"On the Waterfront" - Vol. #7

All it takes is a Bald Eagle to fly over the field to send them into the air ..... but they usually circle around and settle back down. This photo was taken at some. distance

One more of the Snow Geese ......

It was a gray day so I thought I might as well turn this shot of the Tundra Swans into a black and white photo.

This Bald Eagle was so close as he flew past me I couldn't get the complete bird in the viewfinder. So, this is what I salvaged .......

Boi-i-i-i-i-ng! That was the sound of my eyeballs popping out of there sockets at that last shot, Linth. Fantastic.

Thanks, Margaret. Are the fires near Perth affecting you at all ?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12378717

Not directly, Linth. Thank you for asking. We're close to the coast and therefore removed from the fires, which are about 50km east of here. A girlfriend of mine had to evacuate her house in Roleystone yesterday. Sixty four homes have been destroyed and thirty two have been damaged. The fire is currently contained and under control. Other fires north along the escarpment have also been contained. Apparently both fires were accidentally started. The large one which has destroyed so many homes was ignited by a spark from an angle grinder. I have no sympathy for arsonists - I categorize them with terrorists, but the person whose careless and unthinking act has caused such devastation will have that on his/her conscience for ever.

That's certainly good to hear, i.e. that you are not threatened by the fire. We have the same problem each year here in the western states.

Here is a series of the Canvasback duck. They are a handsome and striking bird. In this photo, they are playing "follow the leader". A few Lesser Scaups also joined in.

On this particular day, the lighting was terrible but the "cracked ice" provided a neat setting. This is the female Canvasback being refrigerated.

And, here is the male sitting in the ice chips ......

A close-up of the male Canvasback ......

A female Canvasback taking a bath ......

For whatever reason, this photo always catches my eye .......

Excellent shots Linth!!

Thanks, Burd. And, Margaret, thanks for getting back. Glad to hear that you (and Whopper) are in no danger from the wildfires.

While photographing the White Pelicans, a pair of juvenile Bald Eagles were "playing" nearby. One did have a fish and as you might expect, the other would rather try to steal it then catch his own. I did get a photo of them locking talons but it was way off in the distance.

Here it is, but a lousy photo ........

Here is an adult Bald Eagle flying nearby ......

During mid-day you wonder where they went but by 3 p.m. activity starts to pick up. I assume that they take a long siesta. My wife and I pack a lunch and during the lull in activity we sit near the water and take in the scenery. What more could one ask for ?

Another fly over ......

They can often be seen sitting on a small island out in the water ...... I wonder what they are "talking" about !

Or, in a tree, off in the distance ..... but one thing for sure ... this time of year you will see the adults sitting together.

By the way, I am quite certain that I heard an Osprey last Friday. I checked out one of the local nests but didn't see anything. It probably was calling for its mate which hasn't arrived yet. Anyway, wishful thinking. Spring is in the air. So said the Groundhog !

This is the last photo I plan to post on this thread. Next posting will be on a new "On the Waterfront" thread.

I really look forward to your new thread, Linth. But before closing, I must say what a great shot that is of the male and female canvasback, one behind the other. Well, I mean they're all great, but I really like that one.

Wow, it may be awfully cold there, but I have to tell you the icy water sure looks pretty in your photos. Love all the photos, especially your "lousy" one where the eagles are locking the talons-awesome! I love watching them play and hope to get some of my own photos this spring. Thanks for sharing all your photos with us and I'll watch for the new start too!

Well done Charley. I did not see any Eagles when I was there, nor the Pelicans - that would have made my day.

Hey linth where did you capture the eagles and the canvasback ducks? I have had a much luck at capturing Bald eagles lately. I've seen them but they've been either faraway or fly away when they see me. check me out on flicker Ive got some good Northern shoveler photos and a decent hooded merganser.

Here is my Hooded merganser also from the same place Huntley Meadows Park, VA

ejw, the photos of the Bald Eagles on this thread were taken at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. The Canvasback photos were taken on the shore of the Choptank River, in Cambridge, MD.

I forgot to add the link to the new thread. Here it is .... to Vol. #8. I'll be adding a few photos to the new thread, shortly.

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1157758/