A change of pace in the weather while helping out at Reifel this afternoon. It was overcast with a light rain and nowhere near the number of visitors the last few nice weekends had brought out.
One bird that has eluded me since first being sighted at the beginning of the month is the Northern Goshawk. It has been seen in a few different locations in the sanctuary. I started off my walk along the east dyke trail and from there made my way to the centre dyke trail. On nearing the south end I spotted the Goshawk briefly roosting up high. It then moved off back in the direction I had just come from. I backtracked to the trail that leads to the blind off the centre dyke, relocated the Goshawk and got a good look. Unfortunately I did not bring my long lens today anticipating it to be wetter than it was. I did have my 70-300mm on the camera under my jacket and managed a distant record shot.
About 20-30 minutes later as I was starting out along the outside dyke from the southwest corner the Northern Goshawk flew into a tree right in front of me.
This provided for even better viewing and photo opportunity. Too bad it was such a gloomy day and for all the branches between me and the bird. Now I just have to hope it sticks around and provides further opportunities on a nicer day.