Alrighty then!! I have heard from some readers, done a lot of googling and I believe that both the bird in On Eagle’s Wings and in yesterday’s not a ornithologist are actually immature bald eagles! - yes!!! - Eagles! Nothing against the Osprey who is a gorgeous raptor also, but there is a certain mystique about seeing eagles and the post title and theme: On Eagles Wings - really needed an eagle photo - and I had seen the bird that day! Bald eagles are fairly common here but not where I grew up in northwest Ohio - it always thrills me to see them….

To check for yourself, here is a great link:

From Heidi Rettig (her blog is Two Kitties ) Immature Bald Eagle . Heidi lives on Flathead Lake, within 20 or so miles of me. We just “met” via Pioneer Woman’s blog - and she is also from the midwest - Minnesota…or at least lived there - funny, small world sometimes.

Ok, back to birds….I found an article that talks about how often people mistake immature bald eagles for golden eagles. …AND the kicker is that my mother got out HER bird book and emailed me - immature bald eagle is her call!

My Mama says so - so…

from yesterday’s “not an ornithologist” (photo taken in Wayfarer’s Park 10/28/2008)

and

from July’s “On Eagle’s Wings” (photo taken June 30, 2008 Wayfarer’s Park)…

Young (immature) bald eagles.

In early July, I wrote a very dramatic post titled “On Eagles Wings” - it even has its own page. I identified a beautiful bird as a Golden Eagle. I had been leaning towards Osprey because of the white, but the head…had my bird book out and everything. And seeing the bird, identifying it as an eagle - it helped me formulate what I wanted to say…

This morning, I started the work day very early so as to be able to take some time mid-morning for an errand run and a walk with Karl in the State Park by Flathead Lake. It was a gorgeous day - warming up into the 50’s.

No ice on the roads yet…

We dawdled and enjoyed the sunshine, the smells (Karl) and the views. As we approached the summit of the walk where the trail has views out to the lake, we saw a large bird on a dead tree.

I think it is an Osprey…a couple who came up while I was taking photos said it was an Osprey…and if it is, so is the bird I identified as a “Golden Eagle” in my post “On Eagle’s Wings”. Oh, well - he or she is beautiful and I feel fortunate to have had a close look at such a magnificent bird. I think I will quit identifying birds and just show the photos - I am 0 for 4 on bird id’s on this blog…

***See October 29th correction to an Immature Bald Eagle.

In July ( Opportunity aka Taking a Chance ), I wrote about 13 year old Owen Ford’s site H.O.P.E.S. which is dedicated to raising money for the World Wildlife Fund. H.O.P.E.S. stands for Helping Our Planet’s Endangered Species.

Shortly after the start, with the site on a roll and meeting 3 mini-goals of $500 on it’s way to the main goal of $4000, some glitches with non-profit, PayPal, WWF and ??? forced a pause in the action. But Owen, with the help of her Mom and friends perservered and all is now well. The re-Grand Opening is TODAY! Owen, her mother and friends are making items that are being auctioned on eBay - animal themed items like the gorgeous tiger themed bookmark that is starting things off today. Direct donations are acceptable also.

I hope you will visit the site and leave a comment of encouragement and support for Owen. And if you are moved to bid on an item or give a donation - that would be wonderful also.

Karl and Bob support the World Wildlife Fund and they hope you might like to do that also. Go Owen! H.O.P.E.S. - just a click away!

this afternoon…

…as Fall and Winter collide with the gold of Fall, the snow of Winter and blue sky over dark clouds.

To the right of the road in the above photo.

In the park by the lake before returning home: the larch are starting to turn - light green to gold.

A gray, drizzly day meant Karl and I had the park to ourselves.