March 9
Yesterday on my drive home from Drayton Valley, I noticed a Bald Eagle on a tree by the side of the road. As I slowed down to try to get a photograph, it flew away. I followed its path and saw it landed on a pile of recently cleared brush. When I looked through my binoculars, I noticed a second Bald Eagle. I looked around some more and started counting; eleven eagles! I decided to change my perspective and headed down a side road. There, I could set up my scope and look more closely at the eagles. I found one that looked different and when I got home, I confirmed it was a Golden Eagle. While I was scoping, the rancher came out to investigate. Once he realized I was taking photos, he began to tell me stories about the eagles and his experiences on the ranch. He shared that the 11 eagles had been around his house all winter and that they gather around 8:30 am at his house. These were likely the ones Connor and I had spotted by Keephills in January near a deer carcass.
So I returned this morning, hoping to find the Golden Eagle within photographing distance. I stopped at my first observation point and counted about 9 eagles. I shifted to a second point, set up my scope and counted some more. I moved to a third point and I could see 19 eagles through my scope all from that point. A couple of more shifts and a few more. I estimate that there were between 25 and 30 eagles at the property. Unfortunately none of them were close enough to photograph but it was still an impressive sight. Wilf, the rancher came out and I shared my discovery of the Golden Eagle and the high count with him. We looked around and could see 18 eagles.
As I headed home , I came across another Bald Eagle next to a deer carcass. This one was closer. I took some shots even though I have way too many eagle shots. I was surprised when I got home and opened up my files that I really like this image. The out of focus Raven adds all sorts of interest to the image and can suggest several different stories.
Stay well !
