Fur, Feathers, and Fabric (and a couple other photos!)

One of the prettier days when the mountains could be seen from Dad's bench. 

A VERY scruffy bull moose in the area. I first saw him and was certain he was a horse. Then, as the car got closer, I realised it was a mangy moose losing his winter coat! 

Sunset over by the Senior Center- 

 The bluff is in VERY bad shape.

While down by Arness Dock, I spied this very young eagle. Not immature, as it has it's adult plumage. But, he's a young adult! There was also one swooping over the lake the other day. 

The babies are being born!!! I spied a pair of twins near the yard this morning and last  night, I spotted this mamma and baby. They didn't stick around for photographs! 

The author I met at the Kenai Fabric Center. I'm holding her newest book (it was left at the fabric store!) and Patience Griffin is holding fabric created for the quilts in her novels. Follow the link to find out more! 

I went for a short walk when I got back to the house and found a LOT of mosquitoes. Jon asked if they were in force yet. Yes, Jonathan, they are! 

Steve sent this photo of Dorothy and Jon on Memorial Day. Notice how Jon has his arm around Grandma? Color me one impressed mom! 

A Herald of May

These first two photos were taken before May 1, I had stopped by the bluff near the Senior Center and sighted a couple of beluga in the river. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get a picture. It has been really windy the last couple of days and even the birds can't keep their plumage tidy! 

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Immature eagle in the wind. Check out those talons! I met a couple from LaGrande while on the bluff. The man was looking for a good eagle photo, but said they were trash birds. I laughed. 

 May 1 I hiked thru the muskeg to see if I could capture a few waterfowl photos. I'm not sure I'll go out again, it was really wet! I forgot to pay attention to my feet and slipped in the grasses almost to the car, bad idea!!!

 I had gone out because earlier I had driven past and noticed this giant white bird on the ice. It was all folded up and I was afraid it was dead. Nope, it was just sleeping! I can't imagine sleeping on ice, but all the birds were doing it!

 The ice didn't seem to be more than a rather chilly shelf to hang out on. I laughed at this photo! Walking and sleeping on ice in the sun seemed the thing to do on the first day of May.

I think this is a lesser yellow legs, similar to the greater yellow legs, but smaller. I could be wrong, however.

 I took this to show how far away I was from the edge of the ice. I did walk up to the 'shore', it was uncertain in spots. I opted to stand where I could tell the ground was solid.

 There were lots of birds flying. These two passed over the icy lake and startled the lone swan on the ice. I think there were tern, but they were moving pretty darn fast to do more than see their white graceful shapes as they darted around.

 Muskeg!

These last photos I was on the edge of the shore, I had hoped the swan would come closer. It didn't.

 When I got back to the house, mum told me she had a flower getting ready to bloom. I'm so glad I scattered these seeds last year! I love their perky blooms. (violas)

Deadly Beauty

You can't really tell from the photos, but this giant predator was only feet from the house. I went out and watched him for a couple of hours. I also took about 70 plus photos with my point and shoot-Which is obvious in many of these shots. When the bird was perched on this snag, you could tell it was wet. Really wet. It sat in the chill wind and sunshine to dry off. Many of my photos are similar-I did sneak closer and closer, til I was almost directly under him. He wasn't afraid of me. Eventually, he was dry and flew down to the lily pad portion of the lake. Some of the ducks were outside of the greens and he struck. I managed to take several really very bad photos of his snacking, only one is posted. It was across the lake around 1030 pm and the eagle was eating rapidly. After he finished, he flew the length of the lake again, lowering his talons on families of  ducks who dove (maybe why the bird was wet in the first place??). However, he soared back down to the lily pads and I am pretty sure got another baby. I watched it in a tree and when I lost sight of it, there was a LOT of noise.  I reckon this particular bird will hang around for a while. I didn't see the osprey or immature eagle and I only saw one loon today. These babies aren't going to last long. 

I can't find who said this, but it is true: "Nature is not family friendly." 

 

 

                                                                    A baleful look!

                                  Duckling on a branch? I think I will. Delicious, who is next?