On the Road is a weekday feature spotlighting reader photo submissions.
From the exotic to the familiar, whether you’re traveling or in your own backyard, we would love to see the world through your eyes.
Fun week ahead, at least here at On the Road!
P.S. I would not want to meet that American Robin in a dark alley. He looks seriously pissed off!
Albatrossity
Spring here has been cool, slow and late, but the inexorable push north that many birds make every year continues regardless. Here are some images from late winter and early spring, documenting that urge to move, to create the next generation, and to continue the cycle of renewal.
American Robins (Turdus migratorius) are commonly believed to be harbingers of spring; in reality, they are present year-round in much of North America. The robins you see in the winter may not be the same individuals that brighten your yard in March, but that is for them to know and for you to winder about. Click here for larger image.
Red-shouldered Hawks (Buteo lineatus) are typically denizens of forested areas, so I was a bit surprised to see this youngster out in the middle of a Flint Hills prairie. They seem to be doing well here, however. I usually see one (or more) on any day that I can spend a few hours birdwatching here. They are an excellent recent addition to the local avifauna. Click here for larger image.
A while back it was hypothesized that the northern subspecies of Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis abieticola), like the western (B. j. calurus) and the Harlan’s subspecies (B. j. harlani), might have both light-morph and dark-morph individuals. That hypothesis has now been supported by evidence from birds tagged with GPS transmitters, which, like all good science, leads to lots of other questions. This bird, which in the past would have been identified by Kansas birders as belonging to the western/calurus subspecies, is probably one of those dark-morph northern birds, even though it does not sport a fancy GPS transmitter. Click here for larger image.
Many different kinds of ducks pass through here in March. This pair of Common Goldeneyes (Bucephala clangula) is headed north to Canada to breed; hopefully they will not be tariffed when they return in the fall. Here is an interesting map of their migration; twirl the globe around and see the migration routes for the European and eastern Asia populations. Click here for larger image.
And here are the proverbial ducks in a row. Yeah, it’s a ragged row, but ducks are even harder to herd than cats! Click here for larger image.
In March our local Red-tailed Hawks (Buteo jamaicensis borealis) are paired up and building nests. One can often see them perched quite close together, in poses as companionable as can be imagined for a fierce raptor. Click here for larger image.
The star vocalist prize for Early Spring Songster goes to the Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus). In decades past they did not winter here in any numbers; now we see them year-round and in large numbers. But in the spring the flocks break up, and the males find conspicuous perches from which to broadcast their availability and attractiveness. Click here for larger image.
The local Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) start nesting in January here, and have eggs nearly ready to hatch, or already hatched, in March. The pair that built this nest has had a string of bad luck in recent years. In 2023 the nest tree burned down in a fire in May; the young birds had not yet fledged and so it’s likely they perished. In 2024 they built a new nest, about a half-mile from the old site, and that nest blew out of the tree (with eggs or babies) in an April windstorm, This 2025 nest is much smaller than the old mansions, and very close to the road, but so far they are still there and feeding at least one eaglet. Fingers crossed. Click here for larger image.
When the migrant Red-tailed Hawks depart, the Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura) return. These guys winter not very far south of us, but so far have not yet become an expected member of our winter avifauna. I suspect that will happen, and probably sooner rather than later. Click here for larger image.
We’ll end with this mammal rather than a bird, and perhaps a caption contest. My nominee is “Does this bale make my ass look fat?” Chime in with your caption in the comments! Click here for larger image.
War for Ukraine Day 1,172: This Deal Is Getting Worse All the Time
zhena gogolia
Fun fact: the Russian word for goldeneye duck is gogol
zhena gogolia
I’m enjoying the red-winged blackbirds in a marsh near our house. I love their song, have loved it since childhood.
lowtechcyclist
Just tossed $51.02 into the PA SC fund.
Jeffg166
As a kid in the 50s when winter showed up early and stayed a long time robins disappeared in the winter and returned in the spring. Now they are here year round.
Dr. Jakyll and Miss Deride
If I look at it one way, it’s a baleful gaze. If I look at it another way, it’s a come-hither expression (“Hay there!”).
stinger
That red-wing has chosen a most appropriate perch! I’m surprised you could hold the camera steady for laughing!
The cow looks as if it has been caught doing something naughty (or nice), like a lady stepping out of her bath. But I can’t top Dr. Jakyll’s quips.
Albatrossity
@Dr. Jakyll and Miss Deride: Good ones!
HinTN
@lowtechcyclist: It’s a lovely palindrome you’ve got there.
Betty Cracker
Beautiful photos as always — thanks for sharing with us!
Thanks also for the info on RWBB behavior. They’re around all year, but I have noticed that at certain seasons, huge flocks takeover entire trees and drown out all other birdsong with their melodious twittering, whereas smaller groups are prevalent during other times. It all makes sense now; large flocks have broken down into harem-sized units for nesting.
SteveinPHX
Thank you for photos. In a rush today. Cute cow.
JAM
Thanks for all the birds, Albatrossity. I hope the eaglets make it and you can get pictures for us.
rusty
Thank you for the uplifting pictures this morning, I didn’t have a good start this morning but these really brightened me up. The red wing black bird and turkey vulture really stand out.
MCat
Thanks. Hard to start this morning. Your photos really help. I love the hawks.
Trivia Man
Caption:
Feeling cute, might fart later. IDK
WaterGirl
Love the cow!
Also, I have to note that 2 OTR posts were submitted last night within minutes of each other – both were car-related, which is unusual enough, but they were from two totally different people.
Did anyone dream about cars last night? Seems like there must be something happening here. :-)
BigJimSlade
Caption: even this bale is trying to tip me over!
WaterGirl
@BigJimSlade: Well done!
mvr
Late in the day but try not to miss Albatrossity Mondays. don’t always succeed but I’m old and overcommitted.
Love the Red-shouldered photo for what it is. It has atmosphere and adversity (or at least barren landscape) and a raptor. What more could one want?
Also like the artistry of the ducks in a row.
Thanks as always!
Gloria DryGarden
Albatrossity, your photos are always astonishing. I’m enjoying the baleful gaze of your cow.
mvr, you are not old. Do you think you are old?
I guess it’s all relative..
Don L
“Are you sure you lost it in here?”
ArchTeryx
Red-Tails mate for life, and they are far more closely bonded and affectionate than you’d ever expect for a pair of hawks. The “steam whistle” call that’s the Stock Raptor Sound Effect, is often used by mates to “ping” one another in mid-air. It’s to reassure each other that they are okay and in range, and it also helps strengthen their bond. They’ll also use lesser versions of it to call their chicks, or just vocalize displeasure at something.
I’ve also seen a pair of Red-Tails preening one another’s heads. That’s both really important (blood on the feathers will seriously mess them up and they can’t reach their faces) and it apparently feels quite good. The other one will lean right into the preens, and even turn their head upside down!
There’s so much more to these animals than meets the eye. Even for something like a bird of prey.