Juvenile Red-Tailed Hawk

After the red-tailed fox visited yesterday morning, the other red-tailed, the hawk that is, paid a visit. (as always, click on the photo to get a closer look.)
Specifically, this is a red-tailed hawk, light form, juvenile. He lacks the dramatic red tail of an adult.
The cry of the red-tailed hawk is so distinctive (from other hawks and the blue jays) that I knew one was visiting even while sitting in the house and in front of the computer.
The Cornell Ornithology site says, "The raspy cry of the Red-tailed Hawk is used in movies to represent any eagle or hawk anywhere in the world." Visit their site to find a link where you can hear the red-tailed hawk cry.

Red-Tailed Fox Relaxing, Hunting, Scratching, and Stretching

It was a classic, cold, gray, and damp November morning in the Colvin Run Habitat. The red-tailed fox, who had visited several mornings this week, arrived and promptly laid down in the grass for a nap.
When no squirrels arrived, this young fox became increasingly interested in the mourning doves eating sunflower seeds off of the ground. Finally, the fox made his run, only to have the doves fly away (note the dove in flight in the second photo).
He paused for a photo and allowed me to confirm his good health.
Then, still enjoying the slow Saturday morning, sat down to scratch behind his ear.
Then with undulating movement, he stretched his back and leg muscles before before beginning his departure trot.

Young Red-Tailed Fox Returns

Look who paid a visit to the Colvin Run Habitat this morning. This young fox made his second visit to the Habitat; he first visited on August 30.
When first observed, this fox was laying on the grass in a open part of the lawn and mulched garden area. He was extremely comfortable; at one point he nearly dozed off.
At one point, something caught his attention. As the next door neighbor's dog was not out, I am guessing that the fox heard a squirrel. Given his height and the height of the shrubs, I do not belief he saw anything. In response, the fox stood up, then sat on his back legs. He then jogged through the shrubs and bounced up onto a stone bench (see last photo which does not really show the fox's face or the bench). This is not the first fox to perch on this bench to get a view above the shrubs.
As can be seen from these photos, the fox appears healthy with clear eyes, a full coat and tail, and great color. This is the smallest of the foxes that have ever visited the Habitat. This youngster stayed four minutes, then exited exactly as he did on his last visit.

Bees Visit the Hummingbird Feeder

The hummingbird feeder is an amazing draw for a number of different birds. This bee seems to enjoy the sugar water as much as the hummingbirds.

Toad Shows in the Daylight

Although sunny, it was a cool day in the Habitat. Which is why this American Toad may have been enjoying the relative warm of the driveway asphalt.
The toads are seen only rarely during daylight. After a few photos, this guy sought out the dampness under one of the azalea bushes.

Moth Comes a-Knocking

We seldom have a visitor appear at the front door. This visitor did not really knock and was certainly not invited in the house.One of the great benefits of a glass front door is the ability to photograph the underside of moths and other insects that come 'a-knocking'. No clue as to the type, but he was fun to observe.

Hawk Migration???

On two successive days this week, a Cooper's Hawk was observed perched on one of the bird feeders in the Colvin Run Habitat. On this day, the squirrels and crows continued to feed on the ground not too far away.With one possible exception in early June, the very active Coops of the last winter have not been observed since late February. With a little luck, the Cooper's Hawks have migrated back into town.

This photo was taken by my wife - congrats on taking the shot and your first Internet publication!

Follow-up: After initially writing this post and while looking out the window, a Cooper's Hawk swooped down from above the house. His prey, a goldfinch drinking from the birdbath, narrowly escaped. The event was over in 3 seconds.

Deer Fawn Enjoys the Butterfly Bush

The smallest of this year's new born is doing just fine. He and his slightly larger sibling stop by often to eat the flowers, shrubs, and tree leaves. In the first photo, the fawn munches on the bush planted recently to encourage the butterflies to stop by.

Of course, as seen in this second photo, mother deer is always close around and watching me watch the young.

Meet Rascal

The next time that I report wildlife from Texas, you can expect to see more of this young pup. This is Rascal, a male lab-boxer mix.
He was adopted from the Fort Worth Humane Society and is officially 2 months old as of yesterday. Looking at those paws - well - can you say large boy?

Northern Flicker Observed

 

As with other birds such as the hummingbirds, we have seen a noticeable decline in the number of northern flicker woodpeckers and red-bellied woodpeckers in the Colvin Run Habitat this summer.

