Mating Season Coming Up

The River Again!

The day was a little warmer with temperatures around the freezing mark. My friends the Common Goldeneyes were still around swimming in the current and diving for food. They appear to have over wintered well. They are one of my favourite ducks.  

The Eagles were still hanging out in the tree andwere kind of watching Daphne. Unfortunately they were in sleep mode and unwilling to fly.

They sure are majestic in their manner, like don't muss with me!

These two seem to hang out together. Whether they will be a nesting pair we will see.

We have enough snow now that travel in the bush requires snow shoes and a lot of effort. It appears the forecast for the next two weeks is good and I can get back out looking for other critters.

Have a great weekend!

Eagles

 

 This is kind of a bomb of Eagles. There were two of them hanging around some open water on the Athabasca River. It was very cold -30C and they were conserving energy.

At the end you can see three ducks in the river that were watching the eagles that were watching them

I almost got a good photo of a Pileated Woodpecker that was hastily vacating the area. Unfortunately, even 1/1600th of a second did not stop him in flight.

The photos will bigify if you double click on them

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was out today getting a load of composted manure for the new gardens in town when I looked up and saw these gals coming out of the trees

 The farmer had a couple of picnic tables in the field 

 They are looking pretty scraggly and are starting to shed out. I wished my dogs would start.

 Yep, a pretty rough coat!

 I also saw this, which was a bonus! Look at the bottom of the arrow.

Is this better? Apparently they have a nest. I am going to ask for permission to sneak around once they are established.

This is even better. Note: all these shots were taken from the same position with me on a break, sitting down and leaning against a truck tire. I really like my Canon with it's super long but compact lens.

This is why my camera goes every where I do.