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Borrego Springs, CA

Monday, December 13, 2010

Soaring with the eagles

_MG_7512After working two nine hour days in the VIS, I was ready to see something besides those four walls.  :)  I’m sure Emma was also ready to see something besides the inside of the rig.  So, first thing this morning, we hopped in the car and made our way towards the public refuge roads.  Someone had also turned off the winds, and the below freezing temps overnight seemed to finally have an effect on the number of mosquitoes buzzing about.  (It’s about time!)  As I headed for Frozen Point, I noticed this eagle soaring over the moist soil units.  A Golden Eagle had been reported on the refuge a couple of days ago, so I pulled to the side of the road to get a better look.

_MG_7536As this bird came swooping down, many of the shorebirds and waterfowl resting on the water took flight.

_MG_7524And then, the fun started!  A second eagle popped up to join the first.  Turns out these are young Bald Eagles, not Golden Eagles.  If you look closely at the top bird’s tail, you can see how uneven the length of the tail feathers is.  That means the bird is still molting the tail feathers it first grew after hatching.  Young raptors, like young dogs, are usually a hoot to watch.  They’re still learning their stuff, have plenty of energy, and often make hilarious misjudgments. 

 

I remember a late summer/early fall day along Lake Ontario when I was in a blind trying to trap young red-tailed hawks for banding.  I had a pigeon out on a line to attract the hawks into the bow trap.  There was red-tail circling above, so I worked the pigeon a little.  Normally, a hawk will lock in on the lure bird and make a dive in for the prey.  This young hawk obviously didn’t have much experience as it repeatedly dove in and attacked a knot in the string to the pigeon!  Duh! 

_MG_7549As the two young eagles were careening about, a third eagle came to play!  That one didn’t stay around for long, but what a thrill it was to see three eagles today.  Bald eagles aren’t exactly common on the refuge, so I stayed put where I was. 

_MG_7528 _MG_7550

I just happened to be in the right spot at the right time!  It was kind of like watching an aerial “Dancing with the Stars.”  :) 

_MG_7542Oops!  A little misstep by one of the pair.  Maybe he’s going to flip his partner around.  Do-Si-Do!  Too quickly for me, the shenanigans were over.  Emma and I then continued around the roads, but nothing we saw could compare to soaring with the eagles.  :)

_MG_7563 _MG_7562

                                                                                                     THE END!!

 

Thanks for stopping by…. talk to you later,  Judy

20 comments:

  1. Judy would love to explore with you! would have to leave after 22 jan, can't figure out how to contact you, e-mail is lorli@bendbroadband.com

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  2. Beautiful, beautiful photos! I love the last one (the white bird) egret? Anyway, I always like seeing those in person, but they are a little ungainly looking, aren't they. Gorgeous in flight, though.

    You were so lucky to "be in the right place at the right time" and also to know what you were seeing. Must have made your day!

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  3. What a great reward! 3 eagles for your 2 days of captivity.

    Mac & Dianna

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  4. What a great post and beautiful pictures as well. I never thought about the fact that young birds still have a lot of growing up to do, just like teen-aged boys! You are so fortunate to be able to watch this show.

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  5. what a great post..soaring with the eagles is much better than flying with turkeys!..thanks so much for sharing!!

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  6. Bald eagles are a bird I actually have see quite a bit of. We have many of them on the rivers in Iowa. They are a delight to watch, their acrobatics can be sensational. thanks for the photos.

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  7. What lovely bird photos you have! You are excellent at them!

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  8. They are magnificent. What fun. And your pictures - once again - Wow.

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  9. I absolutely LOVED the photo of the one Eagle with his talons spread open like he was going to pick something up....I am a closet birdwatcher who has no idea what the Hell she is watching, but loves it all!!! Thanks so much for sharing in the majesty of such great birds of prey!!!

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  10. Great photos. The Egret pics are terrific.

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  11. Judy, You see more excitement in one afternoon than most people see in a lifetime. Your pictures teach us all!

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  12. Tell those young 'uns to stay put, we will be by to see them Saturday afternoon.

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  13. They are beautiful birds, no matter which kind they are. Love your new header.

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  14. Yes, you were definately in the right spot at the right time with the right equipment. Nice when that all comes together once & awhile.

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  15. Terrific--love the young eagle shots I too would have thought immature Goldens-
    The G.Egret shot is really super a crisp shot!

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  16. Wonderful pictures! Glad you enjoyed your day out!

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  17. Wow, you are one lucky gal! Great shots. It would be great if you did your top 10 adventures of this year.

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  18. For all of your volunteer hours, seeing young Bald Eagles sounds like a good "salary"! :)
    Exciting pics, you were so lucky!

    We also have "regional" vocabulary problems in our travels. You can't get a sub sandwich in PA, but you can get a "grinder", (same thing) and they are called "po' boys in So. Texas or Louisiana. In Canada we knew to ask for a "wash room" not a rest room.

    Nope, you're not from another planet! LOL

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