I felt good when Lola and I got up at 5:20, although I will say, she was WAY more excited to stuff her face in a bowl of “lamb” and rice dog food than I was to serve it, but I was looking forward to the day’s lumber, despite the early morning assault on my senses.
I think the bulk of my motivation was that, if for no other reason, I was VERY much looking forward to the weekend, and the return of legit European football, rather than crap International Break stuff. NOT that I don’t enjoy the Euros and the World Cup, but watching England play Wales in a friendly is not really my cup of tea. I digress.
With that lengthy and unnecessary introduction out of the way, for the fifth day in a row, I was in the woods just after 7 AM, and knocked out 2 miles before the sun rose, and then ditched my light and continued on in the dark grey morning light to get my six miles. Success.
A Highlight & A Low Light
Right around the 3.5-mile mark, I was on a trail along the river, and was scouting the trees for birds of prey as I lumbered along, trying not to trip and kill myself. As I crested a small hill, I could hear a bird call that I had honestly never heard before.
Since I was unsure what I was dealing with, I had my camera ready, and as I was looking through the trees to my left, I saw a Bald Eagle on my side of the river.
After I got over the shock that they actually make calls like that, I tried to get an unobstructed view of it.
Sadly, it was not to be, and as I tried one more time, it leaped from the branch and took flight overhead with its large wings audibly flapping as it did so. It was so large that when it took off, its weight broke the branch it was on, and I then heard it crashing through the trees as it fell.
I continued on, disappointed, but happy with an amazing encounter.
Then, a half mile later, I saw it AGAIN, this time on the opposite side of the river, but as soon as I stopped, it took off again. It was on to me!!!
With two sightings of the same bird, I had now all but given up and made my way towards the covered bridge trail.
I slowly made my way through the bridge and looked out the windows, scanning the trees, thinking that maybe, just maybe, it flew this direction.
Just as I was about to exit the bridge, I looked out the last open window and thought I saw something in the trees, but it turned out to just be my imagination. I took two steps out from the covered bridge, looked up, and saw the SAME GAHDAMN BALD EAGLE FLY OVERHEAD AND AWAY FROM ME.
That was the point that I turned into my late father, and let out an audible, “YOU BASTARD!!!” I may have even shook my fist at it as it flew away.
As I finished up the hike, I didn’t see much to photograph other than some random bits of nature and a deer in hiding. And as much as I wanted to lumber the last mile cursing my bad luck, and saying things like “I didn’t want a photo of an eagle anyway. Eagles are stupid!” I didn’t. I was 25 yards or so from an amazing bird, had THREE encounters, and found out that when eagles aren’t screeching, they have a pretty uncharacteristic call.
I also had to remind myself that just a few years ago, outside of a nest near Meridian Park, I wouldn’t have even known where to find eagles. But now, learning as I go, I know where to look, when to be ready, have got a few photos, and learn a bit more about their behavior with each encounter. Not to mention they’re badasses, and even without a photo, I cherish each time I see one.
I also cherish weekends that are hopefully filled with footy, a Spurs victory, beers, and hopefully a photocreep or two.
Later.
THE SOILED SOUNDS TRACK OF THE POST
Today we go to the Netherlands and a single by the garage punk band Eyesores called Digital Prison. I dig it the most, and their sound is reminiscent of bands like The Chats, Teen Mortgage, and Stiff Richards. In other words, it rips and should be listened to at high volumes.