Since the list of reasons I haven’t been out to shoot for my blog is as long as the average NBA players arm I won’t bore you with them. I will say that I have still been visiting the pond on a regular basis. Just not with a camera.

This time of year the eagles seem to stick pretty close together. During today’s visit the distinctly larger female flew in directly over my head but did not stop. She is much less tolerant of people and since I was out in the open she saw me quite easily and flew an unwavering path across the pond and over the trees on the far bank.

As always, the male is less disturbed by my presence.

He flew out over the pond on almost the same course as his partner and after shooting me quick glance he took up a perch in a tall Poplar tree opposite my spot.

He stayed there for a couple of minutes, half watching the pond, half looking off in the direction that the female had disappeared before again taking flight.

He lifted off and circled the perimeter of the pond not even looking down at me as he passed over my head. This time when he reached the far side of the pond he landed in one of the trees that overhangs the inlet stream. After losing interest in the stream he repeated his “once around the pond” flight path then disappeared in the direction that female had ten minutes earlier.

In addition to the eagles there were lots of other birds around. A Kingfisher buzzed the pond a couple of times and there were several groups of small perching birds flittering from cedar tree to cedar tree.

Over course the ponds open water also draws in the ducks. Today’s guests included Mallards, Mergansers, Common Golden Eyes and I even spotted one Wood Duck when he took to the air.

All in all it wasn't to bad considering I only had twenty minutes to shoot.

Well now that I have finally braved the snow and ice I have no excuse not to get out more often and I promise I will. (I'll get bet better pictures too.)

Have a great New Year! Get out and enjoy Mother Nature’s blanket of white.

Kevin