McGills Nature In Motion

We are now in our fourteenth year of researching the majestic bald eagle. It has been an amazing journey. It is not just about capturing these majestic raptors in photographs but the knowledge we have acquired through observation. Being up close and personal with the bald eagles as they interact with each other and with other species has given us great insight into their lives. We love sharing these experiences with others…hoping to instill in them the need to keep these raptors protected even though they were removed from the Threatened and Endangered List. We need to remain ever vigilant regarding our environment and the toxic pollutants that can threaten all of our wildlife.

Eagle Journal March 9, 2015

It’s a beautiful clear sky…stars and moon shining brightly as I head out to the research blind. The temps are in the mi- twenties with no winds.

The crows are carrying on nearby at 7:45am. Hopefully, that is a good sign for things to come. Looks like the coyotes have been in and moved some meat around. Hopefully they ate all the loose meat so the ravens won’t have anything to carry off today.

Yeah I have an adult eagle in the eagle tree at 8:30am. Hopefully…it will visit me…close up and personal today.

Well the eagle left but a red-tailed hawk has been trying to come…but of course the crows chase it off.

At least the ground is black with crows and ravens this morning and the cacophony notes of their squawking. I have two rogue ravens that are bullying the crows around. They love to puff up and gronk at the crows. They hop and bounce around like they own the world.

All of a sudden the corvids all take off…then come…then take off…then come back. I know the red-tailed hawk is flying around but I only see one ravens chasing it. Interesting. Eagles flying around???

Then they dispersed around 10:00…some sitting in the trees across the road. Strange.

I don’t see them but I hear eagle chatter!! At 10:30. The red-tailed hawk just landed in the south tree…and then it was gone.

My corvids are crazy…squawking and fighting and taking off and landing constantly. I have at least six big ravens that are strutting their stuff and pushing the crows around.

Yeah I have an eagle in the tree again around 11:00am. My ravens and crows are quietly returning again after a short absence.

I hear eagle chatter but can’t see the eagles…again. I have the red-tailed hawk soaring high above. The crows and ravens are constantly in motion…in and out…in and out.

Well…this is a bust. I even had gulls come in and carry off big pieces of meat across the road…and no takers…no eagles…no raptors of any kind. I guess it’s too nice out…42 degrees and pure sunshine….blinding me as it reflects off the snow. It is now 1:00pm.

Well I had the female rough-legged hawk in the south tree briefly before flying over and then being chased by a crow. That was around 1:15pm.

My poor RLH tried to make another attempt to come in around 1:45 but got bombarded by the corvids.

And my RLH is back again. She sat in the south tree for quite a while feaking her beak and fluffing up. Then she turned and flew to the south. Meanwhile the red-tailed hawk followed a gull that flew off with a piece of meat to the west. URGGHHHHH! And it is now after 2:00pm.

Well I was about ready to give it up…when the red-tailed hawk landed on the pile. It was there only long enough for me to get a couple of shots before heading to the south tree. OK…now how long are you going to sit there??? And are you going to come in??? Well, it was about fifteen minutes and bam…in he came. I was able to get some nice shots of him landing on the covey. Yeah…a few minutes can make the whole day worth it. It is now 3:45pm.

Now I’m off to go look for my snowy owl and day 42. Nothing but starlings and pesky crows hanging out to keep my poor roughie at bay.

Eagle Journal March 8, 2015

Time change started today so we spring ahead an hour…but it doesn’t really matter because I get up before dark to head out to the research blind. So instead of 6:00am I didn’t have to get up till 7:00am.

It is a crisp 12 degrees although it is supposed to warm up into the 30’s. There is no wind which is great and the skies are clear…for now. We will see what the day brings.

First crow on the ground temporarily at 9:00am….it then went and sat in the tree. The sun is rising beautifully. I can hear more crows and ravens stirring over the hill to the east.

Raven on the ground quietly eating then another one lands….and it flies off with its treasure at 9:30.

The crows and ravens have been carrying on all morning without coming in. I’m sure they are chasing a hawk or two around.

Yep a red-tailed hawk just landed in the tree by the blind at 10:15am. It then flew into the little maple in front of me…then…gone. I’m sure it will be back eventually?

The crazy crows are eating all of the seed while one of black squirrel tries to get its fair share.

Finally at 11:00 I have an adult eagle in the eagle tree. Now if it would just come in to visit.

Finally the crows and ravens are on the pile…and the eagle just flew over at 11:15. I have two adult eagles. One just flew over to the east. Then they both flew and soared around. Now they are in the eagle tree at 11:40. A red-tailed just flew back and all the crows and ravens took off after it.

Finally a raven carried something to the south tree and dropped it. An eagle came over and sat in the tree for a while then flew over and nabbed something off the ground to eat…then in the tree just across the road. The other eagle is in the eagle tree.

The clouds have totally moved in and obliterated the sun…but it is a balmy 30 degrees at 12:30pm.

Dang ravens are flying off with big hunks of meat…and of course the eagles are chasing after them and picking it up off the ground where they drop it. URRGGHHHHH!

Now the red-tailed hawk is even snatching pieces they drop. Then the eagle chased it over the hill to the east. Major bummer if I can’t even get the hawks to come in and eat.

Sadly it has been an unproductive day. The eagles are just not going to come in today. The crows are busy eating seeds and the ravens carry off pieces of meat. A few gulls came in and swallowed a bunch of the lose meat which is actually good. Hopefully the rest freeze up tonight.

It is gloomy gray overcast and very windy from the west southwest. I am going to close up shop and go check to see if my snowy owls are still around for day 41.

Eagle Journal March 2, 2015

It’s a mild fourteen degrees with winds gusting out of the west at 10mph. We get out to the blind a little after 8:00am…nothing around yet.

The crows and ravens starting talking around 8:30…but don’t come in till around 9:00….and then only briefly on the ground.

Finally a gull comes on the ground around 9:30 and that gets the ravens and crows really going. Hopefully that will bring in the eagles like it did yesterday.

Yes...an eagle is flying along the tree line to the east of us at 9:45am. It lands in the tree next to the blind.  It’s Red Feather and she comes in and eats and eats…around 10:10. Another eagle flies over…the 4 ½ year old. They swoop around then she settles back in the tree by the blind and the other one in the tree just across the road. More chattering as a third eagle lands in the tree across the road at 10:30.

We have a red-tailed hawk make a flyby but doesn’t come close due to Red Feather in the tree. The two eagles across the road left. We have soaring eagles…4^th year, juvie and adult…but no one comes in. Finally around 11:15 young one in the eagle tree…then fly by. Chattering going on as another adult flies over. Hopefully we will get some action…and it’s not even noon. The winds are gusting out of the west northwest around 15-20mph.

Strange…the eagles aren’t sitting in the tree very long across the road before they disappear. But Red Feather remains.

Our 1^st year from yesterday is back…lots of fly overs but not coming in. another adult is in the eagle tree…and Red Feather still sits. It is 11:45.

By noon we had a female rough-legged hawk bullet in and land quickly before going to the south tree. She then headed south without coming in again. Bummer. And Red Feather continues to sit.

It is 20 degrees…sunshine…blue skies…now we just need birds. Even the crows and ravens are being scarce today.

Well, Red Feather finally flew around 12:30 and came down to grab a bite to eat... but first gave us quite a show. Then another adult landed in the south tree. It made a dash and Red Feather took off. The adult landed in the tree by the blind and Red Feather right below it. Red Feather flew off. The female rough-legged flew back in and sat in the south tree then the little maple in front of us before heading south. The young eagle is now in the tree by the blind.

The adult went to the tree across the road to the south. Now Red Feather is in the tree right across the road at 1:00pm.

Love it. After making us wait almost two hours Red Feathers made it well worth our time by showing off her aerial skills.

By 1:30 the eagles had all disappeared…but before 2:00pm we had a red-tailed hawk drop by then fly off. The sun is shining beautifully…blue skies…now bring on the birds.