 

So, it was a great thrill to see this flicker appear during a day in July. Of course, the flicker feeds on the ground unlike most other woodpeckers.

 

This flicker was enjoying the many ants that grace the slate pathway.

 

Speaking of Butterflies

Speaking of butterflies (see yesterday's post), here is another variety observed in the Colvin Run Habitat this past summer.

I am not sure whether I am more observant this year in finding butterflies or whether they are really more noticeable this year. Either case, they are fun to see and photograph.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Here is the Virginia state insect, the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail. This fellow was enjoying one of the only flowers that the deer seem to not eat in the Colvin Run Habitat.

By the looks of this guys, he has seen some tough going as the trailing edges of the wings are clearly damaged.

This photo was taken during a hot summer day in July.

There are better butterfly photos posted at http://crhabitat.blogspot.com/search/label/Butterfly.

Baffled Squirrel

I can always tell the new squirrels coming to the Colvin Run Habitat - they try to reach the top of the bird feeders.

The other squirrels have long ago accepted the baffle that blocks the path, but the new guys always spend 5 or 1o minutes trying anyway.

The squirrel population noticeably peaked in July and demonstrably decreased in August. Possible reasons? The drought, and a likely resultant increase in rabies. August is a time for new born squirrels. And, lastly, the return of the fox, although I have never seen the squirrel population decrease that significantly due to a fox.

Hummingbird Migration in Full Swing

The number of hummingbirds observed in the Colvin Run Habitat this past summer was disappointing. I believe that the low numbers was due to the drought currently being experienced in the mid-Atlantic states.However, beginning the third week of August the number rose dramatically. Instead of seeing a hummingbird once a week, several were observed every morning and evening. The observed hummingbirds were clearly distinct as they were of different sizes. The hummingbirds are most likely passing through on their way to Central America for the winter.
I have never observed hummingbirds as aggressive - they not only chased each other from the feeders, but they also chased other birds - finches, titmice, and on one occasion a cardinal. These photos were taken as the sun came up one morning.This female (third photo-no red throat as in the male below) made a rare mid-day appearance. After she shared the feeder with a bee interested in the sugar water, she perched on the dogwood and posed for me (first two photos). I was able to approach to within ten feet.
This male paid a more typical sunrise visit. The low light of the early morning is the reason for the poorer photo quality of the last two photos.
Remember that these birds are about the length of an adult human's ring finger.

Blogger and Red-Tailed Fox Return

I took the last month off - for a variety of unintended reasons. But, like the fox pictured here, I am back.

A fox was last seen in the Colvin Run Habitat in very late June. Over the last 15 months, there have been at least 4 distinct foxes that have been observed multiple times. The fox shown in these photos appeared first in late June and on the last day of August.

He arrived this time at sunrise, which is the reason (or shall I say my excuse) for the low light conditions and hence poor photo quality.

He seemed to appear out of the overgrown holly bush in the Habitat where he seems to spend time. He then checked out the bird feeders and headed in to the nearby brush. Running down stairs and onto the porch, I managed to get these photos as he sat and observed the neighbor's beagle.

As you can see from the photos, every once in a while he would look over at me, though I was making very, very little noise. His visit lasted a total of 6 minutes. My wife has named this fox "Frisky" because of his quick appearances and disappearances.

Overrun by White-tailed Deer and Texas Longhorns

No doubt that the white-tailed deer population is overrunning the Colvin Run Habitat. At dawn and dusk each day, this year's fawns and their mother, now joined what I believe are last year's two fawns, come through the Habitat for a drink and meal of fresh green trees, shrubs, and any remaining flowers. On the front street, you are equally likely to find at least another family of deer as well.
But, our problems are nothing compared to the people in the City of Southlake, Tarrant County, Texas, who are being overrun by stampeding longhorns. The only thing is the Southlake Longhorns are of the City's own making.
To celebrate its 50th anniversary, Southlake is hosting a public art exhibit featuring these Southlake Stampede Longhorns. These longhorns can be seen at the Southlake Town Square (located on Southlake Blvd, off of Highway 114). Grab some Piccomolo Italian Ice Cream and walk the town square to see the longhorns. Better yet, grab some Frappuccino at the Starbucks and use their wifi net to access the Colvin Run Habitat Blog.
While all of the longhorn art are sensational, my favorite is Darth Mooder (last photo) by artist Christina Keith sponsored by Philip Wise.
From the Colvin Run Habitat, to the people of Southlake, Happy Anniversary and keep all of those green spaces green.