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| High-Mountain Roadrunners |
Went on a fast birding trip with my good friend and mentor, George Steele, yesterday. We went from home to Tupper Lake to Saranac Lake to Lake Ontario, stopping along to way to look for winter finches, Canada Jays, and hopefully some Short-eared and Snowy Owls. We missed the owls, but everything else was downright rewarding.
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| Canada Jay |
We began our mountain tour long before sunup. As we entered the Adirondacks we were treated to a full moon that rivaled daylight, setting ice fog aglow on the snowy peaks and striping shadows like ancient ink drawings across the silent marshes and bogs.
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| I love the mountains |
As it set behind the nearby heights the sun began to tickle the tops of the peaks to the east. Within what seemed like only minutes it was daylight. Soon we were at Sabattis Circle Road where we failed to find the usually ubiquitous Canada Jays but were surprised instead by a flight of Pine Siskins, one of which nearly flew in my ear, and gritting flocks of both kinds of crossbills.
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| White-winged Crossbill |
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| Pine Siskin |
At Bloomingdale Bog we found the Canada Jays, or maybe I should say they found us. Long known as “camp robbers” they seemed downright fascinated by the peanuts we brought along, although they would not land on my hand to get them. They have to be the fluffiest, cutest, kind of jay on the continent.
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| Rough-legged Hawk |
Then we were off to Peninsula Point on Lake Ontario. We encountered all sorts of birds there, most notably 27 (!!!!) Rough-legged Hawks. They were everywhere, even in groups of four or five squabbling over prey. We watched a Bald Eagle engage in aerial combat until it robbed one of its dinner. It must have been something fairly substantial, as the eagle sat on it for quite a while.
It was fun. The mountains are glorious wrapped in a thick mantle of snow, sometimes feet thick on individual branches, and the air is elixir of joy to breathe. I do love those mountains and the critters that live there.
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| Bloomingdale Bog Trail |
Mad props to George for somewhere around fifteen hours of challenging driving into and across the mountains, then back down into the valley and home.
He and his wife Anita have a new book coming out next month that seems very appealing. It is a children’s book about a blind girl who enjoys identifying birds by their songs. I encourage you to check it out.
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| Fluffy little Camp Robber |
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2025-02-13 18:04:00
Karl Hoffman is a distinguished agriculturalist with over four decades of experience in sustainable farming practices. He holds a Ph.D. in Agronomy from Cornell University and has made significant contributions as a professor at Iowa State University. Hoffman’s groundbreaking research on integrated pest management and soil health has revolutionized modern agriculture. As a respected farm journalist, his column “Field Notes with Karl Hoffman” and his blog “The Modern Farmer” provide insightful, practical advice to a global audience. Hoffman’s work with the USDA and the United Nations FAO has enhanced food security worldwide. His awards include the USDA’s Distinguished Service Award and the World Food Prize, reflecting his profound impact on agriculture and sustainability.