Well the crows came screaming back in around 2:30pm…we thought we would have some action…then…poof…gone. They are just flying around screaming periodically in a mob.

Well our red-tailed hawk surprised us with a quick visit. It landed the post then flew into a maple to the north then into the south tree then across the road at 3:50pm.

Michael reported to me later that all the eagles were going southwest of us landing in the trees near Devlin Road...which is seasonal and not plowed. He thinks the coyotes may have killed a deer and the remains are still there...or someone illegal killed a deer and 'dressed' it out there and left the remains. The one eagle had a lot of blood stains on it when I processed my photos later.

Eagle Journal March 1, 2015

I got up at 6:00 this morning to head out to the research blind. The eagles seem to be roosting back in the woods across the road. So I didn’t want them to see me enter the blind. Next Sunday we spring a head so that will help…besides I love having an extra hour of daylight when I get out of work to go birding.

By 7:00 the crows and ravens are already waking up. By 7:30 the first crow is on the ground along with the woodpeckers. The temperature is 12 degrees with light fluffy snow falling and winds out of the southwest.

Finally around 9:00 the crows and ravens are in feeding along with one gull. The sun is trying to break through the clouds as the snow softly falls to the ground.

Red-tailed hawk at 9:20 on the covey then to the tree to the south. I knew there was something…the crows and ravens went crazy. Ravens are carrying off pieces of meat…but no eagles to chase them.

Eagles are flying over at 9:45 and chattering. One is finally sitting in a tree just across the road. I’m trying to keep a very low profile today. I’m not going to shoot them till they come on the ground. I think they catch glimpses of me trying to shoot them while they are flying…a birds’ eye view so to speak.

Well, I guess it works. I had Red Feather on the ground eating before 10:00. Then a 4^{th year came in to have a little squabble. But Red Feather won and continued to feed. A 2nd year came in and sat in the south tree. It has a run in with Red Feather…then all three flying around. I’m still trying not to be in the window too much. One eagle is in the tree by the blind the other two are just across the road chattering at 10:25pm.}

I have four eagles sitting in the trees around me at 10:30am. The clouds are rolling back in over the sun. Hopefully, it will come back out at least by afternoon when it works to my favor.

I actually shut all the heat off in the blind. It’s a balmy 25 degrees out.

Well the crows and ravens were back causing chaos…so I thought for sure the eagles would come in…but nope. It is now 12:30 and I only have one eagle in the tree just across the road. Oh well, the sun is trying to come back out and the birdies are back making noise.

Well nothing is happening….until I start to journal. I just had a red-tailed hawk. It ate for a few minutes before flying off. I hope it will be back. I do have two eagles in the trees across the road, too at 1:30pm. And the sun is peeking back out. Bring on the eagles.

Adult eagle flying over high from the east to the west at 1:50pm. Hopefully it will stop by.

2:00pm a red-tailed hawk just did a fly over. Hours of nothing…then….bam! Around 3:00 my eagle I call Red Feather hovered for a moment then went and sat in the south tree. I kept my focus on her the whole time. I was rewarded with some awesome shots of her hovering over the carcass before landing. She ate for about ten minutes then…bam…she was gone.

Well that was totally worth waiting for. Getting a closer look at her…it looks like she may have had a trauma to her face. Her right eye has a mark on it…..possible injury.

Within ten minutes she was back…and ready to eat more. Then another eagle landed in the south tree. I hoped for some action…but no such luck. Even another eagle flew over chattering…but they just let her eat her fill…which she did before taking off with a piece to a tree across the road.

Well I waited and waited and waited for a 4th year that sat in the tree next to the blind to come in but all it did when it finally left was fly over to see if there was something it could snatch before heading across the road. I did notice its beak...face...and talons were very bloody like it had been eating a fresh kill somewhere. That all happened by 4:00pm. Now I have a red-tailed hawk in the south tree and one eagle across the road. Well the red-tailed just flew off at 4:20pm. I doubt now that the eagle will be in yet today…maybe tomorrow.

Eagle Journal February 23, 2015

Cold crisp minus 20 below zero this morning as I head out to the research blind. The skies are lightening up earlier and earlier so I need to get out earlier…until time change takes place in March. The inside of the blind is almost as cold as outside…ok maybe a little warmer in the plus teens.

The little woodpeckers are busy and a few crows and ravens are quietly observing around 8:00am.

First crows and raven on the ground at 8:40am. They quietly took a piece of meat and flew off.

9:00am the crows are getting a little noisier…hopefully they will wake up the eagles.

By 10:00am the ravens and crows are having a great time carrying off pieces of meat. They are flying every which way…they are fighting…screaming. If this doesn’t bring in the eagles I don’t know what will.

Yeah I discovered a mature eagle in the south tree. It waited till a raven dropped some meat to the south of the blind then came in…landed and carried it off to the tree just across the road to eat. I got some great landing shots of it. It ate then flew to the north where another one was soaring high in the sky.

Now one is in the eagle tree at 10:30am. There is a light snow falling…the sun is covered in a haze but still light enough of good shooting. It’s finally three above zero.

Well it didn’t take long for the eagle to come in to nab something that a raven dropped under the south tree. It flew back to the tree across the road to eat it. It was mainly tallow so it didn’t finish it.

It made another fly by around 11:00 but didn’t get anything. Then it just sat and sat and I had to watch it from the west window with the wind howling in. It took off over the blind around 11:30 but disappeared to the northeast without stopping for a snack.

But the crows and ravens are staying right here keeping me company. Well I spoke to soon. They are all flying around chasing each other. I guess since the eagle is gone there’s no one to tempt anymore.

It is now warmed up to one degree and forty-four inside except when the winds howl through the west window…when I open it up farther. Brrrrrrrrrrrr.

Oh my goodness…I have had the busiest hour. First a 2^{nd year eagle came in from the east. It made a few flybys before landing in the tree just across the road. Not too much later the adult was back. It knocked the 2nd year off its spot. The 2nd year tried to nab something out of the field but failed then went back into the tree.}

The 2nd year made several other flybys before going back to the tree. Then the adult started chattering…the 2nd year took off flying around. Unbeknownst to me another 2nd year joined the party soaring around with the other 2nd year. Oh my goodness….I didn’t know which way to shoot.

While I was watching the adult get into the fray one of the 2nd years nabbed a piece of meat and headed north to the pines. The other two went back to the tree just across the road.

Finally the other 2nd year flew over heading east then swung to the north soaring over the pines and disappeared. The adult remained behind.

The adult came in and landed on the ground…in the woods. URRRGGGHHH. It didn’t get anything so it headed back to the tree. It made another flyby then back to the tree. Around 12:30pm it head off to the north. And my ravens and crows went screaming off to the southwest probably after some poor hawk.

So I took this time to catch up on my journal. The sun comes in and out of the clouds. The wind chills is still wayyyyyyyyy below zero…but it’s so worth every minute out here.

These majestic raptors love to be lazy and wait for the crows and ravens to pick something up and carry it off. Really???? Isn’t it easier just to pick it up yourself and be done with it??? I guess the game is half the fun with these guys. Gotta love it.

So the one of the 2nd year eagles came back around 1:15. It took several flybys but didn’t land. It landed in the tree just across the road. But something spooked it and it head south. Hopefully it will be back.

Then a red-tailed hawk quietly landed on the pile around 1:35pm but didn’t stay long enough to get anything either. I know when one of these poor hawks are around…the crows and ravens just swarm it. Poor thing tried sitting in a tree but two huge ravens were antagonizing it. One snapped a branch off right in front of the poor hawks face…as if to say I’ll to the same thing to you. What a bully.

The sun is shining…the wind is howling…and it’s a great day to be in the research blind.

Two hundred crows and ravens us went swarming to the east of me…that’s where the poor hawk went.

My adult is back out in the eagle tree at 1:45pm. Then I turned around and it was gone…but a red-tailed hawk was on the pile. It flew up and down a couple of times before leaving…because one of the 2nd year is back in the tree just across the road. The adult is back in the eagle tree at 2:05pm.

