Very cool !! Things like that are practically a once in a lifetime event. I always have loved the moments in nature that are seen but not captured, and there have been many for me. While I have managed to photograph a few, they are so rare, and happen so fast it’s impossible to catch except in one’s own memory. I am patiently, hopefully, waiting for the technology that will allow one to print photos directly from their brain to paper, thus allowing for the most elusive moments to be shared with everyone. “It is a dream, I have” ….. Jeff Brough www.flickr.com/albums
Eagles (usually Goldens) were one of the reasons the Whooping Crane foster program (whooper eggs put into sandhill nests) at Grays Lake NWR failed. Power lines were also a contributor. Young fostered whoopers suffered badly during migration.
Walked down to the Snake to do some fly-fishing, but wind shut me down. Came back up to the house & was sitting on deck, when heard the croaky call of Sandhill Cranes overhead. Spotted 2 & put binocs on them. Love the sight & sound of spring Sandhills! Soon, 2 Bald Eagles flew in & joined the crane pr in flight.
Suddenly, the lead eagle made a beeline for the lead crane & the chase was on. The eagle matched the Sandhill wing beat for wing beat & rapidly closed the gap. The crane was flying higher & higher, making as tight circles as it could. I thought, is something about to happen here?! I was amazed at the speed of the crane, but its long neck & legs definitely hindered maneuverability. Next thing, the Bald Eagle was above the Sandhill Crane, talons extended & wham! Feathers fly & the hapless crane simply crumpled, & started a long fall to the ground. The other Bald Eagle broke off its flight behind the remaining crane & just headed off.
The Bald that made the strike, followed the fallen crane on down, until both disappeared behind upstream cottonwoods. The remaining Sandhill kept soaring, making big circles overhead & calling for another half hour, until finally disappearing to the east.
39 yrs in this part of the country & have never witnessed such before! An amazing display of nature in all its candor.
I would agree with TOSO. I heard at least one in the N. End this morning. I think they are probably moving through, but I’ve heard them in the N. End more than once this winter. Great photo BTW.
Came across a small flock of this bird at Hyatt Hidden Lakes this morning. Looks like a Townsend’s Solitaire to me, but my track record for guessing isn’t great.
The Washington Ornithological Society is pleased to announce that our annual conference will be in held in the Spokane Valley, June 9 – 12. Its focus will be ‘Shrub-steppe to Meadows to Peaks’.
Features will include: Plenty of half- and full-day field trips Thursday through Sunday Friday photo identification challenge event with Dennis Paulson Saturday banquet and keynote talk by Mike Munts, Wildlife Biologist at Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge, “The Great Gray Owl, Introduction to the Ghost of the Forest”
What is WOS? A forum where birders meet to share information on bird identification, biology, population status, and birding sites. Membership is open to everyone interested in birds and birding. More information? www.wos.org
Covid vaccinations required
Vicki King WOS Program Coordinator
Home of Idaho Birding and the Idaho Bird Records Committee
