As I turned onto Bingham Hill road I encountered a flock of 15 turkeys swaggering and fanning their tail feathers. I stopped, watched and listened to them. They are quite amusing. Took a dozen images but had too short of a lens for an image I would like to have had. A quarter mile down the road I came across a dozen mule deer grazing in the open field. Again I stopped to watch and listen. From there I drove to Watson Lake to sit at a favorite spot overlooking the lake. I soon heard the call of an eagle then watched it land on the ice with a fish in its talons. With binoculars I watched as the bird devoured the whole thing, leaving nothing. After the eagle flew away I sat in the quiet of the frozen lake. Behind me I could hear the sound of the Poudre River as it continued its journey eastward. So an afternoon drive became a series of spiritual experiences with nature. So glad I got out.
10 Comments
Earl
It sounds like a beautiful afternoon outing, Monte, which would also be recharging for me. Having survived the holiday seasons, those turkeys feel pretty brave now, don’t they? ~grin~
Have a wonderful day!
Monte Stevens
I would imagine the turkeys did feel some relief. It was a good day for me!
Paul
I do love some turkey … 😉 We don’t see many eagles around Charlotte, but, I did see one one day. I was in a local nature preserve and noticed a large bird fly by and land in a tree. I thought that it was a hawk, as they are plentiful around here. It turned out to be an eagle, the first one that I’d seen in the wild. I felt very fortunate. I told my walking buddy about it. He thought that I must have been mistaken because he’d never seen one! Lol – Some weeks later, he was in the same park, saw one, and the next morning he apologized for his doubt!
Monte Stevens
One thing we are blessed with is eagle nest in many areas. The county makes sure they are protected so people do not disturb them. I drove out into Weld County one year where their were 20-30 eagles for several days. The lake had a large grove of trees along the lake’s bank where the eagles would gather. There was an area of open water providing a place for them to fish and habitat for geese and ducks, which they will eat also.
Faye White
How amazing to see all that wildlife in the wild; a good omen I think. 🙂
Monte Stevens
Yes, it was a good omen and filled my soul, my friend.
Tom Dills
That sounds like a perfect way to spend an afternoon and evening. Great that you came across some critters to share it with!
Monte Stevens
Yes, the experiences were just what I needed.
Mark
Stunning image of Watson Lake, Monte! Sounds like you had a wonderful afternoon of conversation with nature!
Monte Stevens
Yes, I did have a good afternoon. And, I also like the lake image. The turkeys, well they were just being turkeys!