We drove out to Mt. Vernon, IN to Hovey Lake yesterday to see if the eagle's nest was occupied. It is easy to see the nest at this time of year even though it is about a quarter of a mile across the lake from where we park. Sorry about the quality of the photos, but at that distance my camera doesn't like to focus too well on auto-focus. Don't know what I would do without a good zoom lens for these distances.
What a great surprise! Both adult eagles were sitting in a tree near the nest! At times like this I really wish I was a better photographer and knew more about how to use my camera, but I'm happy to get anything.
After a while they both flew over to the nest. I believe they should be starting a family soon, so we will have to go back in a few weeks and check on them again. The lake around the nest is frozen right now. I don't know if you can tell in the photo how huge the nest is. I've got part of it cropped off the bottom. It must be at least 6 feet deep. They have been using this nest for a lot of years.
Later one of the eagles flew out to a tree in the middle of the frozen lake. That brought it a bit closer for photos.
In another tree on our side of the lake, we spotted this hawk all fluffed up on a branch.
In the same area some Vultures had landed in the trees and were sunning themselves with wings spread. There were at least 5 more in the nearby trees.
One small area of the lake had a thawed spot and there were a group of what I think were swans sitting in the water....about 20-30. I thought they were Snow Geese at first but then in the photos I could see the longer necks. This lake is on the Indiana side of the Ohio River, but maybe 10 miles or more down river from the place we go on the Kentucky side of the river to look at the Snow Geese, so we thought we might see some geese in this area as well.
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At home over the past week when we had snow, I took some photos of the birds at the feeders.
The Blue Jays love to come and get the peanuts I put out. They stuff their bills with as many as they can get in before flying off.
Filled to the very tip....guess it's time to fly!
The Downy sticks with the suet mostly.
A Mockingbird looking for a few seeds.
The female Red-bellied Woodpecker above and the male below.
Oops......an intruder! Starlings can be so pushy, even the woodpeckers give way.
One of my squirrels with his tail blowing in the wind.
The Titmouse will dig a seed out of the bottom of this almost empty feeder even when there are easier seeds to grab on the tray feeder.
The Wren looks a bit grumpy.
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10 comments:
Oh, Mary, these are great! Wonderful pics of the eagles....I cannot imagine a next that big! There is supposed to be one up near Raccoon lake but I don't know where. And also have heard there is one out at the strip pit area, but not where we can see it from the road.
...love the eagles--very exciting!
Thanks for sending me these Mary. You have such wonderful areas to photograph wildlife, and I'm so sorry I don't get to your blog more. I have been having difficulty even accessing my own. Keep the pictures coming. I love seeing them. No pictures of the Tundra swans this year. It has been such a weird winter. I have heard them 3 times flying over head, but too high for any pictures. Thanks again Mary.
First off,let me say that there is nothing wrong with these pictures.Distance can be a problem even for the best equipment,or photographer,so these are very good.I really like the partially frozen lake with the Swans.That is an artistic shot.Of course,can't leave out the yard birds,always fun to watch and photograph.
Ok sister Mary...they are great! Now it is time to do some winter birding with me in the Rio Grande valley
Those Eagles are cool!
Great bird shots. You are doing great. I just took a camera class to help with my skills. Not so sure I understand it, but I am trying. All your birds are beautiful.
How exciting! Eagles are pretty rare up here. You are so fortunate.
Awesome pics Mary. Love those eagle shots and how cool to see the swans. I wish we would get starlings here but we don't. I have seen one at the lake once. I seen them in other places and think the patterns on their feathers are so beautiful. I have heard they are pushy though. We get blackbirds here quite a bit.
Oh a wonderful series of some of the wildlife I love the most...Michelle
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