OBNWR Menagerie

I've made several trips to OBNWR in this string of amazingly beautiful Spring days. Here are some highlights.

Juvenile Bald Eagle

Meeting in the Nest

Head Cocked to the Side

Osprey on the Nest

Fetching Material for the Nest

Leaving the Nest

I heard this turkey before I saw it. When I saw it, it had its rear to me with the feathers all spread out. I waited for it to turn, and it put its feathers down and walked into the woods, not giving me a chance for a better look at its head. It was in dark shade, and I only just had time to adjust the camera before it disappeared.

Very Colorful Wild Turkey

 This woodpecker is banded.

Woodpecker

OBNWR

It was a tough week (I resigned from my job of 16 years) and I needed to unwind after work on Friday. I grabbed my camera and went to the refuge for a walk in the late afternoon sunlight.

There wasn't much action. The eagles were no longer hanging out in the grove by the shore. Only the eagles at the nests were visible, and the occasional osprey flew by.

I did observe two eagles harassing each other, but they were too high for anything usable. However, one of them did drift lower for a minute, and I was in a good position for clear, if small, shots. The shots aren't really usable, and I knew that at the time and didn't take many. I've been observing eagles for a few years now, and I've noticed that they usually keep their talons tucked under their tail feathers. The talons come out when harassing another bird in the air, landing, or snatching a fish. I was surprised to notice that the eagle that drifted lower had its talons out, with no other bird nearby. Then I was glad that I wasn't all that close after all.

Look Out Below

I had a few fly-by events, along with a (barely) keeper on a nest. And here they are.

Hovering and Fishing

Looking for Fish

Fly-By

Profile

Happy Homemakers

OBNWR

With the warming weather, I've made a few trips to the refuge. Dozens of eagles seem to camp out in one grove near the water. And the ospreys are back. While I've seen some spectacular fishing and fighting, most of it has been obstructed by trees or out of range of my camera. So I don't have much to post, but here are a few of my favorites from several trips.

OK, Who Called This Meeting?

The Mottled Underside of a Young Bald Eagle

Osprey Looking for Fish

Diving for Dinner