The Daily Bucket is a regular feature of the Backyard Science group, a place where everyone is welcome to note the observations you have made of the natural world around you. Insects, weather, fish, critters, birds and plants: all are worthy additions to the bucket. Ask questions if you have them and someone here may well have an answer.
Gooseville, WI
I've faithfully tended my bird feeding stations around my yard for about 35 years with a mix of sunflower and thistle seed, suet, sugar water and oranges in season.
I've written about the occasional hawk that swoops in to grab a feathered dinner...
and enjoyed the cuteness of the opposible thumbs of a possum snacking on sunflower seeds.
I've whined about my gangster squirrels being bullies among the birds.
So, the other day I'm sitting in my birdwatching chair taking a break from the garden green bean harvest. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch a commotion and explosion of birds from the feeder and then this squirrel goes flying by the window.
This squirrel is flying past my window, tail flapping in the wind, about five feet from my nose, flying through the air horizontally on the wings of an eagle, firmly held by bright yellow talons.
The eagle stroked powerfully upward and landed in the old maple tree 30 feet above the bird feeder with the squirrel in tow. I grabbed the camera and took a few quick shots through the window before he moved on with his fresh morsel from the takeout menu. For me, that gives new meaning to what's offered for lunch at my bird feeders.
Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus
American red squirrel Tamiasciurus hudsonicus
Wow! That was a thrill. I never imagined that a mature bald eagle would visit my bird feeder to relieve me of a squirrel. This bird is at least 5 years old by the solid white of his head.
What's happening in your neck of the woods? Got squirrels? What are you feeding your eagle today? This bucket is now open for discussion and your observations.
...
"Green Diary Rescue" is Back!
"Green Diary Rescue" will be posted every Saturday at 1:00 pm Pacific Time on the Daily Kos front page.