The 2nd year got something off the ground to eat. The adult flew into the tree above it. Then the adult finally took off to the southwest. Another adult flew over the blind from that direction. The 2nd year finished and flew up higher in the tree. Busy, busy busy.

And the adult is back in the eagle tree and the 2nd year is still eating at 2:30pm.

The red-tailed hawk came back in despite the two eagles across the road. It ate for almost twenty minutes till the 2nd year flew into the tree by the blind. The red-tailed went into the south tree. The adult flew up closer to the road. I'm glad we made the covey for the hawks. They like to land on something a little higher to survey the area before they come into the pile

Well…we will see how this afternoon ends….it’s almost 3:30pm and maybe just maybe the 2nd year feel confident enough to come and get something to eat…since the red-tailed did.

Now it’s the waiting game. I have the crows moving back on to the pile. Will the 2nd year just wait for them to carry off something? I’m not so sure there is anything loose left. Poor eagle may have to come on the ground and get it itself.

The 2nd year is holding me hostage…just not moving…nothing on the pile but a few starlings and woodpeckers…and they’re not going to carrying anything off for it. An adult just flew over around 4:15pm…maybe it will get the young one to move. Nope...the adult was just flying by...and the 2nd year took off shortly afterwards.

Eagle Journal February 22, 2015

Light snow and 5 degrees with just a slight breeze. Kris and Karen arrived around 8:30 in the blind before 9:00. Eagle in the tree by 9:20am. It sat for an hour then disappeared. The ravens finally started coming in for pieces and carry them out. Around 11:30…the eagle reappeared . It came in and then landed in the tree just across the road.

Action around 12:00 one dived to get something just across the road. It nabbed it and took off then a second one came after it. They both ended up in the same tree…eventually side by side. Yeah!!

Then one of them flew around and landed in the tree in the front yard while the other one watched it. Then they both flew off across the field together swooping all around. Then one went back to the eagle tree and the other one disappeared to the southwest.

Around 12:30 one flew along the hill to the west heading north. Now the crows and ravens are just sitting in the trees. But at least we had some nice action.

Yeah now we have a 2^{nd year in the tree just across the road around…oops and then it left heading to the west.}

It was quiet afternoon with to even the crows and ravens coming to the pile. They flew around either in large flocks chasing off hawks or they were paired off performing aerial maneuvers with each other. Spring is definitely in the air.

We finally had a red-tailed hawk hide in the maples but it never came in to feed. That was around 3:30pm.

We left at 4:30 to go hunting snowy owls. When we were getting in the truck to head out a mature eagle flew right over us. Whatever. It’s like they knew we were there the whole time…but just didn’t want to show off till we were outside to enjoy it.

Eagle Journal February 16, 2015

Out in the eagle blind at 7:30am to temps at -4 degrees…a real warm up. Another client out with me again today.

First eagle in the tree around 8:00am…it’s the 4^{th year. By 8:30 we have an adult in the tree, too. Then a few minutes later another adult comes in and knocks of the 4th year. Then the waiting game begins…by 9:30 they both take off toward the west. Bummer.}

We have had a couple of fly bys from an adult this morning….then nothing.

Finally we had a rough-legged hawk in the eagle tree. It sat for over an hour then gone. It was back then gone.

Now we have an adult and a 2nd year eagle in the eagle tree around 1:00pm. But the crows are not as active as they should be. They are all around but just yakking.

A 3rd year in eagle tree at 1:15p, the adult flew in to tree just across the road at 1:30. Another adult soaring high.

Eagle fly by at 2:45pm now in the tree across the road… 3rd or 4th year. RLH just flew in to a tree on the hill then flew by and to the south being chased by crows. Then a 4th year joined it. They sat and sat and sat. one flew around 3:00 down to another tree then the other one took off before 3:30.

Still not coming in to land...still think they are seeing us in the blind...and still not a lot of crovid activity.

Eagle Journal February 15, 2015

Woke up to temperatures at minus eighteen…and clear skies. The sun is slowly rising over the hill. We have our first clients coming today.

We head out around 9:00am. to still very frigid temps. The steam is rolling off the crisp layer of snow causing heat waves.

We finally have an eagle in around 9:30…it’s an adult. It sits for over an hour than gone. We have coyote hunters in the area. URGGGHHHH!!!

Finally around 12:20pm the hunters finally take off. Shortly after that we started to have activity. A 2nd year came in to grab something the crows had dropped across the road. My clients were able to get some nice shots of it.

I am sure the eagles see the activity inside the blind. The term eagle eye is totally accurate. From their higher vantage point I'm sure they can see in the blind especially when the window is opened behind us, too. This is another part of the research process...just how much will the eagles tolerate from us humans.

We had a 4th year and an adult later in the day. They made some passes over the blind but mainly stayed over the field. My clients were able to get some awesome action shots. It was like the eagles were showing off their aerial skills.

There is also a major correlation between the activity of the crows and raven...hence the eagles. If the corvids are active...the eagles will come.

Eagle Journal February 9, 2015

It is a crisp morning…hopefully it will stay clear and we will get some sunshine today. The temperature is around zero with slight wind out of the north. We will see what today brings. Each day is an adventure…you just never know what will or will not happen.

I heard the red-bellied woodpecker around 8:00am…but no one else was up yet.

Around 8:20 the crows started waking up…getting noisier as the sun gets higher in the sky. I have an eagle in the eagle tree around 8:30. Hoping for a better day today in the blind…but who knows.

Flakes of crystalized moisture fill the air as the sun breaks over the hill this morning. My first crow is on the ground around 9:00am…but they are all around me…calling.

Yeah…my eagle is still in the tree and it’s been over an hour. I have a couple of ravens in. I love to hear their gronking…makes me smile. It is now 10:00am…with sun and crisp twelve degrees.

The adult eagle flew up into the trees just across the road…as soon as I turned my back of course around 10:15am…but that’s ok. It then dove down into the yard…out of my line of vision…grabbed something the crows had dropped. It then took it back to the eagle tree to eat it…with much pestering from the ravens.

Now I have all three black squirrels enjoying the eats at the stump feeder at 10:30am.

Success….the crows had carried a piece of scrap across the road and were playing with it when my eagle decided it was time to check it out. It landed in the field where I was able to get some nice shots of it and then it flew into a tree just across the road. Unfortunately for the eagle it was just a piece of tallow...but lucky for me. It should be back for more. This was around 11:15am.

It flew back to the eagle tree to wait…then another adult eagle flew in about noon. A few minutes later a third adult flew in. The 3^{rd one chased off the 2nd one…which flew to the north of us.}

By 12:20 my first eagle was back for more…more good shots. If that wasn’t enough it came back for yet another piece. Awesome!!! The other eagle is still just sitting in the eagle tree…guarding. I had hoped with at least two eagles I was see some aerial chases but nothing so far. I guess its mate is just watching over it while it gets its fill.

Well the other eagle got tired of waiting so it came and knocked the other one out of the tree. That one still had food to eat so it took it back to the eagle tree to finish. The other one flew back to wait…and wait…till the other one was done. They both dropped down under the tree to get some scraps. When they flew up…the first one headed west and the other stayed in the tree. It is now almost 1:00pm. So I am assuming this is another territorial pair probably from the south of us. Our Northwoods pair doesn’t have the ‘dirty’ chin that this one had. I did have this same eagle in last winter. I thought it had been eating a road kill but it just must be its plumage variation.

Well, today has definitely made up for yesterday. Last week at this time it was sunny, cold but not much activity. You just never know when it will happen but eventually it happens. That’s why I always say timing and luck…with a lot of patience.

While I’ve been watching my eagles I have also seen several white-tailed deer out in the fields to the west. They have a regular path that leads them to the cornfields that didn’t get harvested. Thank goodness they are having a much better year this year.

