Soar like an Eagle

A Bald Eagle soars overhead while I take a break from weeding the garden.

I apologize to everyone for my absence. The weather the last few weeks has been extraordinary. In fact according to the National Weather Service, May was the 7th driest on record, but unfortunately that meant putting down the camera and focusing on some exterior home improvement projects (which required dry weather) and end of the school year activities. When I wasn’t painting fascia boards, so we can install new rain gutters, I was helping stack firewood, weeding, or doing yard work. Occasionally I got my camera out to photograph our progress, but by the end of the day I didn’t have the energy to download load photos or post on the blog. Of course, I would have much rather spent a sunny day sailing, whale watching, hiking, or something, but duty called. I appreciate your patience these last few weeks. If I get some time, I’ll post a few photos on the days I missed, so you might want to scroll down on your next visit to see if I’ve added anything.

If you would like to view more Sky Watch photos from around the planet, just click on the link. Participates always appreciate your comments and thoughts when you visit too.

Canada Geese

Canada Geese (Branta Canadensis) fly over Eagle Beach at low tide. The Eagle Beach State Recreation Area is located approximately 28.7 miles north of downtown Juneau. The snow-covered peaks, in the background, are a few of the mountains within the Chilkat Mountain Range.
To see more Straight Out of the Camera (SOOC) shot just click on the link.

Sky Watch

A Bald Eagle is harassed by a sea gull as it attempts to take a branch back to its nest.

If you’re interested in seeing more Sky Watch photos from around the world, just click on the link.

Bird Watching

This morning I took a walk out the Moraine Ecology Trail, near the Mendenhall Glacier Visitors Center. The air was filled with the music of American Robins (swee-weep-swee-weep). It was the perfect opportunity to do some bird watching and observe all the new signs of spring.

     At one point, I sat down on the ground and leaned against a rock to rest my back and legs. Nearby I observed a Robin foraging the underbrush for bugs, seeds, and worms. I sat still as the rock I was leaning against. I could feel my heart racing. I was afraid it would scare away the bird. I tried to stay as calm as possible and remain motionless. Much to my surprise, it continued to come slowly closer and closer then it hopped up on my leg which was parallel to the ground, looked me in the eye, looked down at its feet, hopped off, and continued its search for food.

It’s definitely one of those experiences I will cherish. Happy Friday!

Eagles

Eagles congregating near the Mendenhall River

Common Merganser

The Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) is the largest of the mergansers. They can be seen year around in southeast Alaska. This particular one along is a female. She along with another female and a male (not pictured) followed the shore dining on small fish.