Autumn’s Signature Foliage

Druid Ridge Autumn 2014

Autumn’s irresistible pleasure; a dazzling palette of golden yellow, fiery orange, and blazing red foliage.

Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus)

Double-crested Cormorant’s Spread-Wing Posture in which they extend and often slightly droop their wings. This behavior is commonly described as “sunbathing” or “wing-drying.”

Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)

The Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) is an Eagle-sized bird, with blackish-brownish plumage and a distinctive red head which contrasts strongly with its sharply hooked whitish beak.

This bird of prey is usually seen soaring over the countryside and is the most common and widespread of the New World vultures found throughout the United States.

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)

Red-tailed hawk perched on a fence post (in early Autumn).

Groundhog (Marmota monax),

The Groundhog (Marmota monax), also known as a woodchuck, is well adapted for digging, with short but powerful limbs and curved, thick claws. The groundhog prefers open country and the edges of woodland, and is rarely far from a burrow entrance. Outside their burrow, Groundhogs remain alert when they’re not actively feeding. It is not uncommon to see a nearly-motionless Groundhog standing erect on its hind feet watching for danger, as the Groundhog pictured here. Taken at the office.

Bewick’s Swan (Cygnus columbianus bewickii)

Although they were considered separate species in the past, The Tundra Swan and Bewick’s Swan are in fact considered the same species. These graceful white birds are distinguished by the large yellow patches on their face. This species is named after the illustrator Thomas Bewick who died in 1828 and produced many fine drawings of this species during his lifetime.