Birds of Prey (and White Pelicans)

              We were able to view some awesome birds in the
                Redding, Ca. area. 

       It is very hard to get within 100 yards of a Red Tail hawk before they decide you are crowding them and off they go. They are a very skittish birds.

Ah, the White Pelican. These buggers were in a crook of the Sacramento River, blocked with trees and an almost impossible clear shot with the camera...best I could do.

In the middle of  Redding Ca., on a tree overlooking the Sacramento River, was this beautiful Bald Eagle nest.

There was a small group of photographers and while talking to one, she'd asked if my camera was the SX40. She said that three others in the group have the same camera for birding, which makes me feel good about all the researching I did before buying mine. 

There are two eaglets (not visible) in the nest. These parents

have a 11-0 record for raising their young to fledgling stage, amazing!! The male stayed out of sight except for one 

non-photographic moment as he flew over the nest keeping a close eye on his family.

While driving on a one lane bridge in the back country, we spotted an Osprey nest in the frame work of the bridge. As we drove under the nest Donna shot this photo thru the moon roof, its the male checking on his mate.

The female stayed on the nest while we walked on the bridge.

I love the intense look from her sizing us up as a threat or not.

The male stayed close, on a tree watching over everything and guarding his area.

 

 As we watched the pair, a Turkey Vulture flew closer and closer to the nest.

 

The minute the Turkey Vulture  flew within 100 feet of the Osprey nest, the male took off, hell bent, on chasing the vulture away. He chased and dive bombed the vulture for at least a 1/4 mile before retreating back to the lookout tree.

What a great day of bird watching!!!