Two Bald Eagles & Nest Update : November 9, 2024

Off and on this week, I thought about the two Bald Eagles that I saw building their nest at Carburn Park. I shared this as a "love story" in last Sunday's blog post.  This morning I ventured back there, excited to see the progress the Eagles were making.  Before checking out any other areas in the Park for nature's sights and sounds, I made a bee-line for that spot down by the river.  I did not really expect to have this update for you this soon!  The tree is down!  Some time between Sunday and this morning, the beavers chewed through the remaining section of the tree. As I was leaving the location, two of the guys who were also there last Sunday watching along side me, came down the path towards the river.  I told them what I saw and went back to that spot with them.  We stood starring!  Silence!  One guy said "That was quick!" Silence again!  I felt like we were in mourning!  Nothing more was said!  I left knowing, another day I will come back with hopes I will see the Bald Eagles building a nest in another tree.  

The tree is laying on the ground at left.

a close up view

Further along the trail, I veered off to go back down by the river in another area with hopes of seeing some ducks.  I did see ducks but I also saw this Buck crossing the river.  It was so funny to see the male Mallard Duck starring at the Buck! I watched the Buck until it made it to the other side. 

It's almost to the other side.  It stopped and looked up the hill.  Right after I took this photo, the Buck made a leap for the hill, it slipped when it landed on the hillside, stumbled a bit then gathered itself and made a mad dash this time with success.  

After checking out that section of the River, I followed another path heading east to see another part of the River with hopes of seeing the Harlequin Duck.  On the way there, this Mother and Child pair of deer came out of the bushes and sauntered along the path in front of me.  They were not bothered by me being on their tail.  What they were bothered by was a squirrel!  

When I arrived where I thought the Harlequin Duck might be, there were none in sight.  What I did see were a few male & female Buffleheads.  I think this guy might have been doing the mating dance as he was continuously putting on a display like this.  I like how you can see a couple of drops of water falling from his beak.  

a muskrat gathering pieces of greenery for a snack

Duck!  No I don't mean it's a duck, I mean duck your head!  This male Downy Woodpecker came for my head a few times.  There was no zooming in for this shot, I got this close.  I had no food for it, but obviously other people have offered up treats.  

I feel I want another something to have to check up on! There is still the Siberian Larch Tree at the Birth Forest I can check in on again to see how it is doing.  I was invested in those two Bald Eagles building their nest even though I saw them only once before the Beavers fully took over.   The only way I am going to have another something to have to check up on is if I go out looking for something!