Oh, Ethel....be careful!

Headed into the city yesterday and spotted one of the eagles soaring above the lake just north of the fountain west of the western high rise. Then, all of a sudden, up from the surface of the water, flew Ethel.....DIRECTLY in front of our windshield. She couldn't have been more than 6 feet above the bridge deck. And, as many of you know, it was at exactly that spot on the bridge on a beautiful August morning two years ago that Eddie (Ethel's mate prior to Ernest) flew a bit too low and collided with the windshield of a Metro Bus. A fatal error. Hopefully Ethel has a better sense of distance and clearance than Eddie did. All ended well, and it was thrilling to see both eagles, especially having Ethel so close we could see the small fish in her talons. Looking at the calendar.....it is that time of year. Tomorrow begins the month of March, and that has been when Ethel has mated. So if she soon disappears for several weeks we will assume she is sitting on the nest. The cycle begins anew.

Eagles, and a Sharp Shinned Hawk

Heading toward the 520 Bridge earlier this week I saw a pair of eagles soaring above the Overlake Golf Course, probably looking for some tasty varmint for an afternoon snack. While they could be Ethel & Ernest, I suspect they were more likely the resident Hunts Point eagle pair. Later, coming back home over the bridge I saw one of our eagles on the light standard. As I've said, it is difficult to tell which one it is when they are not together. Comparing them side by side Ethel is obviously larger. I tend to look for Ernest's ruffled feathers....but this eagle was facing the oncoming traffic and I didn't get a glimpse of its backside. We've had a sharp shinned hawk visiting our backyard several times recently. The hawk sits right on our stone wall outside the kitchen window, and is an impressive sight. It seems to be looking for an inattentive squirrel, or in desperation, a fat junco would probably make a decent snack. Our squirrels are so incredibly fat from all the sunflower seeds dropped by the birds at the feeders that they simply must be a bit slower than usual. Haven't actually witnessed the hawk catch any prey, but that bird isn't skinny, either. So it is eating enough....maybe I'll see it in action one of these times. Our winter has been unusually mild. Very little snow, and none in the forecast. The end of 2012 was very soggy, but so far 2013 has been extremely dry. At least here in what is obviously a region affected by the rain shadow cast by the Olympics. Farther north, and only a few miles north at that, they've been soaked. But we are actually droughty here on the east side of Lake Washington. This area is famous for its mini-climates.

Sweet Valentines ~ Ethel & Ernest

Regular weekday trip across the 520 Bridge yesterday afternoon, and there on the 'as usual' 2nd lamppost from the Western high rise, south side of the bridge, were Ethel and Ernest. Interestingly enough, Ethel was facing the oncoming traffic and gazing northward, Ernest with his back to the traffic, searching the waters to the south. It is always nice to see them together. Monogamy of the feathered sort, or something. Soon it will be March, and mating season once again. After raising two eaglets last spring and summer, wonder what nature has in store for the happy couple this time around. Have heard no follow-up on the two eaglets that fledged in early August and late August. There is probably not enough territory for the youngsters to remain in the area of their original nest. The vast majority of the eagle population is around the Skagit River, about 50 or 60 miles north of Lake Washington....as the eagle flies. We hope they are well and learning the fine art of hunting. They had good role models in their mum & dad.

Ethel&Ernest and the Albino Crow

Not a lot going on with our eagle friends this rain soaked winter. But that does not mean that they are not around. I've spotted one of them at a time upon the 520 light standards, and last week both of them were up there together on the same post. They don't do that very often. It appears that they tend to hunt independently for the most part, but one morning last week there they both were. Ernest appeared to be helping Ethel with some feather issues as we passed by. Another morning one of the eagles was just arriving at the sentry post atop the favored light pole, but when they are flying like that I have a hard time telling which one it is. When one sits alone atop the standard, however, it is usually possible to tell Ethel from Ernest by the size. He is considerably smaller than she is.......... I've also been entranced by the albino crow, who I first noticed several months ago with a small murder of crows upon the telephone wires on 100th Avenue NE. Ever since then I watch for him (or her) and have seen the same white crow several times since then, most recently this morning. Interestingly enough, this was the first time I've seen the albino crow with just one other crow. And I wonder if perhaps they are a mated pair? How nice, if they are, that crows do not appear to harass another crow for 'looking different'. Surely they notice that this one is the 'wrong color'....? From a bit of reading I've learned that albino animals are often sterile, though not always. It makes one wonder what the offspring look like from such a pairing should the albino mate be fertile. Maybe come springtime, if I see some more albinos on the telephone wires I will have my answer about the offspring of such a mating.