chapter 346
That's My Baby
5/18/2014
a birds eye view
This baby is growing nicely I believe from this year's spring crop. The juvenile Bald Eagle won't reach maturity for a few years when it will get the white head and tail. It's still huge and majestic looking down for a seafood dinner. The kayak gives me automatic stealth mode but still not easy focusing with the wind, waves, and currents. Must shoot in burst mode and delete...
Sis told me to pick up the discarded baby carriage on the side of the street. It fits into the kayak for just the right center of balance and hand pull height. This is great for a couple spots where I need to portage quite a distance to get to the waters edge like the eagle hangout Vischer Ferry Dam on the Mohawk. Good on gravel too. Impressed with Graco, well designed and built. Not the cheap crap we used for our kids.
Happened to be there last November when the adult parent took exception to the juvenile trying to steal it's fish. Talons were flashed and clawing commenced along with this mid-aerial combat. It was tough love, kicking them out of the nest and telling them to find their own territory. Love means never having to say you are sorry. Never saw the juveniles again. In fact one juvenile came too close to the nest and was dive bombed and nearly killed, taken away to a bird sanctuary for rehab.
I was sneaking up on this young Osprey, another fish eater, which had been harassing the eagle the day before. These raptors exhibit unbelievable claw strength. This species migrates south for the winter as far as South America nearly 3000 miles away in a couple weeks.
...I was climbing up a little hill ducking down so as not to scare the Osprey when I heard all this hissing. The Canada Goose had kept quiet and still thinking I'd not see her, which was true. I almost stepped on the baby eggs.
The Osprey didn't like the Bald Eagle taking his perch. Was screeching and dive bombing the eagle, but to no avail. Bank Swallows all around. An entertaining spot for a walk.
.