Well my eagle sat and sat and sat till finally around 3:15 it disappeared…along with most of the crows. Interesting…just taking a break…or is this is for the day? Time will tell.

3:45pm and over 200 crows were just swarming the blue skies. I didn’t actually see a hawk…but they just seemed to be having a race and chase all on their own. Some would start one way then the pack would change directions and they would all swoop the other way. Cool.

Eagle Journal February 8, 2015

It’s a balmy morning with temperature at twenty degrees and overcast.  

Finally at 8:30am an adult eagle lands in the eagle tree. Then it is gone 15 minutes later. I hope that it will return but one never knows. They are territorial and like to keep tabs on their food sources.

The crows are in the trees all around me…but not too many on the ground….but of course being very vocal. Sometimes it’s not so good to have so many of them around. They like to chase off my little raptors like the rough-legged and red-tailed hawks.

I had a high fly over by an adult eagle around 10:15am then it flew off to the southwest. If Michael hadn’t called me on the walkie talkie I would never had known it was there. It’s hard to be looking in every direction. Who knows what I actually miss while I’m out here.

Around 10:45am the crows are going crazy…I’m sure they are harassing a poor hawk. I do have a few woodpeckers….the red-bellied, hairy and downy to be exact. Darned crows anyways.

Wow…this is the worst day out here yet…heavy gloomy atmosphere has everything in a funk. With some lulls in the action I had hoped that I would see a hawk in.

Finally a red-tailed hawk landed in the tree by the blind…then poof…it took off to the south. I knew something was happening because the crows off took off…but for a change they didn’t chase this hawk. But it still was too nervous to come in.

Finally at 1:30pm Michael brought out some fresh meat to see if we could entice anyone in. Shortly afterward the 4^th year eagle was flushed out of the pines to the north by the crows.  He soared around the field then finally landed in a tree way to the southeast of the blind on the hill. Hopefully now something will come in…at least a little closer. I guess I have the crows to thank for letting me know where the 4^th year was. I knew he had to be around. He has been all week. It would have been very strange if I didn’t see him.

2:30pm. The 4^th year is finally flown into the eagle tree. We’ll see what happens now. A few minutes later the female adult comes in from the north to join the 4^th year. I was so excited I finally thought I would have some action. Then the darned crows start flying off to the southwest…and the 4^th year follows them. URGGHHHH!!!!

So I have one gull on the pile and the adult in the eagle tree…spitting snow…but nothing else happening. Then a couple of more gulls come in…but today is just not the day. The crows don’t even come back in. My adult eagle doesn’t stay long either. As long as I have been doing this…there is no definite correlation to when why or these raptors decide to show up at the blind. I monitor the weather…barometric pressure…day of the week…nature is nature…it will to what it wants…when it wants…just like people.

Eagle Journal February 2, 2015

It is cold and crisp out with temperature at minus six degrees…but the sun is going to shine at least for a little while this morning.

My little woodpeckers are squeaking around by 8:15am. It is now after 10:00am and I haven’t even had a crow or gull in…and it is gorgeous out!! Thank goodness the red bellied woodpecker was posing today. Hairy woodpecker and a few starlings is all that has been in…not an eagle or hawk in sight.

Finally around 10:30 my 4^{th year flew into the eagle tree. He sat and sat and sat. I watched him and watched him and watched him. The minute I take a second to warm up my frozen hands….bam…he flew over…and missed it. URGGHHHH!!!}

At least he flew in to the tree just across the road. I can see him a lot better. But he sat and sat till an adult flew into the eagle tree around noon. Then he continued to sit and sit…he chattered. The adult took off to the north around 12:20 shortly after my 4th year took off too. Bummer!!!

By 1:00 I had the 4th year and a 3rd year in the eagle tree…crows are back…harassing the Cooper’s hawk again. Around 1:30 by eagles started chattering then took off chasing each other flying over the field then circling me to the southeast. The 4th year flushed out the rough-legged hawk that must have been sitting up on the hill just out of sight.

Now the 4th year is in the tree just across the road and the 3rd year is in the eagle tree. A few minutes later the 4th year flew to the southeast of me. Who knows where it will reappear. They seem to make big loops around the area…and come back from a completely different direction. That’s the problem with living on hills…things can disappear in a second.

So my 3rd year finally flew around 2:30pm. She went to the southeast of me where she flushed out the 4th year. Interesting….I wonder if there is a dead deer down that way??? Everything seems to be interested in that area. Not sure how much more I am going to take with the west wind blowing in wind chills of minus 7 to minus 17.

Ok my 4th year is paying games with me. Just when I’m ready to leave….he reappears. He is in the tree right across the road. I guess I am just going to sit tight and try to stay warm. I’ll catch him if he will let me. Then the 3rd year knocks him off to different tree and the waiting game continues.

I finally closed my west window…too cold and then of course the 3rd year made a pass around the blind then back to knock the 4th year off around 3:30pm. The 3rd returned to the tree just across the road till about 4:00pm then disappeared.

Eagle Journal February 1, 2015

Starting the morning early…I got out to blind shortly after 7:00am. Excited…I guess to get out with my peeps. It is seven degrees outside…ten degrees inside…but the new wall Buddy heater has me up to 43 degrees within a half an hour.

The crows are even up and noisy around 7:45am. Unfortunately it’s overcast…was supposed to be sunny…maybe later.

Ok someone is in the eagle tree by 8:00am…then gone fifteen minutes later. Quiet.

9:00am crows in the trees around me…and eagle in the eagle tree…gull on the ground.

Two adult eagles in the eagle tree at 9:10am. Eagles chattering on and off…then 10:00 they are gone. The crows are kittling and screaming their heads off to the south and then east. There is a nice stiff wind coming right on my face from the southeast.

The crows are crazy today….screaming and swarming around. Now they are all in the eagle tree etc to the west. Then they all disappeared. It would be a good time for a hawk to come. I have a downy and hairy woodpecker to entertain me this morning.

I do have a couple of male hairy woodpeckers having slight dispute.

My swarm of crows just landed back in the trees across the road. They have been gone for about twenty minutes or so. They are now on the pile at 10:55am…then gone again.

Finally the 4^{th year is in the eagle tree around 11:30 along with my noisy crows on the pile. Then a few minutes later he is flying over and to the east. That flushes out a 2nd year that was sitting up on the hill. It flies southwest. Hopefully they will come in and visit.}

The 4th year is back in the eagle tree…must have circled back. Now my crows are all sitting across the road in a tree…very skittish today.

Looks like I have a 2nd year in the eagle tree with the 4th year. They skirmish…then the 4th year flies over and disappears up the hill…again. It is now almost noon.

Then a 1st flies over the field heading north and lands in the pine trees. A few minutes later the 2nd year goes over to where the 1st year is sitting…knocks it off…but it went right back into the pines. The a few minutes later the 4th year came flying around from the north went over me and then to the east. The 2nd year flew back over the field to the eagle tree. It looks like we are playing ring around the blind today.

Then the crows came screaming from the west to the east chasing a poor Cooper’s hawk.

The neighbors are shooting their guns…for whatever reason. The crows take off and scream. Now my 2nd year eagle is gone. Last week it was cars stopping in front of the blind…today there are guns going off…not a happy camper.

I guess my wildlife doesn’t like the gunshots either…nothing has been in all afternoon…except a fox squirrel, red bellied, hairy and downy woodpeckers. Overcast gloomy and finally up to ten degrees out there. It looks like it is going to be an early day for me.

Eagle Journal January 26, 2015

Another cold crisp morning in Northern Michigan…a balmy minus three in the research blind. Partial sun and clouds…it is supposed to cloud up and snow later today.

The little woodpeckers are busy already at 8:20am…brave little souls.  The crows are waking up…I can hear them.

Very quiet morning…it is 9:15am and I have a couple of silent crows to the north of me…that’s it.

Finally about 9:30am the crows are gathering and being their usual noisy critters. And then they are off chasing a poor hawk.

