Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Instead of answering emails, LOL. What to do on a cold February day in Kansas when the Jayhawks are being thrashed by the lowly Cornhuskers? Well go for a hike in the woods, of course. This is a fairly wild area of the Kaw river, about five miles before its confluence with the Missouri river. This is catfish alley; the national records for both blue and flathead catfish came from this stretch of water (the flathead was just taken a couple of weeks ago, so it’s not official yet, they’ll have to make sure it wasn’t noodled).

But I didn’t venture out here to look at cute little ducks. These are migratory eagles from Canada. Many of them winter at an area bird sanctuary, but I feel like a tourist there, so I prefer to observe the ones that winter along the Kaw. We have a couple of pairs that have set up permanent residence here, building nests at area reservoirs. You haven’t seen a bird nest until you’ve seen a bald eagle nest (especially when the feds get done roping it off and posting signs, LOL). These are thrilling animals to observe. They look so nice and cute on their perches, but attack their prey with such power, grace, efficiency, and lightning speed that it is truly awe-inspiring. I do not photograph adults in flight. I have learned that I can either watch them in wonder or try to take their picture, but not both, so I prefer to just stare in amazement. Any photos that I take of an eagle in flight are of a juvenile.

I am pretty proud of these photos. I had to hike along some icy, difficult terrain to get near this guy. I couldn’t believe how close he let me come. Remember, I’m not some wildlife photographer with a huge zoom lens. I’m just an idiot with a digital camera set on “auto”.

See you next year, same time same place. Have an awesome journey, I admire and envy you.

Link to all pics

A GREAT TIME AND ITS NICE TO SEE EAGLES IN THE WILD. WE HAVE SEEN A FEW HERE ON RACCOON MTN. IT'S JUST UP THE HILL FROM OUR HOUSE. I ALSO HAVE A FAVORITE FISHING SPOT WHERE A FISH EAGLE HAS NESTED FOR THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS. I WILL TAKE SOME PICS THE NEXT TIME I DECIDE TO WET A LINE. DO YOU FISH BARRY? I CAN'T BELIEVE I HAVE NEVER ASKED YOU THIS IN OUR CONVERSATIONS. I GUESS WE ARE ALWAYS TOO BUSY TALKING SNAKES.

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"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance- that principle is contempt prior to investigation." Herbert Spencer

Just curious...glad to see another Kansan with a liking for boas..

Later
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Randall L Turner Jr.
www.aircapitalconstrictors.com

You never experience life until you have kids..then you realize what you should have done rather then what you did do

aaah,this excuses waitin some days for answerin e-mails.

greets,chris