I wonder why my neighbor’s paper isn’t being delivered?
This one is for Garth: check out the eyes! Then one blink later the eyes were fine. Do hawks have a protective covering?
I wonder why my neighbor’s paper isn’t being delivered?
This one is for Garth: check out the eyes! Then one blink later the eyes were fine. Do hawks have a protective covering?
Excellent shots Carole! Looks like you will be getting some new human neighbors?
Wow what awsome photographs! Just took a look on the Fish and Wildlife website and found the following:
Nictitating membrane: Protective eye membrane which extends across the eye from the inside corner and serves to protect it from dirt, struggles of prey.
Makes sense when you think about it.
@Andrea
Exactly correct, Andrea. Birds don’t blink, the nictitating membrane is used to lubricate the eye, and also to protect the eye. On many animals it’s translucent, like on birds of prey, so they don’t lose their vision when “blinking”. It if often called a “third eyelid”, and moves horizontally across the eye on birds.
Great photograph of the nictitating membrane!
I had a pileated woodpecker at my feeder this weekend, but was unable to get a photo of it. It’s nice to see them back at the feeders.
You certainly amazed the reference staff at the library yesterday!
Ann
Andrea, Excellent job at research! We learn all types of things from this blog. I have never been that close to a hawk in the wild. It was rather creepy seeing that third eyelid!
Garth, I have yet to get good photos of a pileated woodpecker. I have a few around here, but I’m never close enough for a good shot.
Now that it is winter, it might be time for another trip to Lake Woodruff. The gators are slower in colder weather. 😉
Great photos, Carole. Believe it or not, there is a hawk in our neighborhood who has been dining quite well off the pigeons roosting in a neighbor’s overhang. I have watched him swoop in, pluck a pigeon, and carry it off for dinner. I’ve been keeping an eye on Whiskey and Louie in the yard….Whiskey, especially, is pretty little!
Maybe this hawk wasn’t waiting for the News Journal. I went out this morning and found two sitting on my fence! This hawk has been without a pal for a couple of years.