October 6, 2019: Stress Free Eagle Watching

It's nice to enjoy watching a bald eagle on the lake and not have to worry about loon chicks becoming an eagle snack.

I'm pretty sure Harley and Davidson are now strong enough and experienced enough to be able to protect themselves from an eagle.  So when I saw a majestic bald eagle flying over the lake, heading to a tall pine to sit and watch the world - which it did for two hours - I just marveled at the sight.

It's refreshing to know that at a time when we are losing millions of birds every year - 3 billion in fact since 1970 (that's one in every four birds that were on the planet in 1970) [REF:  Science, 4 October, 2019, also Gustave Axleson, Cornell Lab of Ornithology 19 September 2019 and  Christopher Carbone, Fox news, 19 Sept 2019] - that we can save species when we decide it's important enough to us.  Bald eagles, the California Condor, and peregrine falcons are some the species now on the rebound.  (Thank you RP for sharing that article!)

The Canada goose is another species increasing in population, and it's the time of year when, especially on the weekend, you get a reliable wake-up call at exactly one half hour before sunrise.  That's the instant when the reports of shotguns ring out across the lake, immediately followed by the squawking of Canada geese, signalling the commencement of hunting for the day.

A flock of geese takes to the air after a fusillade of gun shots.

And there are quite a few geese and ducks around right now, though I haven't yet seen any of the more interesting ducks on their travels down from points north.

These look like mallards to me.

A nice look at the duck's secondary feathers.

In the September 15 post I remarked that robins are flocking up at this time of year.  There are other species doing the same.  On one morning walk this week I was mobbed by an upset flock of chick-a-dees alerting the forest to the presence of an intruder.  Then just a few minutes later I was given the same treatment by a flock of blue jays from high up in the pine trees.  They must feel they have strength in numbers.

On the topic of reasons to be careful while boating, I came across this while returning from a run this week.

Not a good start to your day of fishing.

Did you notice the water pouring from the driver's door?  He made a slight error in gear selection while launching his boat and ended up in the lake up to the top of his front bumper.  He was able to get back up this far before the engine stalled.  The good Samaritan tried to pull him out, but the rope snapped, so they waited for the tow truck.  Hopefully the vehicle can be saved.

Dave Thorpe did a loon survey yesterday and found both chicks but only one adult.  I have also only seen one adult this past week so it's possible the male has left for the year.  The female usually stays longer watching the kids, but soon, even she will say her final goodbye and head off, leaving Harley and Davidson on their own until just before ice-in, when they will also fly off to the ocean.  Dave is thinking that Davidson, the second hatched, slightly smaller chick is still with mom while the first hatched, Harley, is off on its own.

Harley, seen in the southern end of the lake on Saturday.  Photo by Dave Thorpe.

Davidson, the same day in Marion Cove.  Photo by Dave Thorpe.

Thanks for the update Dave!

If you got up north this past weekend you were treated to some good foliage.  If not, no worries, it will be peaking in the Lakes Region over the next week or two.  Columbus Day weekend should be ideal in the area, as the leaves are just coming on now here at Lake Wicwas.