A Windy Walk At Our Local Community Park Was Rewarded With A Bald Eagle Sighting.

It was overcast and very  windy this morning here in Northeastern Pennsylvania. I was unsure where I wanted to hike but stopped  out our local Community park before I made my decision. 

I have been visiting this park since I was five years old and recalled those happy first walks in the Spring with my dad and siblings. They do a good job maintaining the park and it is always nice to see picturesque  Lake Irene. 

I decided to visit this morning since I thought the wind may have brought some migrating water fowl to the lake and I had heard reports of a bald eagle sighting this week. As I walked along the lake the ducks, geese and cormorant I had seen on my last visit where gone. However, the lone pie-billed grebe I had seen was still here, swimming and diving by itself in the cold waters of the lake. 

I walked around the lake in the strong wind and threatening skies. The trees are now bare and made for a somber walk, not like the delightful walks I have take during the Spring and Summer.

I didn’t see them  but there are still beavers in the area. 

I also was surprised to find a few mushrooms still growing in the cold temperatures. 

I had just completed  my walk  around the lake and was going to leave when I saw what appeared to be two bald eagles soaring high overhead. 

I am not a raptor expert, so I wasn’t sure at first, but, after taking a photograph, and enlarging it, I was sure they were two juvenile bald eagles.  It was amazing to see how rapidly they moved in the wind, They circled the lake and took off in the distance to the south. 

I now decided to remain at the park and walked around the lake and surrounding  park for the next two hours. 

I walked the trail that lead past the Hazle Township Babe Ruth field.

I walked down to the new road that was builr on the old railroad right of way. I had only hiked this area once before the road was built about ten years ago.

I wanted to find the path down to the Black Creek that flows near here. However I  couldn’t locate it and made my way, now walking into the strong northerly wind, back to the lake. 

I walked around the lake a few more times but the eagles did not return. There were two men fishing and I had a nice chat with the friendly park caretaker who told me the two eagles have been seen regularly at the lake.  The only other wildlife I saw was a few crows.

And a flock of northern juncos in the shrubs along the lake. Here is a link to some more photographs of the birds I saw on my walk. Community Park hike birds.

It was near lunch time and I was hungry and decided to leave. I was disappointed the eagles didn’t return but,  as I have said before, it is always a good day when you see eagles soaring in the skies of Northeastern Pennsylvania. And as always my hikes in the woods help so much in dealing with the great loss in my life.  Here is a link to some more photographs from my hike. Community Park Hike. 

“A boy’s will is the wind’s will, 
And the thoughts of youth are long, long thoughts.” 
― Henry Wadsworth Longfellow