Bald Eagles and Mallards

As we back the car up the driveway,

we see a mallard pair standing on the roof ridge

looking down the hill toward the Petitcodiac River marshes.

What are they doing on the roof?

Then as we back into the roadway,

we notice behind our neighbour's house,

two Bald Eagles sitting, watching the ducks.

The ducks fly toward the river

and the larger eagle flies too.

Round to the front of our house, we drive.

No ducks in sight,

no eagle.

Mystery.

When we return form errands,

the smaller eagle still sits;

sits still, two hours later,

waiting.

Photos copyright 2010-2014 Carol Steel

What We See in the Yard

 

Each day in winter, we feed the ducks.

  When the snow is too deep for them to forage on the river marsh,

it is essential to remember to throw

the cracked corn out for them.

Our biggest problem is to avoid attracting pigeons.

 

 

However, for the ducks, the larger issue

is avoiding becoming lunch.

 

 

In the past week, hungry Bald Eagles have patrolled

the tallest evergreens near our home.

 

 

We don't always see them as their heads

look like snow in the trees and their dark bodies blend

with the branches.  Can you see two?

 

 

Once we spotted them and began to take photos,

the eagles moved to another tree. 

We'll stay inside from now on;

we don't wish to disturb them.

 

 

We feel lucky to live in a place where we can enjoy

 such magnificent birds from our kitchen windows.

 

 

I wonder if we could entice the eagles

to eat the pigeons.

 

I can live with that.