State Line Lookout Continues to Impress!

I was at State Line Lookout on Monday (10-22-12) along with several expert counters and a couple highly exceptional photographers.  An adult and a few juvenile Bald Eagles, Red-shouldered Hawk, Northern Goshawk, Northern Harrier, Cooper's Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk and Red-tailed Hawk were the raptors observed.  I apparently had just missed a Short-eared Owl that had flown by about a half hour earlier at eye level.  The resident Peregrines were also out shortly before I arrived and unfortunately never made another appearance.  A Golden Eagle was seen the day before flying down the Hudson.  This was the first recorded Golden Eagle at State Line this year!

Eastern Palm Warblers (above) and Yellow-rumped Warblers were feeding on insects the entire time I was there.  When the raptor action died down I just turned around and there they were along the cliff edges.

The resident Red-tailed Hawks always put on a show, however, it was thought that this one might have been a migrant that happened to be sticking around a bit.  His or her colors were distinct from the resident.

Common Ravens can be seen on a daily basis at State Line.  Once uncommon, this bird has made an incredible comeback in northern New Jersey in the post-DDT era.  They are still very uncommon in southern Jersey, aside from the Pine Barrens area.

Sharp-shinned Hawk aka "Sharpie"

Black Vulture

As my luck would have it I ran South along the cliff anticipating this juvenile Bald Eagle's movement.  Of course, he or she flew the OTHER way and circled closely to the cliff (which would have been a GREAT photo opportunity).  There were a couple top notch photographers who got some amazing shots.  Getting close to these guys still eludes me!