I was walking out in the rare February snow in the Pacific Northwest, watching the neighborhood pond overflow from the snowmelt. Steelhead salmon used to migrate up this far but no more.
Let’s look at this with a zoom lens, shall we?
This bald eagle couple has nested west of Portland Oregon for a decade or so, and has raised chicks on occasion, once after an aerial mating. It’s garbage-can sized nest (not pictured) is nestled in a fork of a huge hardwood tree, high about the braided course of Rock Creek and its surrounding bogs. They nest about a quarter-mile upstream from where they are perched in these pictures.
The lake below them is stocked with trout, and features many ducks, geese, coots, and nutria, along with careless neighborhood pets. Deer and coyotes also roam this area where the suburbs and rural countryside meet, divided by the Creek’s drainage.
They are utterly unconcerned with people. They’ve perched on the power line poles that reach through this park, barely 50 feet above the hooman (and dog) foot traffic.
They seemed still when I took my pictures. But looking though the shots, I can see the eagles were slowly swiveling their heads, the whole time, from the highest point for hundreds of yards, taking it all in.
The crows didn’t rise to the challenge, just sending an occasional scout by, at a safe distance. The ducks far below didn’t seem to bother their pretty feathered heads about Doom perching above.
I’d like to think these two perched eagles symbolize a Greater Power watching over us. Even more powerful then Oprah.
You’ve been reading The Daily Bucket,
a nature refuge. Bound copies are available for a cash contribution. /s/
We amicably discuss animals, weather, climate, soil, plants, waters, life’s patterns and such.
Phenology is how we take earth’s pulse.
We discuss what we see in each Bucket.
Each note adds to our understanding. Please comment about your own natural area, and include photos if possible. We love photos!
To have the Daily Bucket in your Activity Stream, visit Backyard Science’s profile page and click on Follow, and join to write a Bucket of your own observations.
Thanks for reading;
Now its your turn--
What have you noted in your area or travels?
Frisky critters keeping you awake? Please post your observations and general location in your comments. I’ll check back by lunchtime.
Be sure to read, recommend and comment in Meteor Blade’s valuable "Spotlight on Green News & Views,” every Saturday at 5pm Pacific Time and every Wednesday at 3:30 Pacific Time on the Daily Kos front page.