Pretty birds

Sunday, 3:29 pm

By Kate

Feb

24

2008

It was a beautiful day to be out and about—not too cold with clear blue skies. A friend and I stopped by the bookstore to browse for a while. Then we hit the bakery/creperie. I ordered a spinach and feta crepe. Oh yum. It was fun to watch the other patrons. One gentleman was oblivious to his surroundings with his headphones on, plugged into his laptop enjoying the free wireless Internet service. Several others were scattered around on the various sofas and comfy chairs, busy writing in their journals or drawing. With a gas fireplace tucked in the corner, the place was cozy.

Afterwards, we headed down toward the waterfront to see if any of the bald eagles had come out to play. Indeed, they were out. There were a couple of adult eagles flying/gliding around over the river and one immature eagle, too. The youngster was clearly an eagle—very, very large and very, very splotchy. I read that it takes an immature eagle between four and five years to acquire its adult plumage. So I don’t suppose the two adult eagles were necessarily the young one’s parents. The two adults pretty much ignored the young one. Eagles are amazingly beautiful birds. And just eye-poppingly huge. It was such a pleasure being able to see some today. Within a couple of weeks, they’ll be busy nesting and raising their young. We’ll be extremely lucky to catch a glimpse of one for the remainder of the season.

There were also the usual seagulls zipping around, being their amusing and obnoxious selves. And a rather surprising number of Common Loons. Usually when I see a loon out on the river, it is alone. But today there were 6 of them together. Not exactly paying attention to each other, but bunched up together nonetheless. They were all dressed up in their breeding plumage which is very distinctive and pretty.

What a lovely day. I saw pretty birds. Just heavenly.