It’s almost 11:00 and all I have are noisy crows and a couple of ravens…starlings…and two black squirrels which are entertaining at least.

The gulls arrived shortly after 11:00am so now I have screeches added to the cacophony of chaos. I have had the downy and hairy woodpeckers on my little covey though.

Finally 11:45am. and an adult eagle is in the eagle tree. We’ll see if it just sits or actually comes in today.

Yeah my Cooper’s hawk showed up for a few minutes around 1:30pm. It sat up in the tree next to the blind.

Well my ‘tourists’ were through around 2:00pm. People have heard about our blind and drive by to see what they can see. Luckily I didn’t have anything in…or not lucky. Anyways….may have to make a sign that says “Eagle Research in Progress Today…Please Don’t Stop” and put it out when I’m in here.

The clouds are moving in…nothing is moving…the eagle has been sitting there for 2 ½ hours now. What’s up with that???

Looks like my 4^th year eagle took over the guard duty at some point this afternoon. He just did a circle and landed back on the eagle tree….the little bugger.

No wonder I’m not having any luck today. I have another ‘tourist’ that is sitting in front of the house watching my 4^th year across the road. URGGGHHH. I know I would probably do the same thing. They don’t realize I am out here on Mondays. Definitely gotta make that sign. Yep they just spooked him off…at least they left. Maybe I have a chance for a hawk to come it…it is 4:20pm.

Well I have beautiful soft setting sunlight again tonight and nothing to photograph in it…not even a woodpecker.

Eagle Journal January 25, 2015

It looks like it is going to be a gorgeous day. The temperature is 5 degrees at 7:30 am. I hope I get to see some of my raptors buddies today.

My first eagle is in the tree around 8:00am. It looks like it might be the 4th year. Finally some crows in around 9:00am. I have been hearing them since 8:30am.

It’s a typical morning when it’s this cold and sunny out…not much action. The crows are in and out a few gulls and starlings…my eagle is in the eagle tree. It just got joined by a mature eagle at 10:15am.

I did have one black squirrel in to feed on the stump surrounded by a hundred crows.

My 4^th year just flew into the tree just across the road at 10:35am. Yeah! Well he sat there for over an hour. When he finally flew…he just moved up into a higher branch. But I kept focused on him because I knew sooner or later he was going to fly. I watch his movements trying to read them to know what he is going to do next. Love it.

By 12:00 my 4^th year came flying over. I was so darned excited when I opened my side window and found him sitting as pretty as a picture right in front of me on a tree limb!!! To make it more perfect the sky was blue behind him and the sun shone directly on him. Yeah!!!! I got some awesome shots of him…even the take-off shots!!! This is what makes coming out here in the dark with 5 degree temps…windows open and breeze blowing through….trying to keep warm and awake…waiting…and waiting….and waiting….till finally you get those few moments of perfection and connection with one of these beautiful raptors.

My 4^th year took off heading southwest…shortly afterwards the mature followed suit. So I currently have a few crows and starlings. Maybe I will see a hawk now. Speaking of hawks…I looked behind me and fount a rough-legged hawk in the eagle tree.

My 4^th year came back and knocked the female rough-legged hawk out of the eagle tree. At 12:45. Now she is being hassled by the crows and ravens…poor girl. Hopefully she will get to come in later.

My 4^th year came up to the trees near the road but didn’t stay long. He’s back in the eagle tree now at 1:30pm.

Surprise I have a Cooper’s hawk sitting on the brush pile but unfortunately a car slowly drove by and spooked it off. URRGGHHHH!

Then my entertainment was  a female hairy woodpecker who preened and hunted in the tree next to the blind.

The Cooper’s hawk was back in the south tree briefly before flying off into the woods. My 4^th year is now gone at 2:30pm…nope he’s back in the eagle tree. And all of a sudden the crows and starlings are back, too.  

My 4^th year just disappeared around 3:30pm. I do have red-bellied, hairy and downy woodpeckers to entertain me though.

Two screaming eagles just landed in the eagle tree at 4:55pm. We’ll see if anything happens yet tonight. Well one has already flown off ten minutes later. I think the other one is just doing its usual ‘keeping an eye’ on things so nothing else gets any eats. And I have such great soft setting sun light. Bummer.  Looked out a few minutes later and that one has disappeared. Oh well, there is always tomorrow…but of course it is supposed to snow.

Eagle Journal January 19, 2015

It’s a little colder this morning…20 degrees…with some light snow falling…no wind.

8:15 the gulls flew in…8:20 the 2^{nd year eagle is in the eagle tree. Finally the crows show up and starting the chaos.}

A mature eagle is flying around the field then goes and knocks off the 2nd year. Then they both settled down on the eagle tree at 8:45am. The adult flies into the tree right across the road from me a few minutes later.

2nd year disappeared at 9:10am. But I’m sure it will return. Well, I found it out in the middle of the field.

Well the gulls are starting to carry off pieces of meat and the eagles are starting to fly. The mature came in to the south tree. It made a mad dash to the other side of the road…another mature eagle was flying in. They chased each other around. Then the 2nd year came back into the tree across the road…and one of the matures is in the eagle tree. Fun action already.

My young one disappeared again around 9:30am. It’s spitting snow…lots of crows and gulls carrying on.

Finally the 2nd year is back in the eagle tree…but now the mature is gone…shift change at 10:30am. Looks like it’s getting brighter out there. Yeah…now just need some action. The adult eagle is back in the same tree.

Well I now have the 4th year in the tree next to the blind. The mature is in the eagle tree and the 2nd year is in the tree right across the road at 10:55am.

Still lots of crow activity with a few ravens thrown in. The gulls are sitting on the barn for the moment. Clouds are moving back in.

All of a sudden all my eagles are gone. Hopefully they are just stretching their wings. At least I have three black squirrels to photograph.

Ok the adult eagle is back in the eagle tree at 11:15. And action…4th year in the tree across the road eating a piece of something it picked up in the field. An adult and 2nd year are in the eagle tree…joined by another adult. The 4th year takes off for the eagle tree…knocks one of the adults off. And an aerial battle ensues…with photos to prove it!! The 4th year came back to the tree across the road…the other adult flew up back up into the eagle tree at 11:30am.

The fox squirrel and three black squirrels are running all over the place. They are either brave or very foolish.

The 4th year returned to the tree across the road with something it picked up somewhere. The 2nd year came up to investigate…around noon.

The 4th year and 2nd year have been entertaining me. The 4th year went and nabbed something out of the field and the 2nd year was in hot pursuit. Michael left around 12:20 and the 4th year and 2nd year took off again chasing each other. The 2nd year is back in the eagle tree with the adult. Another adult flew behind the house and landed in a tree…not sure where my 4th year eagle is. But the sun is peeking out and hopefully I will get some more action to capture. I did get a couple of decent aerial shots.

The two adults and the 2nd year are all in the eagle tree at 12:30pm. A third adult joined them…chattering away…must be the female. A few minutes later the baby left and headed west.

Ok the 4th year flew in and knocked the two adults off. They went soaring off to the west where the 2nd year joined them. They just seem to be enjoying the little bit of sunshine that is breaking through the clouds this afternoon. The 4th year and the other adult are hanging out on the eagle tree at 12:45.

The 4th year eagle came flying over…then disappeared at 1:05pm. URGGHHHH! Ok 15 minutes later my 4th year came from the south…flew along the hill then disappeared to the north. But out emerged an adult eagle that flew around the field allowing me some nice aerial shots in the sunshine. Then it disappeared to the southwest.

I had some friends report five eagles on the ice in town which would be less than a mile as the eagle flies yesterday. They could be ‘my’ eagles. There was a young one, a 4th year and three adults….just like I have today.

1:50 the car is by again and stops in front of the blind. My only adult that’s out on the eagle tree takes off to the north. It does circle back around and land after the car moves on. Another adult flies back by from the north heading south.

It’s now 2:20pm and my last adult eagle just took off. Hopefully this isn’t the end of my day. I haven’t seen any hawks yet. Maybe they will come in now.

