Bald Eagle!

It was 32 degrees this morning at 8:00 a.m. and slightly overcast. I started in the lower gardens which was inundated with juncos. They were very busy talking and interacting and I felt like they were at their Sunday social! Our regular friends were about - mostly a few song sparrows, titmice, cardinals, mockingbirds and chickadees.
The geese are very active right now and I took this shot of a group flying overhead.

The upper gardens were rather quiet, so I headed down to the river where I came upon this pair of geese. I know it's getting to be time to pair off and these two definitely looked like a "couple". Saw a male hooded merganser cruising down the river with four females looking very grand. Every so often one or more would disappear from sight as they dove under the water looking for food. Heard the purring and calls of the red-bellies but didn't catch a glimpse of them. They were across the river.

I decided to walk through the woods along the river when I heard some action in the leaves as well as tiny little squeaking noises. I was looking for a bird, when I realized there was a family of chipmunks - at least four or five and they were scurrying all through the leaves and on logs to perch for a moment and do a quick grooming and check out the scene. I was trying to get a picture which proved impossible, but I saw something out of the corner of my eye and looked up and there it was!!!!! The bald eagle flying overhead!!! I probably wouldn't have ever noticed had I not read in the bird register that someone with the initials D.T. had seen a bald eagle last week. I am so excited to see one at our Nahanton Park! Wonder if it's visiting or if it might find our park suitable for nesting????

Check out the Newton Birding blog (link to right under followers section) to see Scott's pictures of Eurasian Teals!