point I surprised a large bird that flew a few feet away and landed on a branch a little way into the woods. I could hardly believe my eyes. Fortunately I had my camera with me so I didn’t have to tell a “one that got away” story. 

Barred owl

Barred owl giving me a hard stare

Day 17.275: Exile #2’s Sunday Column #495

Exile #2 writes...

Exile #4 finished their first term of the new academic year on Friday, so today we went to pick them up and bring the home for a week. It was fun to see how their room had become cozier since we last saw it, with curtains, wall hangings and a rug. It was also fun to hear the hilarity that ensued when the three young exiles were reunited!

The temperatures have taken a decidedly chilly turn. I understand the mountains of Maine got some snow today but on our way home, it was the cloud formations that caught our eye. This photo will in no way do them justice but the sky was full of wave-like formations that, it seems likely - and aptly - were “asperitus undulatus”.

Day 17.274: The Big Sit

Our birding/nature group took part in the Big Sit today - recording how many bird species we could observe during one day from a 17 foot diameter circle. We recorded from first light (6:24 am) to last light (6:31 pm), arriving and leaving just before/after those times. Several of us were there all day while others came and went (some several times) through the day.

In the end, we recorded 47 species, of which two were only heard. There were at least two surprising misses, but several surprising hits as well.

Here's a selection of photos from the day.

 

Day 17.273: Heavenly subtlety

One more aurora photo from last night. Quite a while after the more dramatic shots, I went out again and took this - stars and a subtle wash of color. Very pretty in its own right. 

Day 17.272: Aurora at night; Exiles delight

We knew there was a chance that we might see the northern lights this evening but we were not prepared for how visible and active it would be from right outside our back door. Clearly visible with the naked eye and spectacular with a long exposure. 

Day 17.271: Creeper, tadpoles and other sights

Some more pictures from Gilsland (most of the bird photos are here).

We have occasionally spotted brown creepers before. Usually it looks something like this photo - it is there I promise

On Sunday, I managed to get this rather more convincing shot

Buttonbush

The estuary 

We were surprised to see tadpoles in the pond at this time of year, but it turns out that bullfrogs stay in tadpole form for a few years before taking their adult form. 

Asters in the afternoon sun