Bald Eagles - adult, juvenile, in the nest and in flight

Adult Bald Eagle, soaring above its Richmond, B.C. nest.
White head, white tail, gold eyes, gold beak, dark brown body. © SB

After yesterday's post about Bald Eagles in the Qu'Appelle Valley, I decided to share a few images of young eagles.

I photographed the juvenile Bald Eagle in the tree below in the Qu'Appelle Valley. I was startled to see it sitting in dead branches right beside the road, looking out over the fields and creek.

And I wasn't at first sure what this juvenile eagle was — other than being a very large bird! I was used to seeing adult Bald Eagles from my time living in B.C., but I hadn't seen the young back then, with their mottled feathers and still-dark eyes and beak.

The other pictures of Bald Eagles on this page were taken in the Richmond, B.C., area, where eagles are fairly common birds. (The gigantic nest below is right above a popular bicycle and walking path, on the edge of a busy golf course. The eagles appear to re-use the nest annually, and are quite used to humans — though it's unfortunate that our garbage infiltrated their nest.)

Juvenile Bald Eagle in the Qu'Appelle Valley, Saskatchewan.  Its feathers are very mottled,
and the beak is still mainly dark, though beginning to turn gold, as are its eyes.  © SB.

Pair of young Bald Eagles in their nest, Richmond, B.C.
(yes, that's a plastic garbage bag at left...)
Bald Eagles are very dark feathered when young, with dark beaks and eyes, too.
It takes about four years for them to get their full adult colouring. ©SB

The Bald Eagle nest, from greater distance 
for a different perspective on these massive birds.  © SB

Juvenile Bald Eagle in flight, in Richmond, B.C.
(This is the same young bird as in the shot below.) © SB 

Adult and juvenile Bald Eagle, along the highway near Richmond B.C.
There was a group of four in a field - two adults, and two juveniles. 
(A family group, perhaps?) 
The adults and the juveniles staged several (mock?) battles, flying furiously
at each other, and then calmly strutting together along the grass.  ©SB

What are these? Bald Eagles.  

Location: Near Craven, Saskatchewan, and in Richmond, B.C.
Photo dates: Adult flying, May 4, 2013; Qu'Appelle Valley, March 24, 2012; Nest, June 8, 2014; and Juvenile, flying and with adult, May 5, 2013.

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Spring with Bald Eagles in the Qu'Appelle Valley

Today, we saw four Bald Eagles in the Qu'Appelle Valley near Regina, Saskatchewan. One that soared over us was an adult — or near adult, as in a blurry close-up, it looks to have a few mottled feathers, white on the body and brown on the head. A darker juvenile Bald Eagle was circling with it. And, on the valley floor, two more Bald Eagles were walking on still-frozen parts of the creek, their white heads clearly visible from far away.

Top left, juvenile eagle in flight; top right, adult or near adult.
Bottom, the Qu'Appelle valley. Part of the creek at left was still frozen, and
that's were the other two Bald Eagles are - with several gulls and other birds.
(The eagles are the two black dots, to the right and below the two white dots/gulls.) ©SB

We were interested to see that the Bald Eagles were not the only birds on that part of the creek. There was also a goose, and a small flock of gulls.

And, while I've seen eagles before in the valley, I have never seen so many at one time. Are these heading north, on their spring migration, perhaps?


What are these? Bald Eagles.  

Location: Near Craven, Saskatchewan
Photo dates: April 02, 2016

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First Robin Near Regina - Finally Spring!

I finally saw my first American Robin of the year in the Qu'Appelle Valley near Regina, Saskatchewan. (I'd heard rumours of these birds in various part of the city, but they still haven't come near my backyard.)

And so, I present: Robin on a wire fence.

Beneath the robin, snow. Behind the robin, snow...   © SB

There's something about their beady stare that makes me nervous around robins...