The adult is back at its post at 2:35pm. I still have some patches of sunlight. I hope something comes in so I can benefit from it.

My afternoon entertainment is 20-30 herring gulls with a ring-billed or two thrown in at 3:00pm. The crows and ravens aren’t even as active this afternoon. It’s still 20 degrees but the off and on sun.

I know there is a hawk out there…the crows and ravens just went in mass to the north after something. Darned birds…I wish they would leave my raptors alone. URRRGGGHHHH!

Some action…the adult came into the tree just across the road. Then it did a flyby. Then it flew toward the north where the 4th year was coming from. Adult went to the eagle tree the 4th year flew by…then to the tree across the road where it is chattering. The adult then flew into the tree just across the road and the 4th year headed east over the hill. It is 3:45pm.

Well my adult just did a flyby but not in front of me. It went south of me looking for tidbits in the field. Then it returned to the eagle tree and is just waiting for the sun to disappear…dang it all. It is now 4:00pm. Well two minutes later and it’s gone…and the sun is being over taken with clouds. Looks like I might call it quits a little earlier tonight. And two minutes later and its back in the tree right across the road.

The weather is still too nice for the eagles to really need to feed here. They have some open waters yet…and a flock of waterfowl to choose from. Besides the crows and gulls have spread piece of carrion all over the fields for them to pick at. Eagles are opportunistic creatures by choice…they would rather take someone else’s food or get easy pickings somewhere.

Well, I don’t think my eagle is going to come in. It is just a sentinel keeping watch over its territory. They know the food is here…when they need it. They just rather other raptors not share in the spoils.

And my eagle is gone by 4:40 pm. The sun is trying to break back out from behind the clouds. I maybe hang out just a little longer to see if a hawk decides to come in.

It never fails…I get some sunshine and the critters don’t co-operate with me. What’s that all about?? I know timing and luck. That’s my mantra. Guess I’ll call it quits…it’s 5:00 and nothing and I mean nothing is out here…not even a starling.

Eagle Journal January 18, 2015

It’s a mild 30 degrees this morning with a slight mist falling. The truck is covered with ice…not so sure how the birds are going to like this weather. Hopefully, it will get a little colder soon.

It’s finally starting to turn to snow. The crows are calling around 8:20 and the 2^nd year flew into the eagle tree at exactly 8:30. Yeah!!

8:45 the gulls and crows have landed. Well it didn’t take long and a gull took off with a piece of meat…and the 2^nd year took off after it. The gull…of course…dropped the piece in the field behind me…and the 2^nd year swooped down and picked it up…and took it back to the eagle tree to eat it. URGGHHH!! Darned gulls.

Another eagle arrived at 9:15 to the eagle tree. The gulls and crows have disappeared…for the moment.

Yeah…4^th year flew over around 10:00...all three eagles in the tree right across the road from me. Then the 2^nd year knocked the mature back to the eagle tree. It’s a waiting game now.

It didn’t take long for a scrimmage to occur. The mature flew chased by the 4^th and 2^nd year…fun to watch. The mature flew off….the 4^th year back to the tree across the road and the 2^nd year to the eagle tree. The mature returned shortly after to the eagle tree, too. Then a few minutes later the mature followed by the 2^nd year flew off to the south. And a few minutes later the 2^nd year is back. Looks like it’s going to be one of those days….just wished it would lighten up out there. A few minutes later the mature is back.

Action…4^th year flyby…then all three are in the air. But they all land back in the tree across the road. Little buggers. 2^nd year made a circle around the field then knocked the mature back to the eagle tree…again…and it’s only 10:30.

Oh, my gosh….a couple of ravens sat in the tree with the two eagles…taunting them with a piece of meat. The 2^nd year took off after one…but didn’t get anything….too funny.

Then I watched as a crow picked up a piece of meat…flew right over to where the 4^th year was sitting…and taunted it with the meat.

Well, 11:00 and the gulls are back. We’ll see what happens now. Interesting all of my eagles took off to the northwest flying around. Stretching their wings?

The mature came back to the eagle tree…took off…then back again. 2^nd year is back a few minutes later.

All three of my eagles are back by 11:20. Then a few minutes later the 4^th year flew to the south.  My 4^th year was back then took off again to the southwest.

Then a gull took off with a big piece of meat…and the chase ensued. I got some great shot of especially the 2^nd year making several attempts to retrieve the meat…to no avail. In the meantime the mature sat in the eagle tree watching. A rough-legged hawk flew over me from the northeast to the southwest. The mature took off after it. The rough-legged flew back over the blind heading north. My two eagles have just taken off soaring around together to the north….at 12:15pm.  What a great day…even though it’s gloomy. Ok….2^nd year is back in the eagle tree.

So around 1:00 the mature and 2^nd year are sitting in the eagle tree…for quite a while. Finally the gulls and crows start in again carrying off food. The two eagles take off to the north down the field where the crow drops the meat. Yep…lots of aerial excitement…but too far out of range for any decent shots. Another mature joined in for a bit before the two came back to sit in their tree again.

Then a car stops in front of the blind causing my mature to fly to the east. It finally moved on. But upsets all of the birds so they scatter…1:30pm.

FYI the 2^nd year plumaged eagle is actually this year’s young. It still has it’s dark eye and beak…just changing its plumage a little early.

Ok…2:00pm red-tailed hawk in tree to the south…then gone. The eagles have disappeared too. Nope the mature eagle is back again. I had a poor crippled crow land in front of me. It’s foot is bent backwards and it looks like it has a broken ‘knee’.  It was just minding its own business when another crow came and landed right on top of the poor thing. Last week I had a compassionate adult eagle that allowed a young rough-legged hawk to feed. This week I have another bird that is cruel to one of its own. Nature certainly mimics human nature.

It’s now 2:40 and my mature has left again. I had some down time without much going on till around 3:30. Then a rough-legged hawk flew into the south tree. It made several passes…then landed on the post. It took off again to sit in the tree. Finally it came back to the post…then sat on the covey and finally ate…and ate…and ate. I even saw a mature eagle soaring to the east behind the hill but she didn’t budge.

Finally she had enough and landed back on the trees to the south. A 4^th year just flew by and spooked her and she flew away shortly after 4:00pm.  The 4^th year is sitting in the tree just across the road. A gull just took off with something and he chased it then back to the tree.

Oh my goodness…the 4^th year just did a flyby…a mature came from the east….knocked the 4^th year out of the tree. The 4^th year flew by again…landed in the tree…knocked off again by the mature. Then the mature went to the eagle tree and the 4^th back to his post just across the road at 4:20.

Wow! The eagles have been fighting and chasing each other all over the place. The 4^th year did several flybys but hard for me to get…he is flying so fast. He did land in the tree next to the blind but then went over to the mature and started another fight. The 4^th year eagle was screaming the whole time. What a blast!

Just before 5:00 the mature came in and knocked the 4^th year off. The 4^th year flew over heading east…for the night. The mature is still in the tree but I’m sure it will leave shortly. Tomorrow should be another good day…with hopefully a little sunshine.

Eagle Journal January 12, 2015

I woke up with a bad headache so decided to sleep in a little…so got an hour later start than usual. The mature eagle was already sitting in the tree close to the road…and the crows and ravens were screaming around.

Of course when Michael walked me out to the blind everything took off. It took about 45 minutes and everything was back including the eagle. Temps are still in the teens…overcast…spitting a little snow but not too windy. So hopefully I will have a visitor or two today.

Around 10:00 another mature eagle flew from the east and knocked the one out of the eagle tree. By 10:30 that one had disappeared, too. Still noisy with crows, ravens, gulls and starlings. My black squirrel is being brave and eating on the old stump.

The sun keeps trying to come out which makes me keep adjusting my settings…which I guess is good practice.

Finally one of the mature eagles is back in the eagle tree around 11:00. If they don’t give me a little action soon…I’m going to call it a day. My headache is coming back…bummer.

