So I took my camera to work today, hoping to get off early and maybe
swing through Dutch Gap....but that didn't happen. I came out of the
office a bit before 5 and looked up...overhead is an immature bald
eagle....soaring above me, looked really beat up. I grabbed my camera
and took a couple shots, but the sun was awful and not good for
pictures...I put my camera back in the car and notcied my lucky hat in
the backseat. It was Friday afternoon, my hair was in my face, so I
grabbed my hat and put it on. I looked up the river and saw the
Benjamin Harrison Bridge sitting open, so I decided to go the long way
home down 295. Since I had my lucky hat AND my camera, I decided to
swing by Crewes Channel....and I am so glad I did.
As I pulled up, I immediately noticed the flock of about a dozen Egrets
scattered about the middle of the channel. They spooked a bit and moved
around some...but stayed there. I parked and turned off the truck and
put down the windows. I got my camera out of the back seat and grabbed
my binoculars and started scanning. First thing I saw were a group of
three White Ibis towards the back near the Egrets. Way too far away for
decent pics, but still good to see them. I then started near me and
scanned the edge of the channel....one Sandpiper up close, behind him, a
group of five Raccoons...momma and four young in the edge of the
marsh....cute little things. Then scanned some more, a few turtles, a
Killdeer, more White Ibis....and then a white-tailed deer in the
back...and ten feet from him, an adult Bald Eagle! This is just too
cool I thought....
It was an amazing hour sitting there watching all of these animals
co-exist together...not bothering anyone, just feeding and moving
around. Another immature eagle flew over, as well as several other
birds around me including a Grey Catbird, Blue Herons, Bluebird, Blue
Grosbeak, Tufted Titmouse, Chickadee, Cardinals, Red Breasted Nuthatch,
Blue Gray Gnatcatcher, and several Yellowthroats.
The sun was not great for pics, but I took a few.....I think the not so
hot afternoon had everyone out and about. On the way home, I saw
several hawks, turkeys, and other birds out as well.
http://public.fotki.com/bhouston/miscellaneous/nature_pics/20110805-crewes-channel/?view=roll
have a great weekend all.
Barbara Houston
New Kent, VA