Or, perhaps I feel that way because I have some past history with these birds. Back when I lived in Montreal, one of the local robins became an attack bird with only one target: Me. And these are birds with very long memories...

Still, it's lovely to see robins return. It must really be (almost) spring.


What is this? American Robin.

Location: Near Craven, Saskatchewan, Canada.  

Photo date: April 13, 2013.

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Herd of Mule Deer in the Qu'Appelle Valley, Saskatchewan

On the weekend, we saw a herd of Mule Deer foraging on the hills of the Qu'Appelle Valley — an interesting change from the White-tailed Deer we've seen several times lately.

Mule Deer grazing in the Qu'Appelle Valley. © SB

To me, Mule Deer look grayer than the more common White-tails, but there are other, more prominent differences:

• Mule deer's ears are enormous, well, like the ears of the mules they are named for. 
• They don't have as prominently white eye-rings as White-tailed Deer. 
• Their tails are thin and more ropelike with black tips — and are not raised like white warning flags when they're startled and run. 

Line of Mule Deer walking up the hill. © SB

Mule Deer, Saskatchewan, Canada.  © SB

Not obvious at a glance is that fact that these are true Western deer, said to more abundant in the southwest of the province, while White-tailed Deer are widespread across Saskatchewan and most of North America.


What are these? Mule Deer.

Location: Near Craven, Saskatchewan, Canada.  

Photo dates: April 13, 2013.

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Deer in the Qu'Appelle Valley, Saskatchewan

One of many Qu'Appelle Valley deer.
(Crop from 270 mm) © SB

We saw dozens of deer near Regina, Saskatchewan, yesterday — in the Qu'Appelle Valley east of Craven. First, one group of 11 White-tailed deer, then a handful more, and then larger herds.

The deer were feeding on grasses exposed by the receding snow, and from our distance, they looked well-fed and healthy... But camera lenses can be misleading, and this is said to have been an extremely harsh winter for wildlife.

These White-tailed deer were entertaining to watch — some appeared completely oblivious to us, as we stood on the road above. Others seemed mildly curious, while a few ran away, white tails flagging a warning.

Oddly, though, in running away from the fields, they ran up and across the incline towards us, as if safety meant their usual route through the wooded slopes of the valley sides — even if that meant crossing the road in front of a car. Our car.

I've noticed small flocks of roadside birds do the same: They see the car, swirl up to flee — and as they rise, they turn and fly towards the vehicle, often flying right at or beside it.

Two deer watch from the valley bottom. (Crop from 300mm)  © SB

Distant shot of a group of White-tailed Deer. (From the road, at 200mm)  © SB

What are these? White-tailed Deer (And no, we were not close to them...) 
Location: South side of the Qu'Appelle Valley, east of Craven, Saskatchewan, Canada.   

Photo date: April 2, 2013. 

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White-tail Deer of Deer Valley, Saskatchewan

Out driving, looking for deer this week, we found these White-tail Deer in the aptly named Deer Valley, near Lumsden, Saskatchewan.

The deer watch me as, elbows and lens propped on a distant snowbank, I take a telephoto shot. © SB

The deer are watchful, cautious. They don't look like they approve of human incursions, even (especially?) at the edge of this new real estate venture — an area marketed with their name and body parts (Whitetail Ridge, Deer Point Place), where their wild majesty may soon be seen only as an annoying intrusion into gardens and golf.

Yes, the lowland where they are feeding will be a golf course again once the snow clears and the land dries out. Lush valley bottom claimed for human recreation...

Try to ignore the natural world if you will. But it is here, hidden perhaps and unnoticed. But watching...

What are these? White-tail deer.
Location: Near Lumsden, Saskatchewan, Canada. 

Photo dates: March 14, 2013. 

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Deer in the Qu'Appelle Valley, late winter afternoon

Late on a winter afternoon, a herd of White-tailed deer grazed in the Qu'Appelle Valley, near Lumsden, Saskatchewan. Their main culinary attraction appeared to be hay, from snow-topped round bales arrayed around the field.

