I've always enjoyed Marguerite's Wednesday Wings. She's so knowledgeable about birds and takes wonderful photos of the birds that visit her feeder and nest in her birdhouses. I've always been a little jealous at the variety of birds that show up at her house. However, I'm pleased as punch to report that I have my own Wednesday Wings today! Yesterday hubby and I were lounging around the house watching a movie after dinner. All of a sudden the crows started making a horrible racket. I went outside to see what was going on and found this majestic guy (or gal - it's hard to tell the males and females apart) hanging around a tree in our backyard:
He hung out for about an hour and and half and then went on his merry way. The crows continued to dive bomb him and occasionally he would snap at them if they got too close. The crows were really flirting with danger because an eagle will grab another bird right out of the air if they so choose. This may be one of the nesting pair from across the street, or one of their offspring looking for a place to nest (they had three babies this year). I have mixed feelings about wanting him to make a home in our yard. It's a wonderful opportunity to observe bald eagles first hand, but then you become a nature preserve and there are a lot of restrictions on what you can and can't do with your property.
These pictures were taken with our new Nikon CoolPix P500. We had bought a Nikon D60 a couple of years ago, but it has become obvious it's just too much camera for us. I had visions of buying new lenses for it and really getting into photography, but that's just not going to happen. Plus it didn't do video and only had a 3x optical zoom with the lens we had. The CoolPix has an outstanding 36x optical zoom, is smaller and more lightweight and does everything that we'll ever probably want to do with a camera. I'm already getting some great other Wednesday Wings shots:
That's about the extent of the excitement chez Missour Star this week. I currently have three active projects which involve:
(1) a grey stockinette sleeve
(2) grey stockinette socks
(3) a navy blue stockinette sweater.
Add in grey, overscast skies and it's really a snooze fest. I guess I do have the Advent Scarf, but it's just not doing it for me right now. I have a terrible urge to cast on something new, but nothing's calling to me. I flirted with the idea of starting the Wedding Ring Shawl, but I don't have the yarn for it. We just spent a boatload of money on the new camera and new window treatments for the living room, so I can't justify a major yarn outlay right now. What to do? This weekend we have company, but maybe next week I'll sit down with Ravelry and do some exploring. Any suggestions would be welcome!
What great eagle photos! We had a horned owl once but never an eagle. How fun! Glad to see someone else working on more than one thing at a time. LOL
Posted by: Judy | May 25, 2011 at 08:11 PM
Whoa- what a thrill to have a bald eagle in your yard! Especially appropriate for Memorial Day.
Posted by: Kristen | May 26, 2011 at 07:08 AM
Totally awesome pictures. The first picture looks like it's right off a patriotic poster. Wow.
You just gave me the urge for a new camera. Mine is only 12X zoom and three years old now - ancient for a digital.
Posted by: Marguerite | May 26, 2011 at 11:22 AM
Those pictures are terrific. I've enjoyed the "eagle cam" on YouTube (I think), and the NY Times has a cam of red-tailed hawks nesting on the ledge of a window at NYU. Since I have my own nearly nesting pair (luckily no budgie eggs as yet), I'm ok with looking through others' cameras.
Next to knitting from stash, socks and shawls are always the most economical projects for me. I think WEBS has a very nice merino lace on sale, and Knit Picks can always come to the rescue for affordable yarn.
Posted by: Marjorie | May 26, 2011 at 01:00 PM
Cool! An eagle! I'm always looking for any like of life in my yard. I'm happy if a flower is blooming.
There's nothing like a great camera too, so you can share what you see. :)
Posted by: Miyamojo | May 27, 2011 at 06:40 PM
Great pictures!
Whatever you cast on, I think it should be red. Or bright purple. You need some color!
Posted by: gayle | May 30, 2011 at 06:11 AM
Great eagle photo, Dorothy. We saw on the other day on the way to UW but not nearly as close as yours. That yarnshop was right in Birch Bay..Beach Basket Yarn and Gifts. I thought you live on Whidbey? PS Can't find your email addie?
Posted by: Judy | June 07, 2011 at 07:46 AM
Wow Dorothy - I don't know how to post comments on Etsy, but your cosmetic/knitting purses are wonderful. I gave Amanda hers at a "kitchen" shower in addition to my "kitcheny" gift. I gave Rikki the pink and black zebra stripe - and I have the red set that I may keep for myself - or have in reserve for someone special. I may share with Mother. Thank you!
Posted by: Margaret Wagner | June 09, 2011 at 07:27 AM