The Birds
I never thought I'd be interested in birds. I'm still not. However, with that said, I have had a brief moment in my life where I have witnessed some pretty incredible sights while walking.
Along the Provo River Trail, there are some tall, old trees that border the river. These trees have become a resting spot for the Bald Eagle. Sometimes not only one, but two, three, or four at a time (the most we've seen in 2006-2007). A few years ago, we saw 14+ at one time in the trees. It was truly a remarkable site. They are beautiful, majestic birds, and it is always amazing to watch them. They are only there during the winter months, and it seems that the colder the weather, the better chance you have of seeing them.
Not long ago as we were walking, there was one bald eagle in the tree that had no doubt swept up a duck who was swimming along the river below. He had the duck tucked up under his wing, and I think the duck may have still been alive. It was remarkable to see this, and I'm not sure that we'll see something like it again. I'm sure that the duck wasn't around long, because the eagle had a hold of him and was clearly in charge of the situation.
Another time when we were walking, a large bird flew from a tree above us to across the river. It was a Great Horned Owl. We obviously spooked him as we walked, and I suppose we were as surprised to see him as he was to see us. Again, a very beautiful bird. Oft times when we have passed that spot, I have looked again for the owl, but have never been lucky enough to see the Great Horned Owl since that one day. I suspect we were lucky to see him.
One day we were walking at another spot along the trail. Not more than 10-20 feet in front of us, two quail came out of the brush and onto the trail, followed by their tiny newborn quail, all in a row rapidly behind them. I know that I was again lucky to see such a sight. The adults quickly departed the trail to the other side, with the tiny newborns right behind them. It melted my heart to see this precious little family unit on the trail.
We have seen beautiful ducks throughout our walks, some very common, and some not so common. Unfortunately, I am not able to identify the different varieties, but know that I am lucky to see these different birds in their natural environment. I sometimes feel like I am infringing upon their territory (which I am), but thus far we have all "gotten along" and each seems to be aware of the other.
I never thought I'd be interested in birds. I'm still not. However, with that said, I have had a brief moment in my life where I have witnessed some pretty incredible sights while walking.
Along the Provo River Trail, there are some tall, old trees that border the river. These trees have become a resting spot for the Bald Eagle. Sometimes not only one, but two, three, or four at a time (the most we've seen in 2006-2007). A few years ago, we saw 14+ at one time in the trees. It was truly a remarkable site. They are beautiful, majestic birds, and it is always amazing to watch them. They are only there during the winter months, and it seems that the colder the weather, the better chance you have of seeing them.
Not long ago as we were walking, there was one bald eagle in the tree that had no doubt swept up a duck who was swimming along the river below. He had the duck tucked up under his wing, and I think the duck may have still been alive. It was remarkable to see this, and I'm not sure that we'll see something like it again. I'm sure that the duck wasn't around long, because the eagle had a hold of him and was clearly in charge of the situation.
Another time when we were walking, a large bird flew from a tree above us to across the river. It was a Great Horned Owl. We obviously spooked him as we walked, and I suppose we were as surprised to see him as he was to see us. Again, a very beautiful bird. Oft times when we have passed that spot, I have looked again for the owl, but have never been lucky enough to see the Great Horned Owl since that one day. I suspect we were lucky to see him.
One day we were walking at another spot along the trail. Not more than 10-20 feet in front of us, two quail came out of the brush and onto the trail, followed by their tiny newborn quail, all in a row rapidly behind them. I know that I was again lucky to see such a sight. The adults quickly departed the trail to the other side, with the tiny newborns right behind them. It melted my heart to see this precious little family unit on the trail.
We have seen beautiful ducks throughout our walks, some very common, and some not so common. Unfortunately, I am not able to identify the different varieties, but know that I am lucky to see these different birds in their natural environment. I sometimes feel like I am infringing upon their territory (which I am), but thus far we have all "gotten along" and each seems to be aware of the other.
posted by Susan | 2:26 PM
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