The 2 ½ year old was in the tree right across the road for a little while then gone. Snow is picking up and the crows are screaming.

Well that one left…but around noon a mature landed in the tree next to the blind. It made flyby then ended up in a tree right behind the house. The snow is now so blinding I can hardly make out the eagle in the tree. The crows and ravens are a cacophony of noise. There has to be 200-300 hundred of them scattered throughout our trees and on the pile. What fun to watch and listen to them.

Mature left at some point before 12:30 but now I have the 2^{nd year in the tree by the blind. Hopefully it waits till this snow squall dies down. Ok everything and I mean everything just took off! I guess the 2nd year flew across the road. It didn’t take long and the ravens etc are starting to return.}

1:20 and my 2nd year flew across the road…nabbed something out of the field to nibble on. URGGGHHHH!

Seriously crazy times…while I was watching the 2nd year across the road a young rough-legged hawk landed on the pile. Well, it’s not 2:40 and it is still here!! It has been on every carcass including the one by the stump. It has put on quite a show for me. The 2nd year eagle was in the front yard while the mature was in the tree by the blind. The roughie didn’t care…they chattered and carried on but it continued to eat. Now I have the mature in the front yard with the 2nd year. And it’s snowing again…quite heavily.

This is what I love about what I do…observing wildlife. Some things can’t be learned in a book…you must experience for yourself. Every living creature is its own unique being…you can’t pigeonhole wildlife any more than you can a human being…some or more compassionate…some are more brutal. These two eagles could have easily chased off the young rough-legged hawk anytime they wanted to…but they chose to let it eat to its heart’s content before finally joining in.

That’s right the mature eagle finally around 2:45 dropped in while the rhl was feeding but didn’t bother it. The rough-leg flew off but came back a couple of different times. The 2nd year eagle is now in the tree to the south of the blind and the mature is in the tree right by the blind. I would think that they will be in to eat something before the day is done…I hope.

Now I have a red-tailed hawk to the east of me trying to make its way in…but the crows and ravens are distracting it. The rough-legged hawk is still flying around, too.

Now the red-tailed hawk made a quick appearance at 3:30. The 2nd year eagle and the rough-legged hawk are both in the tree to the south of me. Roughie just did a flyby. The 2nd year sat and sat and sat then finally flew off to the west…never to be seen again.

The female mature eagle played games with all afternoon. Taking off and landing in a different tree or a different branch….but she finally gave up and left at 4:20pm…just when it was starting to get nice again.

Eagle Journal January 11, 2015

It is a calm morning for the first time in over a week. The temps are holding in the teens…better than the subzero wind chills we’ve been having.

My eagle is in the tree by 8:00am. The first crow on the ground by 8:15…more calling and coming in.

Lots of crows and ravens on the pile. It doesn’t take long and the 4^{th year eagle comes in to the tree to the south of the blind. Sweet. He of course sits for the longest time. All of a sudden the crows and ravens take off and in comes a red-tailed hawk. It lands in the same tree with the eagle! This is around 9:30. The red} –tail eventually takes off. The eagle makes a move about fifteen minutes later and lands in the tree to the north of the blind. It’s hard to keep an eye on him because he is so close. It makes a flyby which I miss because I’m on the floor trying to watch it. It then goes across the road to sit in a tree near the road. The red-tail makes a flyby heading east.

By 10:00 my eagle comes in and actually lands on the ground. He doesn’t get anything to eat though. So I know he will be back. All of a sudden I hear chattering. My eagle comes back across to the southern tree and two matures land in the eagle tree chattering up a storm at 10:45!!! Looks like it’s going to finally be a great day in the blind.

It’s hard to get use to the feel and settings of the new camera but I love it already!

Well the two matures don’t stick around very long…but the 4th year sits and sits and sits. Finally around noon a snowmobile goes racing by and spooks him. He flies across the road to sit in the eagle tree for a while….I guess I can take a quick break to eat and pee now.

12:10 2nd year is across the road….chased by 4th year…then a mature landed out in the eagle tree with the 4th year and 2nd year landed in a tree just across the road…looks like it’s going to be a good day.

And action!!! 4th year knocked the 2nd year off its perch and they chase each other. This happens several times before the 4th year finally comes back across the road to sit in the tree to the north of the blind. The 2nd year is in the tree right across the road. The mature just took off to the east after…a hawk?? The ravens, crows and gulls are extremely rowdy which makes the eagles really antsy. Hopefully someone is going to come in to get something to eat. It is now 12:30 and snowing pretty good. Mature just flew back and across the road to the eagle tree. Ok…the 4th year just chased the mature off…it went north. The 4th year is now in the eagle tree.

All of a sudden the 4th year came flying over to the east after another eagle that came from the southeast at 1:00pm. Crazy…the 4th year is back across the road but the 2nd year is gone. It’s going to be one of those days. Yeah!

Poor red-tailed hawk….the crows and ravens went crazy chasing it…but it stood tough and landed in the tree next to the blind. We’ll see how far it gets…as the 4th year gives it the evil eye.

Oh my goodness…the red-tailed hawk landed on the pile for a few minutes…didn’t eat. It then went in the tree to the south…but didn’t stay long…chased off to the east by the crows.

A few minutes later a mature eagle comes from the east and goes into the tree with the 4th year across the road. The 4th year wasn’t happy and kept attacking the mature. It was funny to watch the 4th year …it was so antsy…hopping from branch to branch…then attacking the mature eagle over and over. The 4th year finally flew over to the tree to the south of the blind…as the mature chatters….and it’s only 1:18pm!!! It’s still hyper and bouncing around in the tree…a very good sign.

OH MY GOODNESS!!! Lots of action from the 4th year eagle. He came in close to me. He would land and take off and land and take off…giving me some great flight shots!!! It did finally eat and eat and eat. The other mature came into the tree to the south. It landed out to the south of the blind in the snow but didn’t come in and bother the 4th year. Finally the 4th year had enough…took a piece to go…and was then chased by the mature and the 2nd year. AWESOME!!!! I LOVE MY CAMERA!!! I LOVE MY EAGLES!!!

It is now 1:50 I have the 2nd year just across the road in the tree and the mature in the eagle tree. If nothing else comes in…I’m still golden. It is getting darker and looks like the snow is going to get heavier.

Off and on since 2:00 my mature has been chattering and flying around. It’s now 3:00 and I have another mature in the eagle tree and this one is in the tree near the blind. Maybe someone else will come in before dark. If not, I may have to be back out here tomorrow.

Seriously I had a red-tailed hawk come in and feed while the eagle was chattering away in the tree next to me. It is now 4:30 and I still have two eagles and a red-tailed hawk keeping an eye on things. Hopefully I can get out of here and get some rest…so I can come back out tomorrow.

The eagles hold me hostage till almost 5:30pm…but that’s ok…I think they will be in tomorrow. What a great day with my eagles and new camera.

Eagle Journal December 28, 2014

Finally quit raining and turned cold. It is 27 degrees this morning with a westerly wind. I had hoped it would snow last night…but no such luck. Hopefully the raptors will like this change in weather and come visit me today. We really need snow and cold to force the birds in to looking for carrion as opposed to fresh food.

I did have a red bellied woodpecker flying in and out of the covey along with several chickadees.

Finally the sun is working its way out from behind the clouds. I have a black squirrel…no make that two…no make that three black squirrels enjoying the treats this morning. Well if nothing else I can be entertained by them.

I have crows, squirrels, downy woodpeckers and gulls circling at 9:20. Then all quiet when the sun comes out…of course.

Now the crows are cawing and the starlings are coming in after 10:00. Then a dozen gulls finally descend…hopefully their noise will wake up the raptors.

Then quiet….I look out and see a young eagle in the eagle tree across the road at 10:30. Yeah!!! The clouds keep moving in and out along with the birds.

