On the river.....

With one day to go before this years Eagle Festival, we were offered the chance to get out on the river this morning....

thank you to our neighbours and their jet boat.   As you can see, water levels remain high allowing for our boat launch to maybe not be a 'launch' but definitely a 'pick up passengers' spot.

As we got out to the Harrison River...

it became apparent that there are Bald Eagles out there.  Maybe not as many as other years, but where ever there was any shore or something stuck and inch or so above the water, there was a bird on it.....

like this fellow....

and this pair, a juvenile behind, feeding on a salmon.  There was a bit of a wind blowing, hence the 'hair do'

the one remaining old 'eagle tree' sported quite a few...

here is a closer look.

more here at the log jam....

here we are on the river, the eagle tree being down there in the middle of the picture.

many more birds up in the conifer trees along the shoreline.

back to feeding....you can see Morris Valley Road there in the background, which should give an idea of location...

particularly like this shot....

and this one.  See what I mean about the birds being perched where ever they could find any sort of perch?

this isn't a great shot but that is highway 7's bridge over the Harrison River in the background, again to give an idea of location.  The activity is out there....it is just right now you need a boat to see it....

One more eagle shot....

should mention that the flock of Goldeneyes that showed up yesterday was still out there, as were a number of Common Merganser.  We only saw one Heron and just 3 swans tucked up in a corner, probably the 3 that flew in late yesterday afternoon....

now I just have to mention....this afternoon I heard a familiar, but not expected this time of the year sound...

an American Robin!  Have been watching for, and expecting their 'cousin's' the Varied Thrush to show up anytime but haven't seen one of them yet.  Robins are never far away in winter but this fellow was a bit of a surprise.

So....if you are coming out for Eagle Festival, dress warm and be prepared for rain.  Hopefully it won't be as bad as forecast.