Kip’s Comments - December 11, 2022

Who Can Say They Have Done This (and more)

Late yesterday there were additional reports of an ill or injured trumpeter swan on a local lake (a continuation of yesterday’s activities). This morning a group of us put an air boat on the lake to attempt to rescue the swan. A wildlife rehabber was present and ready to begin caring for the swan. But, when the air boat started up every bird in the area took flight - including any possible ill or injured swan. So, we took the air boat out to the open water to turn around, returned to the dock, and trailered the boat. How many folks can say they have done what we did today…in the winter? And certainly not on this lake!

Air Boat Screen Shot - Image DSC_1.1.1

For those wondering what it looks like to run an air boat on ice - ice that does not hold the boat - check out this video I put together. “An Unneeded Trumpeter Swan Rescue”

Other Stuff From Today

Today I saw a number of bald eagles of various ages. The eagle featured below was behaving itself from the top of a conifer tree. This bird allowed several photos to be taken.

Bald Eagle on Top of Conifer - Image 784686

This second bald eagle did something I have not watched before. From its vantage point in this tree the eagle concentrated its gaze to the west. As I watched the eagle dropped from the tree and flew directly at a hawk on the ground - presumably with a meal. I thought the eagle was attempting to steal the hawk’s lunch. However, after the first attack attempt (when the hawk cautiously flew away), the eagle followed and attacked the hawk a second time. The hawk did make it to perch on a power line right next to a utility pole.

I have seen eagles take pheasants before, but never hawks. I guess I don’t know why eagles wouldn’t go for a hawk meal if they could catch it.

Bald Eagle in Tree - Image 784737