A cluster of seven (?) deer, at the hay bale   © SB

At first, the cluster of deer around each bale stopped and stared at me as I sat in my car, way off on the shoulder of the road, snapping pictures. Then, the White-tailed Deer began to ignore me and went back to eating, clambering onto the bales, running — and greeting each other.

White-tailed deer, watching the photographer  © SB

Deer running towards the shelter of trees. © SB  

Deer, clambering onto the hay bale for a different view of food.© SB

The young deer, at left, ran across the field to greet
the older deer, centre, which stood still and watched,
then rubbed noses with the young one, once it arrived.© SB

What are these? White-tailed deer

Location: Near Lumsden, Saskatchewan. 

Photo dates:  February 12, 2013

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Turkey Vultures in Saskatchewan's Qu'Appelle Valley

Fence-post Turkey Vulture, displaying its long claws.  © SB

Eight Turkey Vultures sat on fence posts at the edge of the Qu'Appelle Valley, near Craven, Saskatchewan.

Further down the road, a dozen rose from a tree-filled coulee to soar across the sky.

In all, I saw more than 20 Turkey Vultures that day — a personal record.

Even better, I managed a few clear shots of this impressive, large (and very weird looking) bird.

These carrion-eaters have red featherless heads — good for personal hygiene, and an easy way to identify Turkey Vultures at close range. In the sky, their dark upper and light lower feathers are a better marker, as well as the shape of their wings and tail.

The Vulture Society says Turkey Vultures do well in landscapes with open and wooded areas, but can be found almost anywhere. (The Society also calls Turkey Vultures "gentle and non-aggressive," which will be good to remember if I am lucky enough to again be confronted by so many.)

Turkey Vultures: Eight on posts, two on the ground.   © SB

Turkey vultures: 10 flying over the trees.  © SB

Turkey Vulture, wings spread in flight.    © SB  

What are these?  Turkey Vultures

Location: Along Route #99 through the Qu'Appelle Valley, north of Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Photo date: August 10, 2012.  

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Turkey Vulture on High-Flying Carcass Hunt

A Turkey Vulture soared over the Qu'Appelle Valley ahead of me as I drove down Route 99 from Highway 6 towards Craven, Saskatchewan.

This bird, a huge, high raptor, was noticeable for the size of its wingspan — and its small beak and head. (Turkey Vultures' heads, of course, are featherless and red — but I couldn't see that from the ground, nor is the colour highly visible in the photos I took.) 

Turkey Vulture on high-flying hunt © SB

I was surprised by how beautiful the Turkey Vulture was from far below, its under-feathers frilly and light in flight. 

This scavenger spun high on thermals over the valley, and then — on the scent of a carcass? — dove into the hills below.

(And the Turkey Vulture's protective-shield effect continues; this is the second vulture I've seen in the valley, and I haven't yet managed a sharp, noise-free shot.)  

eta: Finally! Some great shots of Turkey Vultures! 

What is this bird? Turkey Vulture

Location: Qu'Appelle Valley, along Rte 99 (west of Highway 6), Saskatchewan.

Photo date:  July 26, 2012.

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Baltimore Oriole: Improbably, brilliantly orange

I've seen very few Baltimore Orioles this season — only two, in fact: first, the improbably, brilliantly orange and black bird in this photograph, taken in Saskatchewan's Qu'Appelle Valley; and second, an equally vibrantly orange bird, high in a tree in Regina's Wascana Park.

Baltimore Orioles summer and breed here, but so far, the specialized oriole feeder we bought is not doing its job: Not a single oriole has been sighted in or near our yard.

I was startled when this bird landed on a post beside me;
such a brilliant colour!  © SB

What is this bird? A Baltimore Oriole
Location: In the Qu'Appelle Valley, on the road from Rte 99 over to the little church near Craven, Saskatchewan. 

Photo date:  May 25, 2012. 

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