Elk to Eagles
Winter in the Gorge!
While the bears should be hibernating in their Winter nap, the Eagles have returned to the Gorge for the southern migration to happy fishing grounds.
I threw my camera in my car as I headed to work in the morning, with hopes if I got out of work before sunset I could take a short drive to look for the Bald Eagles. My day started off even better than imagined, the elk that frequent our area, were hanging out. Usually, I do not seem to be lucky enough to see them when I have my camera, today was a different day. Quick detour to enjoy the small herd grazing in the nearby field. I actually think one of the cow elk was excited and showing off as she galloped around the herd and in front of me. The elk have become accustomed to viewers from the car, as long as they have a little buffer, they will hang out for the enjoyment of others.
The hardy do not let wind, rain, snow and freezing temperatures slow us down. To the Eagles, this is Spring like conditions ( compared to further North). Its all perspective. While the high winds have white caps on the Columbia River and make the temperatures to the human skin colder, the Eagles are playing in the breeze and sailing. When I left work and headed East up HWY 14, today was an exceptional day for viewing these majestic birds.
The osprey have gone south until Late Spring, leaving lots of fish and waterfowl for the Eagle. You can find several families of Bald Eagle in the Gorge. There is a family along the mouth of the Wind River and Home Valley Park, another family by Drano Lake, I have seen them to the West in Stevenson at the mill ponds and further West by Beacon Rock. The viewing is easy to enjoy even from the warmth of your vehicle if the wind and freezing temperatures are too much to bare. Today I was lucky, I found the family at Drano Lake. I parked back by the inlet area off the hwy and walked down to the banks of the inlet sight. A couple of teen eagles were standing in the shallow waters waiting for dinner. As I watched them from the side of the bank, I realized it was either mom or dad that decided to watch me. Flying around above me, circling and he looked down and landed in a tree top to watch my every move. Curious? Or does the wildlife like to " human watch" as we like to wildlife watch? It gave me a "kindership" feeling with the Eagles as we viewed each other. Feeling comfortable as I know I was not a threat to them, they felt the same comfort and curious feelings as they watched me.
So if the winds are too cold to venture outside much, you can still enjoy the beauty and wildlife of the Gorge from the warmth of your car.
today, like every day offers at least one thing that will make your heart sing. If you have not found it, be on the look out, don't let that moment pass you by. There are the simple beauties in every day if you stop to see them.
