Wakarusa Wetlands and Clinton Lake

Posted on March 13, 2012 by admin

This warm weather is incredible–and a bit scary. Who knows what is in store for us this spring. There is a lot of activity at both the Wakarusa Wetlands and Clinton Lake. Eastern Phoebes and tree swallows are here, a bit early. I looked everywhere for ospreys today, but no luck. I did see quite a few turtles and heard many frogs. Gulls were coming over in abundance and the geese are guarding potential nesting sites.

Click on pictures to enlarge.

The sunrises at the Wakarusa Wetlands have been spectacular.

Incubating time again

Posted on February 12, 2012 by admin

I arrived just in time to see the parents make the incubating switch. I can never tell which one is which unless they are sitting right next to each other (female bald eagles are generally bigger). I think mom arrived to relieve dad and he is the one sitting on the branch. I look forward to seeing how many eaglets they have this year. Click on picture to enlarge.

New digs

Posted on December 14, 2011 by admin

The huge and very old nearby eagles’ nest is now being used by Canada geese (smart geese!). The drought we have been in is sadly very apparent when looking at the area around this nest that used to be completely covered with water. For me, this nest is like a kind of magical symbol of the return of bald eagles. Click on pictures to enlarge.

Here is what it looked like when we first started visiting. Click on picture to enlarge.

The eagle couple built a new nest not far from the old one. I wonder if they saw this dry season coming and decided they had better move to a place less accessible to those who do not swim. They may have also finally tired of all the noise and trash brought by those hunting and fishing in the area. Every time I went to watch, I found tons of trash. I found shell casings, fishing line, empty food containers, a couple of busted up old televisions, and of course, beer cans. Anyway, the new nest is super cool, and super high. I’m definitely not going to tell anyone where it is. 🙂

It’s beginning to look a lot like winter

Posted on December 14, 2011 by admin

While I haven’t been out as much as I would like, I love seeing the arrival of our wintering friends. Bald eagles from the north are beginning to arrive and the harriers seem to be swooping low over fields everywhere I look. I saw my first group of common goldeneyes last week (there is definitely nothing common about them; they are beautiful). Young deer are looking much more grownup than a few months ago. Click on pictures to enlarge.

Lawrence Eagles

Posted on May 19, 2011 by admin

Interesting nest development

Posted on May 2, 2011 by admin

I went out to visit the huge eagles’ nest we have been watching for the past few years and discovered it occupied by Canada geese. I’m not sure what happened to the eagles, but if any birders in the area know, please clue me in. I can only see one side of the nest from where I watch, so it could be that there are structural issues I cannot see from where I am. It certainly was surprising to see the geese there. It’s sort of fitting considering how often in the past we would see the eagles come off the nest to harass the geese swimming nearby. 🙂 I do hope the eagles are okay. My understanding is this is one of the oldest, most productive nests in Kansas. Click on pictures to enlarge.

Nest checks

Posted on April 14, 2011 by admin

Eaglets and owlets. Oh my. Click on pictures to enlarge.

(May 1 update): It appears that the owlets have fledged. I wish them the best out there!

Eaglets

Posted on April 11, 2011 by admin

One more video for today! 🙂 It looks like there may be two eaglets up there. It will be easier to tell once they get big enough that we can see them poking out of the nest bowl.

We now have a YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/WildLovePhoto?feature=mhum

A little aerial play

Posted on February 21, 2011 by admin

Last week, when the snow started melting and the sun came out, it seemed everyone was whooping it up. I took a drive to the river to see what the eagles were up to and found several having a good time riding the thermals and doing some air combat play. There were six at one time, but they flew so high, I could only get semi-clear pictures of a few. It certainly was fun to watch. Click on pictures to enlarge.

Sunrise at the nest