Saturday, March 21, 2009

Two Lifers & Lousy Photos-Guess what 1 of them was!!!!

Squint your eyes real hard and you will see a Bald Eagle!!!! Remember this was the 2nd bird I had on my list this year of have to see birds no matter what! I found this with the help of the fellow birders I met yesterday as well as the Central Mass Bird Sighting website. The eagle was located at the next town over from me at Riverdale Pond. I find it amazing that they are here and think of it as a good sign that eagles continue to thrive and I hope this continues.

The most frustrating thing was not being able to get close enough to if for a decent photo. You see he was across the pond which is rather large. I thought I could get over there fairly easily until I tried and realized there was more water which would have meant a 40 minute hike most likely.



I watched it for over a half an hour hoping it would fly or move to a better location but it never did.



I am guessing the eagle has been feasting on Canada Goose as I found these feathers in various locations of the pond.


I also saw my first Belted Kingfisher of the season there as well as numerous American Tree Sparrows, White Throated Sparrows, Juncos, Cardinals and all sorts of birds. They were all singing in unison and it was lovely to hear.

I went over to Dorothy Pond in Millbury and there was not a lot there due to people on their four wheelers! Waterfowl hate these things and fly away whenever they hear one. Grrrr, it drives me crazy too because I am always afraid I am going to get hit by one while walking on the trails. I did see one bird though which was my first Bufflehead!! He was very far away so a good photo was impossible. What an adorable little bird though!! So tiny..

Last but not least a Brown Headed Cowbird??? I have seen one of these once but it didn't look as shiny as this one. I thought it may be a Grackle, but don't think it is if you look at its beak.

More birds to add to my list. Spring is a wonderful thing!!!!

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Kim!

Definately a Brown-headed Cowbird on the last photo.

Those Eagles never seem to get in a good place or light, do they? We had 6 here today, but just to far off. They scattered ducks everywhere.

Clouds and snow showers here tomorrow. Might be a good day for some homemade vegeatable soup... yum!

troutbirder said...

What a great outing. I am glad you got to see something new!

Kim said...

Thanks for the heads up John regarding the Eagles! I thought it may have been just this one!! LOL! I swear they can perch longer than the Peregrines! I am going back tomorrow though because I want a better shot and am convinced I may get one.

Sorry to hear about your snow. We are supposed to be in the mid 40's w/ sun tomorrow and wish some it headed up your way too. Homemade veggie soup sounds fabulous right now. I need to make dinner but my body hurts from birding. It's tough getting old. ;o)

Kim said...

Thanks Trout! It was fun but now I am tired.

Anonymous said...

Yay for the eagle, and I think that the Belted Kingfisher is adorable!

A Scattering said...

I'll bet you'll an eagle up close before long, I'll cross my fingers for you.

Anonymous said...

What a fabulous day you have had! Wonderful to find out about where to find the bald eagle from your birding friends. Very happy for your days photos.

FAB said...

Great day you had. Even I could tell it was Bald Eagle! Lol Frank

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Great pictures, Kim... AND--you saw so many great birds today... Glad you saw the eagle even if he wouldn't come closer. I've never seen a cowbird before--so that would be a new one for me.

Hugs,
Betsy

Kelly said...

...wow...what a great day!!! Love the eagle shots and the Bufflehead. I just posted on eagles too, but I didn't see any...just reporting on the progess of a nest in our area.

Rich said...

Kim,
We have lots of Eagles in Alaska. They will not become extinct. They sure are beautiful though.

RuthieJ said...

I could tell it was a bald eagle from the very first picture! Congratulations Kim, you got to see a lot of neat birds in just 1 day.

Jayne said...

Congrats on the eagle sighting! Lucky you! What a great day you had. :c)

NCmountainwoman said...

Wonderful that you saw the "bird on the list" and got the photographs to prove it. Looks like it was another great day birding.

Forty Two East said...

Great blog! I love watching birds. Sometimes when I am working in my workroom I can open the window and hear the birds outside....so peaceful.

Shelley said...

Yea on the Eagle!! And they always seem to hide themselves in a tangle of branches - at least that has been my experience.

Leedra said...

Great series. Still trying to get an up close of an eagle. That is what keeps us out there. I get discouraged and then there I sit and up comes a new bird. All the frustration turns into excitement in an instant.

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Mary said...

Lots of good stuff! I'm glad you found an eagle. I keep checking on the nest we found. Yes, that is a Brown-headed cowbird. I have several of those right now.

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