Date: 09/10/2005

Number: 1

I want to share a really neat experience! While hunting Monarchs along Lake Michigan I had a close encounter of the eagle kind:

While following the tideline of Lake Michigan 1/2 mile north of Porter Creek in the Nordhouse Dunes between Ludington and Manistee; I spotted a huddle of large, dark birds moving in and out of the water. They were near the mouth of Cooper Creek about 1/4 mile up the beach. Because I had my 2 Dalmatians with me, I kept checking the birds as we wandered that direction. I didn't really want to deal with the aggressiveness of Canadian geese pinching the pups! As we got closer, I noticed small, dark birds, perhaps starlings? darting around the bigger birds.

Occasionally, one of the big birds would dart into the surf, wings outstretched, acting like kids playing. Suddenly, one backflipped, kicking at the other.... ? How very ungooselike!

Then two of the five big birds, lifted off with a minimum of wing beats, also ungooselike. Puzzled, I watched as they soared! The forest of pine and dune made a backdrop emphasizing the whiteness of head and rump and also the size of the wingspan. Eagles!

South of me, they banked and settled on the arm of a white pine, bodies snuggling side by side. Looking north up the beach, they called, "Kree! Kree! Kree!"

On the beach, 3 brown chicks/eaglets tussle over what must be a salmon. Wings flap, bodies bump as they push and chase each other, oblivious to their parents voices. My sense of scale adjusts and I realize the "small" black birds are really crows, struggling for their share of fish. For a moment, one youngster responds by lifting into the air and circling. But hunger wins and it turns back to the feast. I hope my photos capture some of the wonder of this whole happening, something never seen in 30 years of visiting this wilderness beach. I keep glancing over my shoulder, hoping the parents won't feel protective or hungry for spotted dogs. I can almost feel those razor talons!

The eaglets give up the fish to the combative crows and take to the air for a few moments, wheeling over head. It is awesome as the parents join them. After a few sweeping circles above the lake and shore with their children, the parents do a power flyover that sends the crows in all directions. I leave the family to their feast, sharing my find with several northbound hikers, making sure they understand to watch and not bother, as we head back to the campground.

By the behavior of the parents, I feel that they were migrating south with family in tow. And judging by the number of small boats on the horizon, there will be lots of beach feasts for those youngsters to enjoy as they travel!

Other than occasional glimpses of eagles along the Grand River a few times both near my home and near Ada, MI. , this is the most eagles I've ever seen. And the first of youngsters. All appeared healthy and playful.

Manistee, MI

Latitude: 44.2 Longitude: -86.2

Observed by:
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