Birding - Montezuma Refuge

Main Pool

Went early to the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge to seek a look at the Cinnamon Teal. This rare visitor to the East was sighted at Larue's Lagoon earlier in the week.

There were thousands on Canada Geese in the refuge.

 Canada Geese

Parked the car near the entrance to the Auto-Drive and walked over to Larue's Lagoon by way of the Seneca Trail. There I met Rob from New York City and Lisa from Liverpool NY. They saw the Cinnamon Teal a half hour ago but it has since been hiding in the reeds. While waiting for a reappearance, noticed a Greater Yellowlegs in the channel.

Greater Yellowlegs

Rob and Lisa moved on and so did I. Once back on the Auto-Drive, walked over to met two male birders, Mike and Dominic from Rochester. They were scoped onto the Cinnamon Teal. They shared a look with me. We were soon joined by other birders.

After leaving the group and heading back to the car, noticed an Autumn Amberwing on a bench near the viewing platform.

Once in the car decided to drive the Auto-Drive. Glad I did. There was a variety of birds out there.

Canada Geese

Northern Pintail

American Coot

American Wigeon

Green-winged Teal

Earlier in the week I had received an email stating that the lone house on East Road had burned done. Drove up there and sure enough it had.

A tragedy. 

Later in the week,  Jay McGowan confirmed that the Cinnamon Teal was in reality a Blue-winged x Cinnamon Teal hybrid. At least I saw it.

Another great day for birding.

Other birding adventures at MNWR:

7/20/15 

6/17/15

5/9/15

4/28/15

11/14/13

9/18/13

5/29/12

3/21/12

3/17/12

2/2/12

1/26/12

1/11/12

12/20/11

10/18/11

10/12/11

10/6/11

9/28/11

9/21/11

9/14/11

9/6/11

Week Forty-Four - 8 To Go

John Grisham presents us with a new lawyer Sebastian Rudd. Rudd is a creative shyster who has a driver-fixer-companion called Partner. (Shades of Lincoln Lawyer???) Rogue Lawyer is broken up into short episodes that interlock only as the plot reaches its final stages. Rudd displays the makings of a potential series star for Mr. Grisham.

Read 52 in 52 Weeks 2015

Week Forty-Three - 9 To Go

In this strong mystery Henning Mankell creates his signature central character, Kurt Wallander. Mankell’s careful attention to the Swedish setting gives oomph to this police procedural.

Read 52 in 52 Weeks 2015

Road Trip - Moravia & Glen Haven

Filmore Glen State Park

After breakfast at Green Shutters and freshening up at home and since it looked to be a good day for a Sunday drive, we decided to travel to Moravia and visit Filmore Glen Stat Park.

Parked near the pavilion. Crossed the bridge near the swimming hole and continued to The Cow Sheds.

View from the Bridge

Lifeguard Chair

The Cow Sheds

Returning to the car we headed for Glen Haven. Traveling hill and dale but always east  we came to New Hope. Proceeded on down towards Glen Haven.

Looking north back towards Moravia.

Looking east across Skaneateles Lake from Glen Haven Road.

Another great day for leaf-peepin'.

Road Trip - Stonecat

Appeared the day was going to be great for leaf-peepin' in the Finger Lakes. So Joan and I decided to first go to our favorite restaurant on Seneca Lake, The Stonecat Cafe. The organic regional cuisine served here is terrific.

After the hostess lead us to our table, Kim, our waitress, greeted us, poured out water, and recited the specials for the day. We both ordered the Cornmeal Crusted Catfish Sandwich. This golden-fried catfish was served with Hector pepper mayo and greens, a fresh dill cole slaw, and a pickle. Mine came with a grilled sesame seed bun; Joan was bun-less but the catfish appeared slightly larger. We both had soup. Joan's was a gluten-free tangy squash bisque and mine was a creamy potato.

Across the highway in front of The Stonecat Cafe

Behind The Stonecat Cafe

Leaving the restaurant we went to Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards.

Then we made our way to Watkins Glen. Our journey was temporarily detained by a train.

The waterfront at Watkins Glen was brisk but colorful. The public bathrooms were clean.

A similar photo of this boathouse is featured on the cover of the fall issue of

Life in the Finger Lakes magazine.

We continued our trip up the west side of Seneca Lake stopping at Glenora Wine Cellars.

The leaves were colorful with the emphasis on oranges and yellows with an occasional red.

Another successful road trip.

Fleming-Auburn Trail

Having not walked this trail for sometime, parked at the southern entrance around midday. The horses were in the fields east of the trail but due to the growth of the bushes could not gt a good photo. However The Minnow is still there.

Although the peak for autumn foliage has passed due to rain and cooler temperatures, there still were some colorful leaves along the trail.

Also, the collection of  fire trucks and rescue vehicles were still visible from the trail.

Almost to the northern end of the trail there appeared to be a truck in the middle of the trail. Not knowing why it was there, turned around and headed back to the car.

Thistles, running water, moss on the bridges, and last of the wildflowers were seen on my return walk.

An interesting discovery!

Farm Hand? Hunter? Trail Walker?

Heard a Blue Jay and a Chick-a-dee and saw thirteen American Robins. But birds were scarce. But did observe two Chipmucks, a Gray Squirrel, and a Yellow Sulphur butterfly (pieridae). Plus a new growth English Oak.

Always a great day for a walk on a trail.

Previous visits to this trails:

Auburn - Fleming Trail 

Auburn-Fleming Trail Revisited  

Auburn - Fleming Trail   

Auburn-Fleming Trail - Bird Tour  

Auburn-Fleming Trail - 1st Visit of 2011