Nature Done Wright

With the help of a friend, I finally made it to the legendary Raccoon Ridge hawk watch on Thursday.

The hawk watch is located by the Delaware Water Gap and requires a 2.5-mile trek along a narrow, rocky and sometimes steep stretch of the Appalachian Trail.

I’m not sure I would have made it without hiking poles — but it sure was worth it (though not a hike for the out-of-shape).

The band of stalwarts at the hawk watch said it was a slow day, considering the strong north-ish winds, but they were nice enough to find me my nemesis bird, a golden eagle.

It wasn’t the greatest look, but it was a lifer nonetheless, and I was also treated to breathtaking vistas and plenty of migrating raptors, including several bald eagles.

And I got another Monday Mammal Mystery for next week. (No, it’s not a raccoon.)

P.S. Raccoon Ridge felt a whole lot colder than the photo would indicate. Way colder.

#RaccoonRidge #goldeneagle