A Seasonal Change, From Hummingbirds And Butterflies To A Bald Eagle

Sometimes I wonder why we stay here in upstate New York.  The change from Autumn to Winter can be hard sometimes.  The flowers that we love are finished.  The hummingbirds and butterflies have flown South. The sky is gray and overcast.  Rain and chilly weather has dampened our enthusiasm.  Worst of all Ed is gimped up and is supposed to rest his left leg for several days.  Instead of walking down to the mailbox with the mail, he drove the car.  Once out of the house we decided to take a short drive up the road.  We were not quite to the neighbor's farm when I saw a Bald Eagle flying low alongside us over a field  between us and the ridge.  I don't know how fast Ed was going, but for a short while the eagle stayed even with us.  It was amazing to see an flying eagle from the side like that.  Of course Ed had to watch the road and the eagle was flying in a straight line.  I lost sight of the bird so we continued to the place where Ed had intended to turn around to head for home.

I was thrilled to have seen the Eagle, but disappointed that Ed had missed it.   Just after we turned around  the car was pointed toward the river.   It was then that the eagle flew over the road so that we could both see it.  For some unknown reason the eagle flew in several low circles over a field that sloped downhill between us and the river.   Usually when we see an eagle he is soaring, but this bird was so low he was flapping his wings.   Once it looked like something on the ground had caught its eye.  We expected to see the bird drop to the ground to feed on carrion but that did not happen. How rare it was to be able to look down from above and watch a magnificent full grown bald eagle in flight!  After several more low circles, the eagle flew to land in a tree near a small stream and the river.

Since the eagle seemed ready to hold its perch, we returned home.  Some time later we returned with camera in hand but the only birds seen were crows.  Watching this majestic bird fly so close to the ground for a rather lengthy period of time made this sighting something special to remember.  It also reminded me how often we see something wonderful and unexpected here.  This Winter it looks like we have Bald Eagles for neighbors. WOW!