Summer Eagles 2021

 Summer Eagles 2021

 My wife and I took two short trips in June-July 2021 to the Trempealeau, Wisconsin area along the Mississippi in search of nesting eagles to photograph. The first place we stopped was at the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, Minnesota.  (where Grumpy Old Men was filmed). A friendly worker there was kind enough to give us a list of places where eagle nests had been spotted in Minnesota and Wisconsin. 

One of the locations was on Badland Road, Alma, Wisconsin and our first attempt at spotting a nest was unsuccessful. But my wife soon alerted me that she saw an eagle in a tree some distance from us. (I should tell you that my wife can spot a gravy stain on my polo shirt from a distance of 50 yards, so I trusted that she saw an eagle.)

 

 

 Not a good photo because of the distance.

In short order, we heard the distinct screeching cry of an eagle and saw it landing in a tree within a few yards of us.

It was obvious that this great bird was warning us that we were in its territory, probably near its nest, although we never did see it. Luckily, I speak Eagle, having taken an elective course at the John Denver School of Bird Conversation. In no time, we agreed to leave the area without disturbing the nest (which we never did locate).

So the eagle happily went on its way without removing one of my eyes.

We then traveled on to the Village of Trempealeau, Wisconsin with no specific location in mind, but little did I know we would find the best eagle sighting ever. Some local residents told us of a nearby house where a pair of eagles returned to their nest almost every year. The nest was in a tree in a resident's back yard, and these are the photos I took.

 

 The adult and its eaglet presented me with the best photo op I ever had of a Bald Eagle and its young, albeit a very unattractive youngster.

 

 

 

 

 

 We waited for some time in case the second adult returned with a fish, but to no avail and we left that day to return home.

A little over three weeks later, we returned to Trempealeau to see how our eagles were doing. As we approached the nest we were surprised by an adult eagle leaving the nest with a fish in its talons, apparently surprised by our presence.

 That eagle did not return with the fish, and I assume that he ate it without sharing.    (Like I am with a gift of dark chocolate.)

As I looked into the nest I was surprised to see two eaglets, considerably larger that the one I saw in June. I was able to get these photos of the two.

Just before we were preparing to leave, I took this photo of the adult eagle returning to the nest.

It circled around a few times and then landed in a nearby tree where it could keep an eye on its two eaglets.

We watched the adult standing guard over the kids for a while and then left, probably for the rest of this nesting period, because the eaglets were certain to become fledglings soon and would test their wings for future flights. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blue Heron family, etc.

 I'm back! Sorry it's taken so long, but I've been very busy arranging my socks in alphabetical order, memorizing all of my 1400 passwords (I've done 6 so far), searching for the escapees from my rare snail collection (they can't get very far), and other extremely pressing business. 

First, allow me to get my seldom-used ego in gear. This is the photo that earned a Blue Ribbon this year at the Ozaukee County Art Exhibit at the Cedarburg Cultural Center. I didn't like it very much but my wife did, so now she's been wearing the ribbon every day at the gym.

There's a Blue Heron heronry on the west side of Wasaukee Road, just north of Donges Bay Road. (And, yes, Wasaukee is the correct spelling.) Anyway, as of today, May 21st., I counted 8 nests containing chicks. The scene is really prehistoric looking, especially since the baby chicks look a lot like their pterodactyl ancestors.

    See what I mean?

 

            

                                                      The happy couple! Just wait!

                                                                           

   Nest-building begins. Furniture from Cheepo Depot.

                             In about 38 days, the chicks arrived, and they grew very fast.

                           By the way, you don't see the male, do you?

                                             Family portrait. I know, adorable, right?

                                        Following photos are from the "etc" collection.

                                       Sandhill Cranes dancing at Horicon marsh.

 

 

Near the heronry one day I saw this innocent Sandhill being attacked by a war-like Canadian Goose. They're very angry birds, those Canadians!

                                                     

                                                       Escape!

A rare encounter with two Whooping Cranes at Horicon marsh.

 

 

Note the ID band on the left ankle.

                                   They left when they spotted my bird cookbook.

Epilogue: 

It's getting warmer every day in Wisconsin, so get out there and enjoy the beautiful sights and sounds of the birds in your neighborhood or at one of the many parks like Lions Den or the Greenfield Park lagoon. But watch out for the Canadians! Geese, that is.