Eagle's Nest Part 1a, Sandhill Cranes, Whoopers as Non-essential, Francois Portmann's Jamaica Bay Wildfowl, Franklin Red-tail Update

Somehow or other these two eagle photographs were left off in the sequence.

They belong at 5:09:10pm-

and 5:10:01pm

Now back to our regularly scheduled programming. I'm walking down the lane toward the eagle's nest when the Sandhill Crane pair who perennially nest in the marsh take umbrage to my presence.

The Sandhill Cranes come at me out of the sun.

5:55:16pm They are such fine birds. Determined birds. Birds of angles but also supreme grace. (Note how white they look in this light.)


4:55:19pm They observe me and...

4:55:21pm ...then both trumpet mightily and continue to do so.


4:55:31 Off you go to Part 1b if you've not been there already.

SPEAKING OF SANDHILL CRANES AND OTHER WATERFOWL, AN EMAIL FROM FRANCOIS PORTMANN WITH GORGEOUS SHOTS OF JAMAICA BAY in migration AND A PETITION TO RECONSIDER THE HUNTING OF SANDHILL CRANES IN THE EASTERN FLYWAY....THE WHOOPERS THERE ARE CONSIDERED NONESSENTIAL. WHAT????

SIGN THE PETITION!!!!

Hey Donna,
You've got some action going over there in cheezland!
If you're interested, here is some links re: Sandhill Crane hunting:
http://10000birds.com/tennessee-crane-hunt-tabled-for-2-years.htm
And this one about 4 Whoopings shot:
http://10000birds.com/the-nonessential-whooping-crane.htm

Here, migrations are going full speed with loads of snow geese and ducks,
good times at JBay:
http://www.fotoportmann.com/birdblog/2011/03/17/geese-ducks-migrations-jbay-
nyc/

Greetings,
francois

(Check out the photo of the cranes at 5:55:16pm above. Those Sandhills look almost white, much like Whoopers look in various lights. Hmmm. D.B.)

And from Robin of Illinois, the third egg appears for the Franklin Pair, and a wonderful essay on why the formel might not be all that hot to be sitting around on the nest yet, by hawk expert John Blakeman!

http://sunnydixie.blogspot.com/

Donegal Browne