Sunday, January 27, 2013

Flock of Eagles 1-26-13

AM
When arriving at Park Visitor Center, we saw many large, dark birds in trees nearby.  Visibility was dim and we assumed they might be vultures, but then the familiar chirp/squeal was heard and we knew they were eagles. They started flying towards the river before we could get any closeup pics and we saw these four, 2 adults & 2 juvies on the Jug Bay ice......
 # 5, a juvie, was upriver from the others....
 # 6, a juvie was down by the edge of the river channel....
 # 6 is on the left and flapping was seen near the dead tree on right...
Somewhat blurry, but an eagle silhouette near right end of tree. # 7?.....
 # 5 gets help from another adult trying to remove twigs from the ice.....
 
 And then there were 3 (in original group)....
 
Back near the office, this juvie returned to the trees where all had clustered earlier....
 And then there was sun!!!! for awhile.....

PM
Surprise, surprise! This eagle was in trees on right side of road very close passed the office. We had just spoken about driving slowly when leaving, as that's a spot where they sometimes perch!....
Car didn't seem to bother it and was able to lower the side window for a pic....

 Another surprise! A nest occupant was there!!!!.....
 Serious nestorations....
 

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Signs and Banners

At Chelsea (farm office) exhibit shop, we made sets of these for an upcoming event sponsored by one of the nature centers. Two of these 3' by 8' banners.....
Made ten 32" by 48" road signs and will be making ten 18" by 24" directional signs with the mineral logo designed by our newest graphic artist...  ;>)

Sunday, January 20, 2013

New Year Critters

At Chelsea farmhouse office, the gang was all there!....
Two red-shouldered hawks were in a field and flew up as the car approached.....

Longshot from the Park Entrance road of the eagle nest at dusk.
Although no one got pictures, we have had two unusual bird sightings at the Park~~~a brown pelican and a golden eagle!!!!

Kitty Xmas 2012

Santa tried an experiment delivering the presents Xmas Eve. Didn't work as Binky started attacking the bows. All but gift bags were returned to the pack.
Early Xmas morning, a present had been removed from the "kitty" gift bag and unwrapped!!! It was a ducky, mini-DOG toy!!...
Scooter checks the wrapping. We know she wouldn't do this!!...
Scooter then got comfortable in a sunspot on Dad's new jacket...
Soon, the new ducky was taken to a place of honor by Binky.....
 
A few days later, a new toy from China was brought to the kitchen!.....
Mom got a new panda with turqouise jacket!!!!....
Texas Xmas Grand Kitties
New kittens at daughter's home are Oscar and Emmy, snoozing on Dad's legs...
Oh, Boy! We like Xmas!!....
Makes you tired, though......

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Big Birds 12-28 & 29, 2012

At Chelsea farmhouse office on Friday, we saw a Canada goose of a different color! A group was on the other side of the pond and one had a white neck and multicolor head.... 
 Could see back of neck and head while it was nibbling....
 Marching to the pond....

Eagle Saturday!!

Near the Park office in the AM, this lovely eagle juvie landed in a tree...
 He then flew to end of branch....

 Taking off for the River....
We ran outside to see where the juvie landed, so here's a panorama where he was taking off from the left of the river center spit of banking....
 Here's a "key".... 
1. A second juvie who stayed on the mud spit
                          2. The juvie who had left the office tree
                          3. Displaced solar panels for osprey cam
                          4. The osprey nest platform where we saw the pelican!!!

Here's a closer pic of juvie, Polka-Dotty, probably looking for fish...
Surprise, surprise! An adult came to a tree across the road from the office just before quitting time!
We didn't see our nesting pair on the way out.

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Happy Holidays

All the brightest wishes through
the holidays...through the year!
from Loretta & Frank

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Bird of Prey Day 12-11-12

A falconer friend of our Park naturalist, Greg K., brought his red-tailed hawk to the Park fields...
 Removing hawk's hood...
 Stowing hood in special case on suspenders....
 Looking around in the nearby trees.....
 Everyone saw a possum! It was too large.....
 The hawk brought a much smaller critter back to it's keeper......