Hawk Mtn. Sanctuary

I was going to share my collection from the fall migration afterward; however, today was extraordinary, and I wanted to share what I captured just from today. With a cold front pushing in and favorable winds, I had a gut feeling that it would be best to take the journey up to Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association today. With a direct push to the north lookout, rumors of bald eagles and a golden eagle already counted. Excitement grew as we reached closer to the north lookout. Carefully placed feet, a few rock scrambles, and a few stops to admire what autumn leaves remained along the horizon, we reached the summit.

Bald eagles soared overhead as I began to unpack, missing them, yet moments later, two red-tailed hawks jousted and interlocked talons just overhead. After a brief lull and guard down, a flock of snow buntings flew directly in front of the lookout, landing briefly before flying off into the wind. Turkey vultures and distant bald eagles would follow shortly after that. Descending the mountain, my father and I shared our thoughts, making quick haste back to South Lookout, where we shared our experiences.

We would later catch a presentation at the amphitheater where a senior education intern shared migration facts, how to identify birds in the sky along with having a red-tailed hawk and screech owl, which were nice to see up close after viewing raptors quite a distance in the sky.