With the bird migration now in full swing, I decided to drive down to the end of Minnesota Point at sunrise this morning. Raptors were very much in evidence. There is a 1,000 yard long gauntlet from the Park Point Recreation Area to where pines trees start anew further down the point. Predators are very aware of this fact and wait to ambush non wary birds.
In addition to the hawks and eagles that lay in wait, I found “red” trying to catch some breakfast. Not only was it cool to watch the Red Fox, it was made more special knowing that Susan Larson Kidd’s and my latest children’s book would arrive imminently from the publisher. Yup, Susan has written another beginning readers book, and I have provided the photographs. This now makes five children’s books I have either written / photographed myself, or collaborated with Susan.
Here is this morning’s fox:
And some screenshots from the new book (available real soon): Ruby Hears a Knock!
Cover
Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Oh yes, I did mention more than red was hunting this morning. A couple of Merlins were sitting in a dead three halfway along the gauntlet. Songbirds pass at your peril. Unfortunately this route is the only way south along the point. (fyi … Merlins are actually a kind of falcon … thus not a hawk)
Just when I think all birds are fledged, with the bug birds well into their migration, I get fooled. Earlier today I met the Cardinal twins. These youngsters obviously fledged just within the past day or two … quite late on August 27th. I have to wonder if this is a second nesting for my local cardinals, or if the first nest failed. Regardless, August 27th is very late.
The other excitement today was a large flock of Cedar Waxwings enjoying my Mountain Ash Tree berries, or at least they will until a Coopers Hawk snagged one. My yard was bird free for a quite a while after that point, and I did see the hawk again about one hour later.
Northern Cardinal
Cardinal Fledgling (begging)
Dad arrives with food!
