January 26 – My Nature Journal
2025-01-26 Nature Journal
Bald Eagle
(Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
Today’s adventure at the lake turned out to be an exciting wildlife experience.
I spotted this juvenile Bald Eagle flapping its way across open water from the far side of the lake.
It was too far away to photograph in flight but I watched it approach the tall pine trees that lined the lake shore and marked the tree in which it landed.
As often happens, the eagle landed quite a distance from where I stood. I wanted a closer look but since I can’t fly (man, I wish I could fly), my only option was to speed-walk around the curve of the lake with my eyes locked onto the pine tree.
I slowed my pace as I neared the tree in which I believed the Bald Eagle still perched and scanned the limbs for the bird.
I spotted him (or her—there’s no way to know for sure) high up in the boughs, nearly hidden by branches and needles. Bald Eagles are very large, impressive birds and you wouldn’t think they can disappear so easily into the landscape, but this one was extremely unobtrusive.
It made no noise at all. In fact, several people walked straight past the tree in which the eagle perched without looking up or realizing the bird was there. Now, to be fair, perhaps they knew that one of the most fabulous wild predators in the country was perched right above their heads and they just didn’t care.
While that wasn’t the impression I got—and I personally can’t fathom such a bizarre notion—I suppose it’s possible.
When I trained my telephoto lens on the bird, I got a surprise. The Bald Eagle had perched to eat a large fish that it must have had clutched in its talons when I watched it fly across the lake.
By the time I arrived, the poor fish was headless and the Bald Eagle was busy ripping the rest of it to shreds.
It was amazing to watch this huge bird pin the slippery fish down against the tree limb with its long, curved, black talons, then tear away long strips of flesh, and gulp them down.
In no time at all, this Bald Eagle finished his breakfast, and there was one fewer fish in the lake.
White-throated Sparrow
(Zonotrichia albicollis)
This White-throated Sparrow startled me by rustling around the dead leaves off the side of the trail.
While striking in isolation, these birds blend so perfectly against chaotic natural backgrounds that I find them very difficult to spot until they move.
This particular bird was also very hard to photograph because he wouldn’t hold still. He darted, fluttered, and hopped around. He kicked the leaves with both feet then pecked at tiny seeds with quick, little movements. I had to wait for him to pause to get any kind of clean shot.
But, of course, as soon as he held still, I lost him—he just disappeared against the background. I took several shots just on faith that he was positioned in the frame.
He was also foraging in a shaded area under tree cover so it was tough getting sharp-enough shots in such low light.
But he was a lot of fun to watch.
Killdeer
(Charadrius vociferus)
Killdeer are nearly always on the lake when I visit as they’re year-round residents in my area. I think they are attractive little birds and also appreciate that they are agreeable photographic subjects. Because they forage the mudflats for tiny prey buried in the sand, they’re often out in the open and they pause frequently.
I’m also always struck by how loud their calls are. Even accounting for how strongly sound travels over open water, you can hear Killdeer calling to each other from the other side of the entire lake.
To me, the sound of Killdeer are as much a part of the freshwater lake experience as the sound of gulls at the beach.
Myrtle Warbler
(Setophaga coronata)
Today’s skies had some scattered clouds so the light varied from sunny to overcast. I spotted this Myrtle Warbler during one of the periods of relative shade. The dimmer light this Myrtle Warbler’s bright yellow side and rump patches practically glow.
He flitted around the edge of the lake but appeared to be all alone. I scanned the nearby vegetation, expecting to see others, but if they were there, I couldn’t spot them. As I moved on, I kept watch for other warblers but never saw any.
I wondered if this Myrtle Warbler felt lonely.
Today’s Nature Journal Snapshot
|
Time of Day |
Mid-afternoon |
|
Setting |
Large lake |
|
Temperature |
56° F / 13° C |
|
Weather |
Scattered clouds |
|
Humidity |
25% |
2024-01-26 Nature Journal
Red-shouldered Hawk
(Buteo lineatus)
I see more Red-shouldered Hawks during my nature walks than any other raptor species; they’re very common in my area.
And yet, seeing one always thrills me.
Much, much smaller than Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), significantly smaller than the also-common Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), Red-shouldered Hawks are still impressive birds of prey, with wingspans around 3 feet 4 inches (1 m).
Red-shouldered Hawks are birds of the forest, rather than open spaces. They hunt in lowland forests, under the tree canopy. I see them perched in low tree branches near forest edges, pools, and streams often.
Today’s Nature Journal Snapshot
|
Time of Day |
Mid-afternoon |
|
Setting |
Oak/hickory forest |
|
Temperature |
73° F / 23° C |
|
Weather |
Partly cloudy |
|
Humidity |
69% |
