Rough-legged Hawk

This Rough-legged Hawk perches high in a dead tree along Highway 49 to survey the Horicon Marsh.  Dark patches on the undersides of the wings were noticeable in flight.  The tail feathers are white at the base and dark at the ends.  These field marks, along with legs feathered to the toes, help to identify this hawk. Rough-legged Hawks nest in the arctic and visit the Marsh during the winter.  Another sign of impending winter is the layer of ice on the Marsh.  Three days ago, I drove on Highway 49 as I headed to Tom Dooley Orchards to buy some delicious apple squares from their bakery.  There were hundreds of geese, swans, and ducks swimming in the water along Highway 49.  Today, the geese are walking on the ice.

Canada Geese

The auto tour off of Highway 49 will be closed to vehicles November 18-26 for gun deer season.  Wear blaze orange if you plan to hike.  Tom Dooley Orchards will be closed for the season on November 24th. You may want to stock your freezer with apple squares to tide yourself over until next season.