audubon.org
This is the most widespread and familiar large hawk in North America, bulky and broad-winged, designed for effortless soaring. An inhabitant of open country, it is commonly seen perched on roadside poles or sailing over fields and woods. Although adults usually can be recognized by the trademark reddish-brown tail, the rest of their plumage can be quite variable, especially west of the Mississippi: Western Red-tails can range from blackish to rufous-brown to nearly white.
Phee-ewww-weee! (No, that’s not the sound the Red-tailed Hawk makes. That’s me, breathing a sigh of relief because the wildfire smoke that has plagued us since August 17th has finally abated, but not before earning Quincy the ignominious distinction of World’s Worst Air Quality.)
Tiresome, depressing, noxious, hazardous, natural. Natural?
Yes, this smoke is here courtesy of Earth’s natural forces, namely lightning. I wrote about it in a previous Daily Bucket, Smoke Gets In Your Eyes.
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The Daily Bucket is a nature refuge. We amicably discuss animals, weather, climate, soil, plants, waters and note life’s patterns.
We invite you to note what you are seeing around you in your own part of the world, and to share your observations in the comments below.
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Two fires, the Claremont and the Bear, only a few miles away from Quincy, have been the primary source of the smoke. I was beginning to wonder if it would ever go away. Well, of course it will (and did) eventually. So it was time to take a walk. The smoke had abated and nature awaited. Or, the smoke had diminished but I wasn’t finished.
American Valley, looking west.
American Valley, looking east.
I was anxious to see some wildlife. Any would do, just to lift my spirits. The simplest songbird would be fine. And it was.
Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis)
Continuing my walk, within just a few steps of taking the above photos a Great Blue Heron took off right in front of me and gracefully flew away. No chance for a photo. Luckily, I had taken a couple of photos of odd birds just a few minutes before, conveniently sitting still. In fact, the fact that they were sitting still eased my mind. When these aren’t flying it means they’re not needed. That’s a good thing.
At the end of the walk (the path ends at a gated fence) I arrived at my vantage point where I took the title photo of the Red-tailed Hawks. It was grand to see them again. I wonder if this is one of them, hunting alone.
Photo taken August 25, near same location as title photo, but this post is about ¼ mile away from the tree.
Heading back I was graced with these two small butterflies. Thanks to the cool of the morning they were photo-obliging. They are usually very active and will flitter-flutter off before I can even get within a couple of feet of them. Many thanks to Bucketeer giddy thing for assistance with identification. I’d have had a hard time otherwise. Neither of these very small butterflies is shown in my go-to book, John Muir Laws’ Field Guide to the Sierra Nevada, even though they are ubiquitous here.
Ochre Ringlet (Coenonympha tullia ssp. california)
Purplish Copper (Lycaena helloides)
I didn’t see any Canada Geese either flying or on the ground but I did hear them.
I was also glad to see a “parade” of departing firefighters. Love ya, dudes and dudettes, but don’t hurry back. Unless you need to. Then please HURRY back.
This was one of about a dozen or more firefighter trucks that rolled past. From Tahoe National Forest.
Private contractor firefighter unit.
This says it all, but it doesn’t say enough.
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Now It's Your Turn
What have you noted happening in your area or travels? As usual post your observations as well as their general location in the comments.
Thank you.
