pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"/>
Last May we were scheduled to spend two weeks at Kiptopeke State Park, renowned as a location for viewing hawks in the United States. We were unable to make our original timeframe but after spending time with our energetic birding friends Shaun and Cindy in Cape May, NJ we decided to include Kiptopeke in our southbound routing. We've been here two days and had thought we'd move on because the weather had been sultry and not good for bird movement. Last night a cool front came through and today was a specatular fall day complete with what we had hoped for, some great viewing of hawks, eagles and of course vulchers and gulls. Our list is growing but our best bird sighting list still remains Cape May. Here are three interesting photos taken when one of the Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory banders, Zack, brought one of the two Red Tailed Hawks captured and released this morning. 
Photos taken with Canon G5, Property of S.Girdis
I can only imagine what this fantastic creature is thinking as three enthusiastic individuals point noisy and protruding machinery right into it's face. I feel bad but not enough to NOT take the photos. This was a terrific opportunity and we're hoping for more as we travel to as many of the national refuges as we can find. A link to an out of print book that one of our fellow observers recommended will be on the left column (as I found this fantastic book for about $3.00 at Amazon).
In addition to this 1st year Red Tailed Hawk we were fortunate to see at least six Bald Eagles, two groups of Tundra Swans, one Red Shouldered Hawk, a group of Pelicans, two Osprey and the long awaited Golden Eagle (this is the fourth sighting at Kiptopeke this season).
We are pretty much officially hooked on this birding hobby. We delayed our departure to be sure to see all that is available today here at Eastern Shore. Tomorrow is another day and anyway....we're retired!
