Migration Begins

It may not feel a lot like spring,but the birds are slowly returning to their nesting territories.

The Raptors may not nest in this area,for the most part,but they pass through here and that makes for some exciting sightings.

I spent almost an hour this morning photographing Eagles,Hawks and a Magpie.

This is not a great picture of a Bald Eagle,but they were sitting in the trees like this at various spots.

Rough-legged Hawks are also migrating through right now and one of them gave some great opportunities for photos. This picture is not cropped at all. I love the beautiful patterns and colours it displays.

Another picture that has not been cropped.Using the 400mm lens,I was not able to get the whole bird in the picture when it took off. I like how the wings and tail are lit up by the morning sun.

I have had very few chances for decent Black-billed Magpie pictures and mostly they have been in flight.Today was my lucky day,as one of them landed on this fence post and allowed me to shoot several pictures.

Last but not least,a Red-tailed Hawk in a clear blue sky is one of those sights that I never tire of seeing. I would have preferred to have this one a little closer,but the birds don't seem to care if I get good pictures or not.

I love getting the pictures of the birds,but what is equally as good is the time spent in nature and the visits with my birding friends.When the birds don't show up,there is always good conversation and fun times.

I found this quote in a calendar entitled 'The Beauty of Friendship', I think it speaks to what I experience at the Hawk Watch,as I visit with my friends.Each person I meet touches my life in some way.

No love,no friendship can cross the path of our destiny without leaving some mark on it forever.