On Saturday, I saw a bald eagle in the wild for the first time in my life. I was just finishing up a mountain bike ride at a nearby park, when I looked up, and there it was. I was completely awe struck. I just stopped whatever I was doing and just stared. What a magnificent creature. No wonder our founding fathers chose the bald eagle as the national bird.
I imagine it was a younger eagle looking for new territory, as we are pretty far from major bodies of water. It happened across this lake, which was stocked with trout by the local park service, and the anglers could only catch and release. So, it was pretty much an all-you-can-eat buffet for this eagle.
Our yard continues to be a robin factory. We currently have two nests going. One in the backyard, one in the front yard. On Saturday, I saw a crow flying through our yard being chased by robins. I pretty quickly figured out what must have happened. This crow tried to break up one of the robins' nests. What amazed me was that not only were the two parent robins chasing this crow, they were joined by two to four other robins in pursuit...as if the robins have a collective defense plan. They may be territorial about their nests, but they seem to come to each others' aid.
I went over to the nest, and sure enough, found one of the young on the ground. Luckily, the nest was in one of our rhododendrons and was within easy reach. I went back in the house, put on my gloves and went back outside. I gently lifted the baby robin and tried to put it back in the nest. Unfortunately, the other baby robin was blocking me, so the only way I could put the baby back was to put it on top of the one in the nest. This immediately elicited a distress call from the one in the nest, and I was immediately set upon by both robins swooping down on me. As I retreated to see if they would accept the one that fell out, one of the robins made an eye-level head-on pass at me, finally reversing course about 4 feet out and returning to the rhodo. Margie quipped "Gee, that's the thanks you get". It's no problem...the robins are just protecting their young.
The two robins are still doing well and should be leaving the nest this week. The second nest, with three eggs in it, has not hatched yet. Max, who witnessed the whole episode with the robins, was completely nonplussed by all the goings on around him.
Isn't it amazing to see Bald Eagles in the wild? I remember seeing one with my Dad on camping trip when I was a kid. We took pictures. I'll have to ask my Dad if he still has them.
Glad you were able to rescue the baby robin. My trio would definitely kill any bird they could reach. It seems the birds have finally started to steer clear of my back yard though. We mainly see them in the front now.
That's great you got to see the eagle. During the winter here in Oswego, we have bald eagles that patrol the Fox River for food and regularly sit in the trees in a small park along side the river.
LOL, senior Max has probably learned you don't mess with the R.D.L (Robin Defense League).
Quote from: Mike on May 08, 2006, 07:27:35 AM
LOL, senior Max has probably learned you don't mess with the R.D.L (Robin Defense League).
Max is smart enough to know you don't mess with a mama ANYTHING!
kewl eagle siting, David. You write so well; I felt like I was there.
It should be raining baby birds soon in our yard, too, as we have at least one robin nest, and a mockingbird nest. Loki and Zuzu will be very active!
p.s. Loki met a baby rabbit, but it was thinking invisible thoughts, and she missed it from a foot away![/size]
Every December/January, we have the Bald Eagles who nest on Couer d'Alene Lake - Wolf Bay. It is such as awesome sight to see the Eagles perching in the trees or on the stumps in the lake.....or see them flying and diving! It's awesome! Dee
Very kewl about seeing the eagle.......go Max for chilling out and not getting involved !
Great story!
Quote from: Leslie on May 08, 2006, 06:33:21 PM
p.s. Loki met a baby rabbit, but it was thinking invisible thoughts, and she missed it from a foot away!
We have 2 neighborhood bunnies that are showing up all over. This morning, there was one up by the next door neighbors house. I had to look twice to make sure it wasn't a statue - but it was the real one. Rudy and Brandy both walked by without blinking an eye. Guess the invisible REALLY does work :thumb:
Max has literally walked past a squirrel going the opposite direction on our deck. The squirrel freaked and threw itself over the side. Max just trotted on in.
Rudy & Max once cornered a rabbit trying to be invisible. However, the rabbit was so quick, it squirted right in between them and got away. Rudy was not pleased and voiced his displeasure. Max went on with his walk.
The backyard robins succefully left the nest yesterday. Unfortunately, the nest in the front yard got broken up by another bird or a predator, as there were no eggs in the nest, and two shells were on the ground...such is the reality of nature.