 Hard to believe, but after 5 full weeks of nestside reporting , I am going to take a break and go out to the West Coast fishing! I am nervous about what LittleEagle will do in my absence, however I am confident Nature will take the best course. I feel very positive about LittleEagle, his ability to thrive and survive! Thanks to everyone for the great stream of comments, both here and on FB as I followed the activities of the nest in Sidney... All are very very appreciated! I will see you in a few days and report back on the nest ..... All the very best.... TerryV  LittleEagle seen here foraging at low tide just like his sibling Eaglets  ! whooo-hooo Beach time !
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  LittleEagle's Mom greets the morning , sitting on her golden throne!  Good Morning to everyone! As an aspiting wildlife photographer, I am constantly in awe of the natural world and wild places.... Even if my subjects are in the back yard, these creatures are wild, free of human needs and always surprise me. This morning I photographed a Kingfisher, Blue Herons, our favourite Eagle family, and a pack of River Otters. The Otters were foraging and catching multitudes of fish in a morning community hunt. I have never seen such a gathering! LittleEagle was heard but not seen.. however I did hear that our favourite RT Hawk is wandering farther and farther afield these days...    Hero of the Day... LittleEagle!
What happened this afternoon, you might ask... I missed the action, but 2 local residents hear a blood curdling Eagle scream just after Noon today and rushed outside to see what had happened. It seems a pair of interloping Eagles had dropped down from the skies with intention to fly into our Sidney Eagle family's air space but was met promptly by the parent pair of Eagles. I am told that 3 separate attacks were made and during this time the young Eaglets came into the nest and surrounding trees absolutely terrified and stayed down shrieking. Meanwhile as Mom and Dad were defending the nest against this attack, LittleEagle came flying out of one of his usual haunts and prepared to help in the defence. He flew fast and furious with talons extended in full attack mode. Fortunately the parent Eagles were able to repel the intruders with no casualties and littleEagle did not have to test his weaponry. This little (Big) Eagle will go down in history as having one of the greatest Eagle Spirits ... Despite this extreme bravery, just after I shot this photo of him circling overhead in a victory lap, 2 crows appeared out of nowhere and forced him into the thicker trees... sigh.. Dang Crows! Ohh the horror! Have you ever seen Alfred Hitchcock's movie called "The Birds" well, LittleEagle lives this nightmare each day... Normally Crows are the bane of his existence but this evening the attack birds were Robins, flying around him and squawking noisily... pesky little songbirds! :) I can tell you that LittleEagle is unnerved by these constant bird attacks, but .. He has discovered a defence which is ... Find a tight place to sit within the trees. A small crowd of LittleEagle well wishers observed him tonight in such a spot for more than an hour. (poor light for photography, but we tried) Back at the nest.. things were the quietest I have ever seen.. Not an Eagle , nor Eaglet in sight... Until nearly 9:30 when most reasonably same observers had gone home. I was just packing up when I heard a loud, excited Eaglet cry which signalled a parent nearby. One Eaglet came zooming into the Nest Tree , then another flew over and landed nearby. I think an adult Eagle had just landed in the nest and then left... tough to see in the dimming light, but the kids were hungry and something made them fly in. Too dark for photos but for anyone who asked this evening if the adults still came to the nest .. yes they do, but it's getting to be less and less frequent. I did manage to click a few photos, so will post them asap! .. Have a great week & thanks for coming to my blog ........ cheer's TerryV PS.. A giant thank you for the kind folks coming in the evenings to say hello and helping me by buying a card or two!!! This is so appreciated*  Watching for "attack Robins"   Eaglet .. coming or going??    This is the uncropped full frame.. Sometimes the subjects are too close! :)  This is the youngest Eaglet .. contemplating a flight.. A bit later he did make a short one (First time I saw him actually fly to another tree) We believe this lighter coloured , smaller Eaglet is a male. The other 2 Eaglets are quite likely females...  One of the 3 Eaglets relaxes in the early Monday morning sunlight   LittleEagle looking sporty on a Monday morning!!! Click "PLAY" to view above sequence as a slide show... Early morning antics of the oldest 2 Eaglets under the watchful eye of Mom in the background.  What a simply gorgeous Sunday morning here on the Saanich Peninsula. For me a short drive to "the nest" under slightly clouded skies meant a good chance to see some colours in the sky at 6AM (well after sunrise) I wandered the beach and photographed some landscapes, young eagles and observed many of the usual species, like mobs of Canada Geese, Pacific Crows, Blue Herons, Pelagic Cormorants and several Annas Hummingbirds! Also spotted a couple of paddle boarders heading East..      Greetings to everyone and a special Hello to Mr Spooner on his Birthday!!!! Just back from my usual haunt and though I never spotted "LittleEagle" there were a few other highlights today. Another picture perfect Summer day here on the Peninsula and the Eagle Family was quite active. I photographed a food drop by one of the adults , many shots of various Eaglets sitting in the surrounding trees and watched, Blue Herons, Osprey , Turkey Vultures and even a Peregrine Falcon flypast. Photos coming up ASAP! Have a great weekend to everyone and safe travels to my friends from Oregon! Cheer's Terry :)  Momma Eagle flies in with a breakfast snack  1 of the older Eaglets flew over and had breakfast in the nest  YaaaHooo .. Breakfast!!!  The Eaglet dines and Mom takes a breather  Why is everyone else flying? Someone has to guard the nest!!!  Last Eaglet to fledge ,,, Nest Guardian  "Eaglet Fingers"  Evening Eaglet balances on a branch  LittleEagle settles in for the night |
