Northern Harrier at Harrison Hills Park

This is a photo of a Northern Harrier taken by Steve Gosser at Harrison Hills Park. This is his explanation:

I found out through Paul Hess that this was the first recorded sighting of a Northern Harrier in the park. He informed me this made 183 different species now seen in the park, that’s a pretty impressive number for any park in western Pa! I was walking down the road that goes past the learning center and was almost to the end where it opens up into that large field when I spotted the Harrier. It circled around for a while and then came right over me and headed back down the road towards the learning center when I lost sight of it. It appeared to be an adult female. Too bad it wasn’t flying closer to the ground, or I could’ve possibly got a better picture.

Native Witch-hazel, Harrison Hills Park

One of my favorite sights this time of year, especially because all the leaves have dropped and this is all that's left



Also, a very vivid leaf:

Odd Fungi formation under log

I found this odd fungi under a log at Harrison Hills Park - any ideas what it is?

Saw an owl with yellow leaves

I saw one of the two immature owls at Harrison Hills Park yesterday morning - with the yellow oak leaves it was a great sight - went to take a photo and realized I didn't have the memory card - this is an older photo before the leaves turned.

Great-horned Owl on a sunny morning

10/06/2011, Great-horned Owl on a sunny morning at Harrison Hills Park; this morning he was down the valley and across the trail from where I usually see him.

First signs of approaching Autumn

10/08/2011: First signs of approaching Autumn at Harrison Hills Park

Great-horned Owl on a foggy morning

9/29/2011: Great-horned Owl on a foggy morning at Harrison Hills Park.

Video of the Bear Cub

About 2 miles from Harrison Hills Park, this bear was wandering the neighborhood...

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We don't feed the birds mid Sept to Nov b/c bears, except for a squirrel proof feeder 12 feet from the ground. The bear climbed 8 feet up the post to the railing and reached out and emptied feeder. Then came on the porch to eat what ever was spilled. He/she put one paw on our sliding glass door. We did call police and Officer Tim Mayberry came and asked in we had any ammonia . We did . He opened the door a little and bear leaped off. Then started to eat again the seeds that fell to the ground. Tim took cup of ammonia and threw it on the ground where bear was feeding. The cub took off and ran towards Fawn No 2 firehall . Someone told us last week that there is a bear den behind the fire house No 2 .

Patrick took lots of photos and a short movie of the bear deciding to leave the railing . However , with it's feet dangling a foot or 2 above the ground and hanging on it seemed afraid of the drop. That's when the bear climbed back on railing and came on to the porch.

Here's web site for photos and 2 short videos.

http://gallery.me.com/patrickkopnicky#100207

We thought you'd enjoy the photos.

Great-horned Owl immature almost like adult, pt 3

September 26, 2011 - Today at Harrison Hills Park, Allegheny County, PA I saw one of the two immature Great-horned Owls I've been observing since the beginning of May. I haven't seen the owls for a couple of weeks before this sigting, and was glad to see this one today. It's been 4-5 months since they have fledged, and the adult is probably not feeding them anymore. So let's hope they are wise and learn to hunt for themselves.

Great-horned Owl immature almost like adult, pt 2

September 26, 2011 - Today at Harrison Hills Park, Allegheny County, PA I saw one of the two immature Great-horned Owls I've been observing since the beginning of May. I haven't seen the owls for a couple of weeks before this sigting, and was glad to see this one today. It's been 4-5 months since they have fledged, and the adult is probably not feeding them anymore. So let's hope they are wise and learn to hunt for themselves.

Great-horned Owl immature almost like adult

September 26, 2011 - Today at Harrison Hills Park, Allegheny County, PA I saw one of the two immature Great-horned Owls I've been observing since the beginning of May. I haven't seen the owls for a couple of weeks before this sigting, and was glad to see this one today. It's been 4-5 months since they have fledged, and the adult is probably not feeding them anymore. So let's hope they are wise and learn to hunt for themselves.