Oran Kaufman of Cave Hill Road in Leverett says his wife often walks in the woods behind their home and spotted this wood thrush there in early June. He said she watched it tend to its nest for about a week before Kaufman headed over with his camera.
Despite the fact that the nest was close to the trail, located on conservation land, the bird stayed still for a very long time without moving a feather while Kaufman took photos.
Photo by ORAN KAUFMAN OF LEVERETT
Last week: Speaking of birds, in response to our invitation, some readers weighed in on last week’s photo. We ran a picture taken by Douglas Raybeck of Amherst. He said that when he first took the photo, he thought it was an immature bald eagle. But then he reconsidered, thinking it might be a red-tailed hawk. Among those who offered opinions, red-tailed hawk wins out.
Zena Casteel, a student in the biology department at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, who is working toward a career in avian research had this to say in an email:
“This bird is definitely a Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis). The immature birds do not have the rusty-red tails that are characteristics of the adults, and often struggle with learning to catch prey when they first become independent. It’s harder than the adult birds make it look! An immature Bald Eagle would not have the clear “belly-band” of dark streaking that is visible on the front of this bird.”
Another reader, Matt Emerson of Amherst, noted the markings on the bird — the color of the beak, the white chevrons on the scapular, just off the shoulder, and a black or dark leading edge on the wings — led him to “be fairly certain” it was an immature red-tail.
Thanks to everyone who contacted us.
HOW TO SUBMIT: The Your Photos feature showcases photographs shot by readers of events or scenes of interest. Selections for publication will be made at the discretion of Gazette editors. To submit a photo, email it as an attachment to newsroom@gazettenet.com with “Your Photos” in the subject line. Photos should be of high resolution. Senders should include a daytime telephone number and a brief description of the circumstances surrounding the photo including when and where it was shot. For more information, call Debra Scherban at 585-5229.