A Surprise Visit

Wow! What a great weekend! On Friday morning as I sat outside on my back deck I was entertained by a variety of the local wildlife. First there were ten turkeys right along the fence line bordering the back yard. The jake was strutting his stuff and showing off for his harem of hens. His strutting captured the attention of our chickens and rooster so they decided to get a close up inspection of them. The rooster thought he would show up the jake with his crowing to his own harem of chicks which the jake took offense to and gobbled right back at him! I've included a little video to show you their antics. With all the showing off going on two squirrels decided to join in. They were hopping around and eating whatever they could find in the yard.

A short time later, as I was uploading the video I had made of them, there was this loud and sizzling pop just to my right and as I looked over I noticed something falling and then a kerplunk as it hit the ground.  A sick feeling washed over me and I thought, "OH, NO!! It couldn't have been!!" As you might have guessed I had just witnessed the untimely demise of one of the squirrels I had taped earlier. Unfortunately for the squirrel and thankfully for me it only blinked the power off and didn't totally wipe out the transformer.

As I sat pondering the ill-fated squirrel I noticed buzzards flying around where one of our mama cows had just given birth the night before to a healthy and beautiful baby calf. Buzzards will eat anything and afterbirth is no exception. (My apologies to those with weak stomachs.) As those ugliest of God's creatures were circling I caught a movement out of the corner of my eye to the left. Something was flying towards the buzzards. Immediately I noticed it was larger than the others and then I noticed it had a white head! I had to rub my eyes because I thought I was seeing things...it was an American Bald Eagle!! I have never seen one in the wild before much less right here on my own property. For those of you who don't deer hunt a hunter will get what's called Buck Fever which simply means when they spot that big buck they get so excited that they start to shake with great anticipation and excitement. It is the highest of highs for a hunter. Well, I'm here to tell you I had EAGLE FEVER!!

Thankfully, I had my camera beside me and as I was turning it on I was fervently saying a prayer to God to please let me get at least one picture because I knew if I didn't no one would believe me because we just don't see them around here. I was shaking with utter excitement and it's a wonder I didn't drop my camera! This beautiful and majestic bird landed in a tree and I was able to get that picture I so desperately wanted. It sat there for a few minutes and then started to fly towards my house. Of course, I didn't have my camera set to take multiple frames or fast moving objects so I was all over the place trying to focus in on it. Let me tell you...that eagle flew right at me and I did manage to get a partial shot of him flying. He flew right up and over where I was standing and I was just in awe!

After loading the pictures to my laptop I noticed in the shot where he was flying that he carried something in his talons. I can't tell exactly what it is, but I'm thrilled with the fact that I was even able to get a picture. It sort of looks like a fish, but I'm just not sure. If you can figure it out I'd be grateful to know what you think.

Well, that's all I have for now. Have a great day everyone!!

Living and loving my life in the country where ALL the action happens,

Rita