Eagle Nest at Park 2-16-10

Tuesday PM, the nest looked empty, but someone flew towards it...

After awhile, he flew to branch below and mate appeared . She must have been in there all the time!
Now you see her.....
...and now you don't! (And she didn't fly away.)

Park Scenes - Birds, 2-13-10

The gang's all here at Patuxent River Park, even some we don't often see....

Song sparrow and towhee....
Juvie eagle......
Eagle and hawk!!!! They were very diplomatic in sharing the branch. Hawk left shortly and was not persued....

Hermit thrush......

Park Scenes

At lunchtime on Saturday, the nest looked empty except for the remnants of a garland!!....

But, a few feet up the road, a flash of white caught the eye!
At the top of the River bank near the office, we were treated to the movement of an adult eagle all afternoon.....

He flew in a few circles and landed in a tree right out the back window of our building!...

Park Scenes

Many like to eat Under the feeder....

"Nobody bothers me!".....
King of the hill....
Could be hazardous to your health.......

Park Scenes

Wow! When leaving the Park, looks like someone's sitting in the nest. Since we haven't been there for a week , her behavior isn't known. Wonder what's in the nest?

Icy creek on other side of road from nest location...

The new Airfield Memorial at end of Croom Airport Road.....

Group campsites are empty. Campers must be late!

At Home in the Snow I

Cardinal in "Magnolia Acres" through the frosty window, 2-10-10....

A nice stretch....

...before naptime...

Shorty is Back!!!

Shorty disappeared after the first blizzard, but finally returned on 2-12.

Had placed the peanut in front of my boot, but Shorty was too fast to get a picture of him nabbing it. The ground has disappeared, so Shorty buried a few in the snow bank! If they hadn't been roasted, the neighborhood in spring might look like a Georgia peanut farm!

At Home in the Snow II, 2-14

What a morning surprise! Haven't seen a towhee at home for a long time, but one was at Park all day Saturday....

The wind decorations are solid ice!

Seen from inside...

This cardinal was on the snow on 2-6-10...

Snow Angel

Egg Roll 2-9

Birds and Snow, 2-6-10

Wooden eagle??

Birdbath base and Japanese lantern on back patio by rhododendron....
Cardinal is eating lantana seeds from plant in flowerpot!!!

Nest Sat. Night

Can see the right outer edge of snowy nest. Is that a head at 12 and tail at 3, maybe?

Some Snow Action Feb. 6

While outside our side door, heard a CRACK, saw electric wires that run through the tree bounce! A branch had broken. All the wires attach to the back corner of the house and were right over my head! Luckily, broken branch was not touching any of them.

View from front door.....
Next door, a branch broke on magnolia tree and fell across power lines above the street....
The Ickey Shuffle performed by the Juncos, accompanied by NASCAR Prerace Show. Bread crumbs had been placed on that area earlier. Normally this group and white-throated sparrows shuffle through dead leaves to find seeds and berries on the ground.

If you're not familiar with "The Ickey Shuffle", here's a link;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8f-m-Fmd1lY&NR=1

(there is a directional difference in the steps)