The black squirrel is back. The red bellied woodpecker was in and gone before I could snap its pic…maybe later. Squirrels in and out…starlings in and out…an occasional blue jay. My eagle is gone before 11:30. URGGHHH…and the clouds filling in…maybe it will snow.

I had hopes of some action around 1:30…the gulls were glomming up the loose meat…but no luck. Getting darker and darker…I’m calling it quits at 3:00.

Eagle Journal December 14, 2014

It’s a very mild morning…only in the mid-thirties…with a slight foggy haze. Like clockwork the ravens and crows flyby around 8:00am. By 8:20 I have a young eagle sitting in the ‘eagle’ tree across the road. Finally hear the chirping of the little birds….finding the seeds Michael put out for them.

Hawk of some kind just flew in from the east to the tree right across the road. Yep it was a rough-legged hawk. It flew back by around 8:45. Hope it comes in to visit.

A few gulls came in for a while to feed then got spooked off…not sure by what…but hopefully whatever it was will show itself. It is so darned mild out…nothing is really needing to fuel up. Hopefully winter will come back and so with the raptors.

Yeah…I looked out around 10:00am and found a 1st year in the tree right across the road. There is also a red-tailed hawk out in the eagle tree. The 1st year has been sitting quietly for over an hour now…time to move in. I hope.

The hawk disappeared around 11:30am but the 1st year is still in the same tree. All of a sudden it has gotten dead still. Hopefully that’s a good sign…but probably not. Not even my little birds are peeping.

I have had a downy woodpecker using the new feeding station Michael made. Also saw the black fox squirrel but it didn’t come in to investigate.

Well, it’s after 12:00pm and my eagle is still sitting. It stretched a couple of times but that’s it. Not sure how long I will stay out today…Christmas is coming and so are the munchkins next weekend.

Well great…hunters just drove out from the woods behind me….and right under my eagle…which of course took off. URGGGHHHH! Not so sure it will come back…at least not soon. So I may just call this a day and work on my Christmas plans for the kids….crafts and nature projects.

Eagle Journal December 7, 2014

It is a clear crisp morning…temperatures in the teens. There are already two eagles sitting in the tree across the road before 8:00am!!! Hopefully that’s a good sign of things to come.

Well, they disappeared as quickly as they came. It is now 10:00 and the most activity I’ve had is a red-bellied woodpecker that is busy stashing suet in the tree next to the blind. I also have several hairy woodpeckers, downy woodpecker, chickadees, blue jays, starlings, crows, ravens and a beautiful fox squirrel…but now raptors. It is now 27 degrees with partly cloudy with just a light breeze.

Finally…as soon as I turned around…there was an eagle sitting pretty in the tree. Then I turn around again and it’s gone. Oh well, hopefully, sooner or later they will be back.

I just had twenty crows and a gull in raising a ruckus. That makes for some entertainment.

Well it is 11:40 and I finally had a rough-legged hawk soaring around. It flew over the house and to the east of me. Maybe it will come in…since nothing else is around.

Ok my 2^nd year eagle is back…again…at 12:20. Let’s see how long it stays this time. Several gulls came in to feed. Sweet…it didn’t take long for the eagle to decide to fly over…heading straight at me. It then circled back and landed in a tree to the west closer to the road. At least I can keep a better eye on it. A few minutes later it came back…this time landing in the tree to the east of the blind. Sweet. It made another attempt to come in…but decided to head back to the tree….this time hiding behind a brushy limb. Another few minutes and it swooped then disappeared at 1:10.

Yeah it is back around 1:45. It actually went and landed in the field to the west playing with bones the crows and ravens have hauled around. As it was sitting there…a 5^th year flew in to the tree from the north.  The 2^nd year decided to go check it out. Well, the 5^th year wasn’t happy and chased the 2^nd year into a tree closer to me. As if that wasn’t enough a fully mature eagle came from the north and chased of the 5^th year.  The 5^th year came and chased the 2^nd year out of its tree. The 2^nd year then landed in the tree right next to the blind on the north side. Of course there are so many branches I can’t get good shots…but at least it is near. This all took place around 2:00pm.

The 2^nd year sat….and sat….and sat….till it spotted another 2^nd year soaring north of us heading east. So my 2^nd year decided to go check it out. Hopefully, they will both return because the 5^th year and mature have disappeared. It is now 2:45pm.

Well, all was quiet until the gulls came back in around 4:00pm. I worked on my photos…a few decent ones…always wish for better. Of course the clouds had moved in by the time the eagles moved in…typical.

But all in all it was a very pleasant day in the blind. I really hope we get some snow though…everything looks prettier covered in white.

Eagle Journal November 30, 2014

Out in the blind before daylight…around 7:30am. Ravens and crows wake up before 8:00. A 2^nd year eagle flies over me from the east to land in the tree. The crows and ravens are really carrying on out in the field. The eagle disappeared around 8:20…hopefully it will be back.

It is really windy out of the northwest but mild…in the forties…very overcast and damp out.

Eagle flying around 8:45. The crows and ravens are squawking and carrying on all around me.

Finally around 9:10 eagle in the tree….flown off again. URRGGGHHH!

Ok…two eagles in the tree across the road at 9:30…3^rd and 4^th years…come on in! One headed back to the woods.

Rough-legged hawk being chased by a raven at 9:40.

My eagles are back at 10:15. I hope the one comes in. Looks like a 2^nd year body and a 4^th year head on it. Oh my gosh!! Make that four eagles in the tree…a fifth one flying. Unfortunately I think someone shot a deer last night and dressed it out in the woods across the road. That seems to be where they are all going. Oh well at least they are here!

Finally the gulls are on the pile eating…hope that draws in the eagles.

Mature eagle in the field just out of sight…the 3^rd year took off after it. A scrimmage in the air then the mature went to the north the 3rdyear came back to the tree with the 4^th year.

I had a first year flying to the north of me. It circled the house then landed in the pines to the north. It was getting hassled by the ravens to it flew to the west and landed in the field behind a hill at 10:50 still two eagles in the tree.

Yeah…the mature eagle came back from the north heading right at me. It flew over then landed in the tree near the road at 11:10

We have a rogue raven who is terrorizing the gulls sitting on the barn roof. As if that isn’t enough entertainment it decided to pick on the mature eagle. I love to watch these mischievous birds tangle with the big guys. It just kept at the eagle jabbering and pulling at its tail. It finally got bored and went somewhere else to find something else to pick on. 

Of course as I’m changing out my buddy heater tank the mature takes off. It heads right across to me…and lands in the tree in front and to the left of me!! As it takes off to come down to the pile…the newspaper people drive by and spook it. URGGHHHH! Seriously???

Well, it heads back to the big tree along with the 4^th year.  A 2^nd year flies back into the tree right across the road. It’s now 12:30.

Well…another mature lands in the tree to my left as another one flies in from the east and goes across the road.

That mature flies back across the road where the 2^nd year is. Two matures, a 1^st year and a 4^th year are all in the same tree. Then another 1^st year flies into the tree closest to the road.  Now I have seven eagles!!! Yeah!!!  While I’m watching them one of the matures tries to get the 1sr year probably their young to go get something to no avail.

The 2^nd year….then the 1^st year fly back to the big tree which now has six eagles!! The other mature finally flies back to the east…for now. It is now 1:00!

Even though I have heaters…the cold northwest wind is howling through the blind. Glad I’m dressed warm enough. I could close a window but then you know that’s when something exciting will happen.

Well, the 4^th year left and headed north…then one of the matures disappeared, too. Oh well it was fun while it lasted. Who knows they may be back. I think we may have a few migrating through now.  But I still have four in one tree.

Ok 2:00 the 2^nd year disappeared and I just watched the last adult head north. Now only the two 1^st years left…maybe…just maybe they will try to come in.

Of course while I was taking a ‘break’…a beautiful adult red-tailed hawk landed on the post outside of my window!! But I was able to get some nice shots of it without spooking it off. YEAH!

Almost 3:00pm and one of the 1^st years just did a fly by!!! Hope it comes in…soon.