We saw our first non-captive bald eagle

[gooseberry]

We went to Ft. Donelson Natl park today. They have a pair of nesting bald eagles. We got to see both the male and the female. We have seen them in zoos but never wild. It was amazing!

 

[vickim]

A couple years ago my husband and I were fishing at a little lake we don't normal go to and about 100 yards away in a tree straight across from us was a bald eagle. I lost several worms because I was too engrossed in watching the bird watching us.

 

[gooseberry]

They were beautiful. They have built a nest so they were sitting in seperate trees on watch. Occasionally they would fly. I got a few good shots of them. Truly amazing.

 

[vickim]

I agree, they are beautiful and regal. Ours just sat in the tree the entire time we fished. Maybe he was hoping we would share.

 

[zoohouse]

My husband is from Texas, so when I brought him to BC and he saw eagles regularly he was amazed. Last fall on our trip to his specialist an hour and 15min. away we counted no less than 100 along the Thompson river, where salmon were spawning. Every day he sits in our living room and watches a pair that have nested in the trees a couple of blocks from us. We also see Osprey, and Herons on a regular basis, as they have to come by and check on our pond to see if it have developed and fish. We also have Pileated woodpeckers, and Flickers feeding on the suet block outside our side window, and drinking from our waterfall. Now that it is warm enough he will be spending most of his day outside on his "wheeley pad" watching the birds, and people that walk by, often stopping and visiting with him. We are blessed beyond belief. I have lived here most of my life and have taken the nature for granted but Tim has helped me to see the miracle of beauty that we are surrounded with.

Paulette

 

[gooseberry]

We have a retention pond in the back at home and get wood storks, great blue herons, egrets, assorted smaller herons and egrets, an occasional roseate spoonbill, ibis, cardinals, jays, hawks, titmice, etc. Loads of birds. We love to sit in the screened area and watch them. Never had a house where we had such a variety. In Virginia we had a variety of ducks but nothing like here. It is very relaxing. Unfortunately since so many are endangered we can't put out food but its really okay because they still visit!

 

[vickim]

Here is what I think is a falcon of some type that visits out back yard.

 

[gooseberry]

he is beautiful!

 

[zoohouse]

I got this picture last summer right by the Salmon Arm Wharf. I was about 10feet away and had my telescopic lens on to catch some Grebes, heard a splash, turned and got this.

 

[gooseberry]

Amazing picture Paulette. Watching birds is so relaxing for me. I can sit by the water and do it for a long time,

 

[Clearwater AL]

I too have a special thing with birds. I rescused a screech owl once. I handled him/her without gloves until I turned it over to the Florida Game to be properly released to the wild again. I have several bird feeders. Humming birds will come right up to me if the Humming Bird feeders are plugged or empty. Here's just one pix...

 

[Clearwater AL]

I need to add to the story above. It goes back years ago down in Florida I just seemed to have a thing for birds. Anyway, monofilament fishing line became (and may still be) a big problem with Seagulls, Pelicans, Ospreys, Egrets, Hawks and Eagles. It just worked out that I seem to be able to handle the birds (untangling them) better than others. I never got the chance to untangle an Eagle... would have jumped to it if I had. Whatever, for some reason birds seem to like me more than some people do.

PS. Sorry I had to be in the picture... I don't have any my wife has taken without my mug in them.

 

[gooseberry]

Glad you could do it Al. Yes it is still a big problem!

 

[MaxEidswick]

>I got this picture last summer right by the Salmon Arm Wharf.

neat shot, Paulette!

 

[texastracy]

Al, it was good to put a face to your name. And a good looking one at that. you look much like I pictured you to be.

I have a 2-story birdhouse on my front porch that has 2 sparrow families living in it. I've been watching then for several weeks now. The mamas have eggs now.

Also, I have an app on my ipad called Eagle Cam. I've watching the Pennsylvania Eagles who will soon have hatchlings. It's free. But you can find it online also.

Tracy