THE EAGLE, THE EAGLE!!

 So walking one morning armed only with my music, my feet and my phone, I spot a bird WAAAAAAY up in the double pine tree (I clearly need some education on tree types).  I'll start by saying my vision "ain't what it used to be."   I have been issued some prescription glasses.  I ONLY wear them when I drive but CLEARLY, they would help at other times!  Glasses make me sweat.  Really.  So I'd rather not see as much as I could just so I don't sweat.  

SO -  again -  I was talking my regular AM walk and I spot this bird WAAAAY up in the double pine tree -  at the tippy top.  Ah. It's an osprey. Wait. NO.  IT COULDN'T BE -  it's an EAGLE????   Nah. Opsrey. 

I took a few snaps with my phone.  Zoom in.  HOLY CRAP -  IT IS AN EAGLE!!  I admire it for a few minutes and I realize he's not going anywhere.  I hoof on home, up the stairs, grab my camera and start back... what are the chances he'll still be there???

HE WAS THERE!  

Phone pic.  Taken then zoomed and you can't hide that bald head and the curved beak! 

Ah yes.  So regal! 

Below are the camera photos

For someone who STILL remembers seeing her first eagle more than 20 years ago
THIS WAS EXCITING!

It was funny -  I did share the photo with a friend -  who admires my "birdiness" We talk about birds A LOT.  She showed the pic (from the FIRST DAY OF MY ARRIVAL) to her husband and he said..."She couldn't have seen that eagle on HER FIRST DAY... it MUST be an old pic"  hahahaha
She said... She WOULDN'T do that. 
It's new.  It's real.  I was excited!

But the fun didn't stop there.  A couple weeks later I was (again) on the lanai and I saw the eagle fly by... he took a hard left and landed in THE TREE 20 FEET FROM MY CONDO!

The pictures are NOT GREAT.  I literally hung out my window up to my waist trying to shoot the camera up to the top of the tree.  But, he's THERE.  AGAIN.  

I don't think I will NEVER NOT be excited by seeing this bird! 

This Blog is Now Going to the Birds!

 I have spent so much time searching, stalking, following and just watching birds -  not to mention taking copious amounts of photographs -  that SIT IN MY CAMERA and/or PHONE.

Except for the (now) rare FB post of an exceptionally beautiful bird (but aren't they all???   Well... maybe not Steve) they just sit.  So this Nanook Blog will be a new home for SOME of the thousands of bird/nature photos -  until I get bored in a few days.

Let me start by saying I've been planning on doing this FOR. EVER.  hahahahah  And now that I've been back in Florida for a month and a day, I think it's TIME.

So here are a few -  and I probably have to post on multiple posts/days/whatever.

This is my favorite.  His original name has been forgotten -  and I'm pretty sure he's the same guy.  It had been a dismal couple of weeks and for about 2 hours, the sun was TRYING to come out.  It finally broke through the clouds and I caught STANLEY (because EVERYONE wants a Stanley, right?) just absorbing the little bit of sun that was available.

If you REALLY zoom in, he looks a little drunk.  He's a true delight to see! 

I'm not adept at birds in motion -  but this was acceptable -  but sad.  Till next time, Stanley!

And ONE MORE on this post -

I think I'll choose ... hmmmm he doesn't have a name but he DOES have a story.

We were sitting on the lanai (sunporch, porch, screen room, balcony -  whatever word you like) and Ken says "That's a different bird"... He's not a fanatic like me, but he does comment to bring my attention because he knows how much I love them.

I looked -  it was one of hundreds of skinny legged, long necked white birds around our condo.

But this one WAS different.  GREEN legs, blue-ish uncurved beak...   IT'S A JUVENILE LITTLE BLUE HERON!  I know from our multiple Eco-tour boat rides with Steph and Eddie that Little Blue Heron Juveniles are WHITE.  PURE WHITE with green legs -  and here was our new little guy walking on the edge of the water "fishing" for dinner! 

Fast forward a week and a half -  I'm sitting on a bench after my PM "Bird Walk" and I see a Green Heron -  and then I notice a white bird just behind him... was it???  could it be???   The Juvenile Little Blue Heron!!  AND he's starting to TURN BLUE!!  In the pic below, you can see some blue on the top of his head and on his body. 

I hope I get to see him again.  He needs a name. 
NEXT TIME, I promise.