Their Turf, Their Rules
When I received the first email from Bill, I was, I'll admit, a bit hesitant. My first thought was Bill who? Do I know this man? Who is Bill? Do I want to open this? But I did.
After congratulating me on the beautiful pic I submitted to the The Last Green Valley's "Photo of the Week" contest, he immediately began asking about the location of my eagles nest, telling me he monitors the nests throughout the Valley, reporting his findings to DEEP. Well, quite honestly, he could have been "Joe Schmo" for all I know, trying to get info, so I was reticent.
Now you all know that the nest I monitor is NOT on my property, and, out of respect for the property owner, let alone the eagles, I did not want to divulge the precise location. So, in a professional manner, I responded, saying that I'd been watching the nest for a few years, reporting all my findings directly to Kate at DEEP. Case closed. I figured if he wanted additional info, he could contact her. I thought I was done.
However, in a subsequent email, he told me that Kate had mentioned this nest to him a while back and that they believed the eagles that have been sighted feeding along the river and at the dam were, in fact, "your eagles."
Then, he told me about an eagle survey...a study group that was going to be in the area over the weekend and they were looking for volunteers.
Count me in, I responded.
Scrambling around the night before, digging out my warm clothes, the binoculars, and camera, I wondered if I would even sleep.
Honing in on all my eagle skills, dressed in hubby's duofold long johns that no longer fit him, polartec layers and wind-proof, outerwear, I hit the road long before the sun rose.
I wanted this and was ready.
Yes, I wanted this...even though it was a whopping -4 degrees when I got to the river! The glow just above the horizon told me the tingling in my toes would stop as soon as I saw what I came for.
A national, regional and state survey conducted once a year, it's purpose is to gather the numbers, locations and findings. It was worth each and every step I took during the four hour trek.
The group that I was part of saw:
One mature adult along the river heading NE (probably one of mine they said)
One immature near at the dam (probably also one of mine)
One young adult (est 3 yrs based on coloring) at the state park about fifteen miles away, following the river about ten feet above the water.
By the time we all gathered for breakfast, it was 11:30 am and temps were now 15. The final head count will be published in a few weeks.
Nature Notes
Sunday Stills
NZ-Photographing New Zealand
Did I tell you that in December, an eagle was found shot (DEEP-$5,000 Reward) along the Connecticut River?
After congratulating me on the beautiful pic I submitted to the The Last Green Valley's "Photo of the Week" contest, he immediately began asking about the location of my eagles nest, telling me he monitors the nests throughout the Valley, reporting his findings to DEEP. Well, quite honestly, he could have been "Joe Schmo" for all I know, trying to get info, so I was reticent.
Now you all know that the nest I monitor is NOT on my property, and, out of respect for the property owner, let alone the eagles, I did not want to divulge the precise location. So, in a professional manner, I responded, saying that I'd been watching the nest for a few years, reporting all my findings directly to Kate at DEEP. Case closed. I figured if he wanted additional info, he could contact her. I thought I was done.
However, in a subsequent email, he told me that Kate had mentioned this nest to him a while back and that they believed the eagles that have been sighted feeding along the river and at the dam were, in fact, "your eagles."
Then, he told me about an eagle survey...a study group that was going to be in the area over the weekend and they were looking for volunteers.
Scrambling around the night before, digging out my warm clothes, the binoculars, and camera, I wondered if I would even sleep.
Honing in on all my eagle skills, dressed in hubby's duofold long johns that no longer fit him, polartec layers and wind-proof, outerwear, I hit the road long before the sun rose.
I wanted this and was ready.
Yes, I wanted this...even though it was a whopping -4 degrees when I got to the river! The glow just above the horizon told me the tingling in my toes would stop as soon as I saw what I came for.
 |
| Frozen |
A national, regional and state survey conducted once a year, it's purpose is to gather the numbers, locations and findings. It was worth each and every step I took during the four hour trek.
The group that I was part of saw:
One mature adult along the river heading NE (probably one of mine they said)
One immature near at the dam (probably also one of mine)
One young adult (est 3 yrs based on coloring) at the state park about fifteen miles away, following the river about ten feet above the water.
By the time we all gathered for breakfast, it was 11:30 am and temps were now 15. The final head count will be published in a few weeks.
Sharing another AWESOME adventure with you and those at
Nature Notes
Sunday Stills
NZ-Photographing New Zealand
Did I tell you that in December, an eagle was found shot (DEEP-$5,000 Reward) along the Connecticut River?
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