Site Navigation

Ron · #1 02-07-2004, 11:56 AM

They're back. Saw 4 different eagles last weekend on the Assonet River, 3 mature and 1 juvenile. There was a very large mature eagle in a tree just south of the Berkley Bridge this morning. I'll bet most people drove by and never even noticed this magnificant bird. We have been watching them on the Assonet River since the first week of Jan. I was late for work yesterday as I sat and watched one on the ice behind the house eating a dead animal. I get excited every time I see them.

I have cabin fever bad and can't wait until Spring. Tying flies, cleaning reels and tackle boxes, repacking trailer wheel bearings, ordering supplies from Cabela's, organizing last year's pictures, and working on finding someone to build my dock to pass the time.

Pray for Spring.

Ron

mansfieldsign · #2 02-07-2004, 03:15 PM

It's hard not to stop and watch an eagle. I hope you've got a few pictures.

By the way, Ron, If you're still looking for things to do? Come on over, I'm making as list of chores for ya.

It'll keep ya honest 'till spring arrives.
My wife will be forever grateful.

artb · #3 02-07-2004, 08:35 PM

This is not about an eagle, but some accipiters. I have about 4 acres of pine field, and a large backyard, and I feed the birds. I do have a problem with, either the Cooper's Hawk, or the Sharp-Shinned Hawk. There is 3 or 4 of them around, and are very brazen, they come right up on my back-deck after the birds. I have been trying to take pictures, I have some but not of good quality because of shooting through the window. Today I just looked out the window in time to see one of them nail a pigeon about 10 feet from the window. It flew out to some of the trees out back, I tried stalking it, only scaring 2 others away. I found one sitting in a tree further out back, I did get a picture, but in the distant. I tried moving closer it then flew off right over my head back toward, and landed on the fence near the house. It watched me then it ran on the ground in a thick grove of trees, and reappeared with the pigeon it had just killed, and then it flew off for good. I guess I must have disturbed it, and it dropped the pigeon and then waited for the right oportunity to go back and retrive the pigeon. Quite a smart bird.

Bob Parsons · #4 02-08-2004, 07:12 AM

That is such a great report. I watch hawks, ospreys and the like whenever I can. It is always such an awesome site to see them make a strike. Too bad you didn't collect the pigeon and return it to you feeding area. You could have set up good photo opp. with out having to chase the birds.

ppatricelli · #5 02-08-2004, 09:59 AM

Riptide asked several months back whether I had any eagle pictures. These aren't what I would like to have, but the best I have done without really trying.

First picture: This Stellar Jay relly wanted to give Mr. Big a bad time, but couldn't get up the guts to do more than this.

2nd picture: Rather nice lookout overlookig Haystack Rock near Cannon Beach, OR. The rock alwasys has lots of gulls and seabirds resting/nesting on it.

Ron · #6 02-08-2004, 01:18 PM

Peter, your pictures are great. I haven't been so lucky. I don't have much for photography equipment and the birds I'm watching aren't real close except when they are flying. I'm looking to buy a spotting scope so at least I can view them in more detail. Can you take pictures through a spotting scope? I might try even though they probably won't be very good quality.

The eagles are sure visible today. Three mature birds today on the Assonet River, sitting and feeding on the river. I also took a ride to Assawamset Resevoir in Lakeville and we saw 1 mature and 1 juvenile in just a few minutes.

Pray for Spring.

Ron

ppatricelli · #7 02-08-2004, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron

Can you take pictures through a spotting scope? I might try even though they probably won't be very good quality.
Ron

Ron,
Yes, as was posted several weeks back, people can now see Bald eagles routinely, even multiple times a day in much of the country, a real success story for conservation(ists) and the endangered Endangered Species Act.
One can, with the right spotting scope AND an attachment AND the right camera, take pictures through the spotting scope. BUT, the optical specs for a spotting scope are p### poor compared to the specs for a telephoto lens for photography, the f-stop equivalent will be rather high meaning that one will have to use high speed (poor resolution) film, adding to the woes, and the likelihood is that the camera you have in hand ISN"T the "right" camera. Not trying to rain on your parade but just a warning, a simple thought and wish can end up costing a whole lot of dough and give lousy results, when just about the same amount on equipment designed to do that job can give excellent results. There are a some excellent, second tier telephoto manufacturers (like SIGMA and TAMRON) for half what the Canon and Nikon lenses would cost you, without any appreciable difference in resolution.
Peter Patricelli

Ron · #8 02-08-2004, 07:53 PM

Peter, thanks for your input. Kind of what I expected. I want to buy a spotting scope to watch the eagles and other birds on the river. I also need a spotting scope for use at the range when I'm shooting my muzzleloders, so I should get a fair amount of use out of it.

Saw one more juvenile bird just before dusk. The number of eagles this year is just amazing.

Thanks again.

Ron

artb · #9 02-10-2004, 05:31 AM

I am trying to post a picture. It is a picture taken thru a window. The picture quality is not very good, but it gives an idea how brazen these hawks are. I put one of the bird feeders on the deck right on the corner where the birds are somewhat protected from the hawks, they even jump right into the bushes trying to flush out the small birds. It appears the only thing I can do is to chase them away when I see them.

ppatricelli · #10 02-10-2004, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by artb

It appears the only thing I can do is to chase them away when I see them.

That's either a Cooper's or a Sharp-shinned, the Cooper's is larger but more rare, the Sharp-shinned smaller and more common. They're just trying to make a living. Probably 90% of what they take this time of year is going to be nuisance birds such as Starlings, English sparrows, or Black/Cowbirds. God knows we need a lot more of these birds. If you have feeder, you're just chumming in the bait!

Peter Patricelli

hightechtoo · #11 02-12-2004, 10:15 AM

The best place I've seen to get up close and personal with eagles is at the Rocks Village Bridge between Haverhill and Amesbury (The Merrimack)

Two Eagles...

bunker · #12 02-12-2004, 04:26 PM

I was going toward Methuen along 110 and spotted two in a tree Just after the Haverhill/Methuen line. Pretty amazing site.

Luv2Fish · #13 02-12-2004, 10:02 PM

Driving thorugh down Pawtucket, RI, yes Pawtucket last week and what did I see directly over I-95? Yep a very large Bald Eagle, largest out of the 4-5 I've ever seen. just soaring over the interstate. Couldn't believe my eyes at first but sure enough there it was in all it's glory- BEAUTIFUL site really having made my day.