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Pomera Fronce and I birded west of Corinne
yesterday in Box Elder County both along SR-83 and out to Golden Spike
NHS. The day was beautiful and we made the most of birding in
remote desert and ranchland. Although we saw few raptors, they
included Red-tails, Rough-legs, American Kestrels, Northern Harriers,
Golden Eagles, and Bald Eagles (at Willard Bay). The highlight was
provided by a pair of Golden Eagles perched overlooking a sweeping expanse
of marsh.
Our first two looks at Golden Eagles were at long
distances. One bird was perched atop a power pole within the Thiokol
complex and another soared along a ridge west of Thiokol. Pomera commented
how nice it would be to see an eagle closer. Her wish was the charm that
did the trick. Little did we know that we were about to see a pair of
Golden Eagles as close as either of us had ever been to a wild
eagle.
We turned off SR-83 at mile marker 8 and headed
north on the dirt road to Salt Creek WMA. Far in the distance and just
west of the road, a low rocky bluff rises above the marsh. We could see
two dark lumps perched on a rocky outcrop of the bluff. At that distance,
we could only be sure that the lumps were not jet-black ravens. The
identity of the Golden Eagles was revealed as we closed the distance, but still,
it took binoculars to see that they were eagles. The structure of the bluff offered us a golden opportunity--and we took
it.
We parked east of the bluff, out of
sight, and hundreds of yards away from the pair of eagles. They were
perched on a westward-facing crag that overlooked the north expanse of Public
Shooting Grounds WMA. The bluff disguised our approach and kept any
crunching of gravel or rustling of brush from reaching the birds that we
stalked. Even so, it seemed impossible to me that wild creatures would not
detect the approach of two humans.
As we neared the top of the bluff, we crept along
the the eastern slope and ducked low to use the rocks as a blind. Finally,
the ridge fell away and I prepared to peek over the edge,
Kilroy-fashion. What a shock! The eagles were still there...50,
maybe 60 feet away Both birds perched serenely on the crag, backs to me,
golden napes glowing, unaware that two humans had just crept closer than they
ever would have allowed.
Just as quickly as I peeked up, I popped back
down. I gestured toward Pomera that the eagles were still there. I
don't exactly know what the _expression_ was on my face, but later Pomera
described a look of great shock. I must have been catching
flies. Anyway, Pomera and I switched places and she, too, did her Kilroy
imitation to get a look at the great birds so close. Her gestures
indicated that, "Wish I had my camera!" feeling. We switched
places again. The next time I peered over the rock, one eagle half turned
its head, caught a glimpse of me, and both birds took flight. What regrets
I felt. Pomera and I watched them as their huge wings flapped deeply over
the marsh and they blended into the horizon line. It was
an amazing experience!
We abandoned our natural blind and approached the
rocky perch. I couldn't resist...I climbed it. I wondered if it was
a favorite place and I might find a juicy coyote leg left behind or some such
thing. But alas, no signs revealed how frequently the birds visited,
other than a few chalk marks.
It seemed such a marvel to stand on the spot where
two wild Golden Eagles had just perched, minutes earlier. The gray rock
was covered with flecks of soft green and bright orange lichens. Nooks and
crannies and crevices looked perfect for Yellow-bellied Marmots
to hide...or for hapless hikers to step. Tufts of dried golden grass
waved in the light breeze, and of course, our eyes were drawn to the sweeping,
sun-soaked marsh
below. Breathtaking...breathtaking!
I wish, I wish, I wish that the eagles had not
detected me. But at least both Pomera and I had an opportunity to see
them at such close range. We agreed that
one of the eagles was an adult, and the
other was perhaps a 2nd year bird due to the lighter accents on the wing and
tail coverts. As we walked away from the bluff and back to the truck, it
didn't seem to matter that we hadn't seen many other raptors. Those two
made the day.
Kris
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