Friday, April 20, 2018

Long Story, Must Share...This is Who I Am~

Long story...must share...

4 years ago I happened to see a Bald Eagle carrying a fish across land where I was taking pictures of a Red-Tailed Hawk. I never could quite figure out where the Eagle flew and then someone invited me to go see a Bald Eagle 17 miles from home. It had to have been one of two that I had seen a few weeks prior as it was really close to where I had pulled off the road to snag a few shots of the Hawk. I would go to the land the Eagles were on and just sit in my car and observe them. One day a truck pulled up beside my car and a man rolled down his window..."Hi there... are you getting any good pictures?" he asked. "No not really, they are out of my camera's range." He said "well then, follow me, let's drive on back." He opened the big entry gates and I followed him. Robert had done renovations on historical homes and he had put in a whole lot of love and work into this property, along with his father and son at times. His heart was very attached to this old home. He talked with the Property Manager Juan and another gentleman and allowed me to come and just sit in the quiet of the beauty of this place. Not only were there Bald Eagles, there was a pair of Red-Shouldered Hawks, Coopers Hawks, American Kestrels, Baltimore Orioles, White-tailed Deer, Wild Turkeys and so much more. The home was absolutely gorgeous and I was blessed in being able to photograph the interior twice and that meant so much to me. So many take vacation journeys to the beach, the mountains, but for going on 4 years, this was my place, and I spent hundreds of hours there, alone and quiet and taking in His nature. In 3 seasons with the Eagles I was blessed to watch 2+2+3 Eaglets go from young fluffiness into beautiful soaring birds. In fact last season Kentucky Fish and Wildlife sent a plane over all of the nest sites to see how many eggs were in each nest and last year they thought this nest site had two. It was me who got to officially make the announcement that there were three on the nest and everyone was delighted, but probably not any more than I was. I met some wonderful people along the way and I am forever grateful for having this beautiful blessing given to me. Last year the Governor wanted the property SOLD and I knew that it was just a matter of time then and I would no longer be able to sit on the porch and observe. Last July the nest that had been used for 3 years suddenly broke away and most of it fell to the ground. The birds built a nest in one of their original nest trees, where they had enjoyed perching. It kind of slopes towards the back and it's still under construction. From the first time I observed it I thought...please only a single bird this season and as far as I can tell, that is exactly what there is. Last Tuesday I got the text message that I knew would come...Juan alerted me that the house had been SOLD and they had closed the deal. A family with five children will move in and I am happy for them and filled with some sadness for me. Grateful for the opportunities I have had in this and hoping that I can see the finality of this season and get to observe the young one soar in coming weeks. My heart is full of mixed emotions. This is what I do, this is who I am and for me this is huge. Ever since I was in the 6th grade these large Birds of Prey have been in my heart...since 1978 and having had a Federal permit along with my husband to rehab and release them for a couple of years and then watching them in our area, it is something that is in my blood and this has been so rewarding, and precious for me. These images are heavily cropped and were taken in falling snow this week, but I was filled with such joy in seeing that sweet face of what appears so far to be the only Eaglet on this nest...

Remember to double click on the first image, to view a larger slideshow presentation after you have read the narratives~

I am joining in the fun with Eileen at:

http://viewingnaturewitheileen.blogspot.com/

Saturday's Critter

Anni at:

http://id-rather-b-birdin.blogspot.com/

I'd Rather Be Birdin'

Linking to I'd Rather B Birdin'

Maggie's MOSAIC MONDAY

https://normandylife.blogspot.com/

Wednesday Around the World at Communal Global

http://communalglobal.blogspot.ca/

Stewart for:

http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com.au/

Wild Bird Wednesday

The snow just will not quit in Kentucky, or many parts of the USA...and I am so over being tired of cold weather...

I can't complain though for having too much snow, we have not had a whole lot, just enough to call it in for a school day off and bad road conditions.

National Symbol - Turkey vs. Eagle

"As an old tale goes, after the eagle was chosen for national emblem, Benjamin Franklin questioned the choice. In a letter to his daughter regarding a medal created by the Society of the Cincinnati, he wrote wryly: "The Bald Eagle is too lazy to fish for himself; when the Osprey has taken a fish ... the eagle pursues him and takes it away from him. ... Besides he is a rank coward ..." frightened by a Kingbird. But the Wild Turkey, Franklin wrote, is "a bird of courage [that] would not hesitate to attack a grenadier of the British guards, who should presume to invade his farmyard with a red coat on."

Wild Turkeys in the snow and on display mode ;) ~

I didn't even see this delightful Red-Fox Squirrel until I got home and uploaded my images for the day.

The second Squirrel was at the local park, so adorable, just love this species. Raised and released 6 of them~

A male with two female Mallard Ducks down the lane from Tingsgrove~

As I said above, I am over the cold weather. I have a difficult time getting out in the fresh air when it's cold. My feet have poor circulation and they become very painful. So...I have continued on with my Marbling pour paintings, which have been a great way to escape time and cold. This is my favorite and it will soon be framed. I took close-ups of sections of it. Can you see faces, animals in the large formed cells? Use your imagination...;) I can see lots of things~

The two images on the left are the same painting and I have not decided which direction will be up, or down ;) The two on the right are very small paintings~