All About Pocket Knives

Knice eagles Ike and Mel.

Nice pic, Mel. I would imagine you see many interesting birds down there while you are out fishing. Any good Peregrine photos?

Fine eagle shots Ike and Mel.

These are from November 1947, New York newspapers.
Caption(s), if any, are on the BOTTOM of the corresponding picture(s).
Click on a picture to ENLARGE (Not pictures #2 & #3).

This fella found an early Christmas gift, a breakfast Possum!

I was driving back from an early morning Kroger run the other day when I saw a very large bird coming across the fields in my direction. I quickly recognized it as a Great Blue Heron which is rare in this ranching area. But he crossed in front of me into the wood line which follows the creek. He flew a few feet above the water staying even with my car. Eventually, I left him behind feeling a bit regretful towards him because he had certainly picked out the inviting stretch of water to claim his breakfast. He would learn that the creek is an intermittent stream devoid of fish.

I saw a Kingfisher once optimistically take up position near the creek. His disappointment must have been keen.

Speaking of Herons reminds me of a road trip I took some years ago. I drove from LA to British Columbia. Along the entire west coast, Great Blue Herons were the most common of birds. I thought their population must be incredibly large. Thru California, Oregon, and Washington I saw not one Eagle. However, passing thru customs at the Canadian border was a shock. Within no more than 1 minute from the border I saw 6 Bald Eagles. It seems to me their patriotism deserves to be questioned.

Quick Steel wrote: ↑Thu Dec 23, 2021 7:59 pm It seems to me their patriotism deserves to be questioned.

Waukonda wrote: ↑Sun Dec 19, 2021 11:31 pm Nice pic, Mel. I would imagine you see many interesting birds down there while you are out fishing. Any good Peregrine photos?

Ike, I have never made a positive ID of a Peregrine in my life. So no photos from me. The Peregrines do pass through this area on migration. I have seen some good photos by others! We do have a lot of good birds here right now. The raptors are my favorites. Northern Harriers, Ospreys, and Bald Eagles are fairly common to see over the marsh areas.

I have to admit that when I am fishing, if the fish are biting then I have very little attention to spare for things like eagles and falcons. My wife could say something like "Look at that Peregrine!" and I would probably say "Never mind that, hand me the net!"

These articles are from December 1947, New York newspapers.
Caption(s), if any, are on the BOTTOM of the corresponding picture(s).
Click on a picture to ENLARGE.

Dinadan wrote: ↑Fri Dec 24, 2021 4:45 pm

Waukonda wrote: ↑Sun Dec 19, 2021 11:31 pm Nice pic, Mel. I would imagine you see many interesting birds down there while you are out fishing. Any good Peregrine photos?

My wife could say something like "Look at that Peregrine!" and I would probably say "Never mind that, hand me the net!"

Mel, I don't know why I was thinking of Peregrines when I made that post. I realized my mistake when I saw your response, I had meant to say Osprey.

More articles from December 1947, New York newspapers.
Caption(s), if any, are on the BOTTOM of the corresponding picture(s).
Click on the picture to ENLARGE.

These are from January 1948, New York newspapers.
Caption(s), if any, are on the BOTTOM of the corresponding picture(s).
Click on a picture to ENLARGE (Not pictures #1 & #2).

With all the Carolina Wrens and Carolina Chickadees I'm seeing, I think I will soon have to begin referring to my Carolina Blue Jays.

There has been a definite uptick in bird activity around my house the last couple of days. Here are pics of a few of the ground feeders, including a good look at why this Sparrow was given the name White Throated. I also saw this Robin, looking a little shell-shocked at the temp being in the teens.

Ike, what is the bird in the top photo? The beak looks like a Cardinal's but on my computer the bird is entirely black.

Quick Steel wrote: ↑Mon Jan 03, 2022 4:00 am Ike, what is the bird in the top photo? The beak looks like a Cardinal's but on my computer the bird is entirely black.

Junco Look closely, the under belly is white.

More articles from January 1948, New York newspapers.
Caption(s), if any, are on the BOTTOM of the corresponding picture(s).
Click on a picture to ENLARGE (Not pictures #2 & #3).

Thank you Phil. Got it.


Skip, that was a parrot worth knowing.

As I drove up our hill near noon I saw a large Red-Tailed Hawk sitting atop a telephone pole. He has been around a couple of weeks. As I was unloading groceries from the car I saw the hawk was gone. Looking up I saw not only him but a magnificent adult male Bald Eagle!
The sunlight radiated off that wonderful white head. Both the eagle and the hawk made slow circles around each other. Eventually, the Eagle headed off, perhaps to Tennesee.

Great pics Ike.

Looks like a nice assemblage of birds there, Ike.

Waukonda wrote: ↑Sun Jan 02, 2022 11:52 pm There has been a definite uptick in bird activity around my house the last couple of days. Here are pics of a few of the ground feeders, including a good look at why this Sparrow was given the name White Throated. I also saw this Robin, looking a little shell-shocked at the temp being in the teens.

Ike we’ve been seeing a few more with the cold weather also. They’re eating a lot more .
Here’s some doves . They have been coming in by the dozens lately.. didn’t realize that Doves flock up ?

Pileated Woodpecker....

Articles from February 1948, New York newspapers.
Caption(s), if any, are on the BOTTOM of the corresponding picture(s).
Click on a picture to ENLARGE (Not picture #4).

Scott, fine shot of the PW. Ther are a magnificent bird.