.01%
This post will combine 2 mornings - exactly one month apart. I’ll start with the morning of October 23rd in Litchfield, CT. On this particular morning I had all of my equipment with me and was hoping for some early morning landscapes along the boardwalk trail. I had walked this boardwalk on two other mornings so I knew exactly where I wanted to be. As usual I arrived very early and I set up. I then watched and photographed the magic unfold around me. I hope that you can sense the silence and enjoy the beauty.
I started by looking directly east…
I then immediately looked behind me -
I moved further along the boardwalk to capture this -
Right after the above shot the dramatic lighting was done… still beautiful, but nothing like what I have just shared with you. Mission accomplished - wow!
The next series is from this past Sunday, November 23rd. It was so cold I had to wear my face mask and ski goggles. The feels like temp was about 23 degrees - very cloudy, cold and damp feeling. I drove up to Bullitt Reservation in Ashfield. When I turn onto Bullitt Road off of Rte 116 I slow way down and begin looking in every direction. As soon as I arrive at the first field on my right at Bullitt I slow down even more. The first time I ever saw a Barred Owl at Bullitt was in this first field. I immediately look towards the woods that run along the perimeter of the field. In the pre-dawn darkness on this cold and cloudy morning I instantly saw a Barred Owl sitting on a branch!! Are you kidding me? I pulled over to the opposite side of the road and parked alongside the road. I didn’t take my eyes off of the Barred. Unfortunately in cold weather I can’t just jump out of the car - I have to put face mask, hat, goggles, jacket, gloves on - ugh! I hated to take the time but knew that I needed to. As soon as I was fully dressed I quietly got out of the car and opened my backseat door to get my camera out of the car. I then closed both doors as quietly as possible. I extended the legs of my tripod and took this shot right away.
I then moved around the front of the car (further away from the Barred) and set up - knowing that I stood out like a sore thumb! I then zoomed in and watched her for 10 full minutes until she flew away through the woods. I did not care one bit about how cold and raw it was out - what a magnificent way to start my morning! As you will see she had had breakfast before I arrived - the little telltale sign is the dot of red on the end of her beak. I am calling her a she just because…
She went from resting for a quick moment to turning and flying silently into the woods…
You know how excited I was after this encounter… I continued along doing my usual routine at Bullitt and never spotted her again. I then decided to leave Bullitt and to take the back way home on some dirt roads that take me past some Mass Wildlife properties. Since it was a Sunday I knew it was safe for me to explore these areas - no hunting allowed in Massachusetts on Sundays.
My first stop took me along a brook - with everything misty and freezing to the branches.
I finally heard the unmistakable song of Bluebirds - I continued along the path. I was having no luck spotting any until right up in front of me this one landed for a millisecond -
I continued as far as I could and then turned around. I decided that it was time to head home so back to the car I went. Of course I drove slowly just in case I could catch a glimpse of something.
When all of a sudden…..!
Up through the trees ahead of me to the right… I saw a huge white bird perched on top of a dead tree! I honestly thought - I know it isn’t a Snowy Owl - but who is it?? It was hard for me to see through the trees to get a good clean look. Unfortunately I was on a part of the road where I couldn’t just pull over. I knew going forward any further would likely flush the bird and I couldn’t back up… So I went forward as slowly as possible …. and just as I was getting a better view of the bird it flew off and crossed the road out of my view! I then looked ahead and saw that I could pull over about 20 feet further. I drove slowly up to the spot, pulled over and jumped out of the car - I knew the temps were a little above freezing now - so I did not take the time for face mask, hat etc. I grabbed my camera and got down low and crossed the road. This was still Mass Wildlife property so I was able to walk into the field constantly looking to see if I could spot the white bird… just as I made my way behind some trees I spotted the bird again! I immediately took this shot to document that I wasn’t dreaming!
Wow!!!
Using the trees as a screen I made my way a little closer… I still can’t believe this all happened. I kept saying to myself - what raptor is this????
And then a little closer… what a breathtaking bird!
After I took the shot above I took my face away from my camera just to stand and watch this incredible creature. I was able to watch for quite a few minutes before he turned and flew away….
This encounter left me speechless… and still takes my breath away thinking about it - how could it not? Thank you to everyone who immediately did research for me - what I have learned is that this is a Leucistic Red-tailed Hawk - which is extremely rare. By some estimates only .01% of the entire population of Red-tailed Hawks in North America is Leucistic. This condition is the partial loss of pigmentation.
I just keep thinking…. .01%…. And then I think…. what are the chances of seeing a Barred Owl and a Leucistic Red-tailed Hawk in the same morning! :). I guess just about anything can be possible in this world.
I am grateful for each of you in my life.. I love how much you enjoy and respect our Natural World- wishing you all a peaceful Thanksgiving.