And just like that, summer is coming to an end. Sure, the autumnal equinox is still weeks away but hordes of students and teachers returning to school will argue that mere phenological semantics. Fortunately, those of us in the U.S. get a longer weekend to chase our fancies. So where are you going this weekend and will you be watching birds? Comment below on the excitement you have planned!
I still have no idea what I’m doing this weekend, though if I don’t get outside for at least part of it, I should be shot. Corey will undoubtedly be on the prowl for rare New York birds for as many waking hours as he can muster though he’s probably also planning our strategy for an upcoming bird race we’re involved in (details to follow!) Our very fortunate friend Charlie will be in Nigeria, stalking the Lagos Botanical Gardens to look for Speckled Barbet and White-fronted Chat.
While you’re getting ready for your last summer blast, be sure to celebrate Sky Watch Friday…
Watch the skies for cool kites, like this immature Black-winged Kite (your local species may vary!)
And if you like this juvenile, check out this striking adult.
Like you I don’t have the slightest idea, but unlike you (being shot – if not going out) I probably will be tared and feathered. Being in the south and all. 😉
I will however probably head over to the local state park and do some butterflying.
Great SWF – with this Kite!
Cheers, Klaus and have a great Labor Day weekend, ya’ all!
A beautiful capture, Mike! We too get this cute raptor over here and I quite like to see the way it hovers to look for food.
This weekend I will go birding in my local patch….pretty much.
As I am one of those returning to school teachers, I need to work a bit the next two days. But just a bit and then I will enjoy the rest of the holiday with doing nothing, just relaxing:-) Perhaps I will walk to the river to feed ducks with my small niece.
Your sky watch is a perfect one. Have a nice weekend and happy skywatching:-)
I’m heading north to South Carolina to see the family. Along the way I should be birding in Georgia and of course on the family farm in SC. What I want to see is a Hooded Warbler, this one has been evading me this year.
It depends on what Gustav decides to do. I might be here at Piazza Uccello or out on one of the local beaches, or both. We’ll just have to see.
Charlie, do you know who Bob and Lucy Duncan are? They’re big-time birders around here and live on property that allows them to see and, more importantly, identify an amazing variety of migrating birds flying over the Gulf of Mexico. They are a veritable clearing house of information about birding in the Southeastern US and are dedicated to wildlife conservation.
PS Your SWF photo is the one I wish I took. ;>)
I’m not sure yet exactly what I’m going to be doing this holiday weekend, but it will definitely be something outdoors. Hope you have a nice weekend. Love your Kite photo, it’s very beautiful.
I’m actually headed to upstate New York now…and hope to find some migrants.
Great shot. I used to watch my garden´s bird visitors.