Our Texas Hill Country Trip

I've been falling behind in my blogging lately but wanted to post a few pictures from our February trip to the hill country. We were there visiting with our daughter and son in law at their condo on Lake LBJ. It's such a pretty place and so much to do for anyone loving the outdoors. First off we had to go to visit the eagles near Llano. We weren't disappointed either. As we drove up we could immediately see the huge nest and one of the parents flying in with food for the eaglets.
 

The eaglets are hopping from branch to branch now and will soon be fledging the nest.

This parent was close by just watching as the little ones exercised their wings and keeping a close eye on the river below.

 

 

 

We took a scenic route back to the condo, crossing the Llano River and passing through some pretty countryside.

 

 

 

 

 

The following day we drove to Ink's Lake State Park where we walked one of the hiking trails.  This was fairly strenuous for me and I'm so thankful it wasn't a very hot day or I never would have made it!!  It was 3.2 miles which doesn't seem like very far but a lot of it was rocky and steep.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now which way??  This isn't looking good!

 

 

 

Now back at the lake and Tropical Paradise.  Seems so unusual to see palm trees in central Texas, but they do very well here.

 

 

 

These little guys look happy with their home on Lake LBJ.

 

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One touch of nature makes the
whole world kin. ~William Shakespeare

 

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 Hope you are seeing some pretty weather

with some spring in the air also!

Springtime Camping in East Texas

Seems like this is the "Year of the Eagle" for us.  In February we saw eagles in the Hill Country and on this camping trip we were in for an amazing treat when a bald eagle landed in our campground.  We usually see one fly over the lake but have never seen one actually land in the campground. 

I almost didn't bother getting my camera since they usually don't stop - or at least we've never seen them land here. I'm so glad I did because he sat in a tall pine tree about 30 yards from our campsite and I was able to get about 20 shots.  The evening sun was shining on his beautiful white head which made everything even better!

After about 5-10 minutes he flew a little further away into the tip top of a tall tree closer to the lake.  I was able to get a few more pictures before he took off. 

 

 

 

 

I love this one!  Just such a beautiful bird!!

 

 

"The founding fathers made an appropriate choice when they selected the bald eagle as the emblem of the nation. The fierce beauty and proud independence of this great bird aptly symbolizes the strength and freedom of America."

President John F. Kennedy

Linking with Wild Bird Wednesday

 

More of Our Texas Hill Country Trip

After leaving our Freedom Flight on Lake Buchanan we drove to this site of a well known eagle nest close to Llano. This pair have been nesting in the area since 2003. So many people visit that the Texas Department of Transportation built a safe pull off area that makes it convenient for birdwatchers that come out with their lawn chairs and binoculars to spend hours watching this family of eagles.

 

 

 

 

It's very easy to spot the nest as soon as you drive up because of its size. They are on average five feet across and two feet tall. It is located along side the Llano River which I imagine is the prime source of their food supply. When we first drove up we didn't see any action at all in the nest but saw one of the parents flying across the highway.  Finally we noticed the two little young ones pop their heads up and then they started practicing for their departure by exercising their wings - wingercizing! Still no parents but we continued waiting. 

 

 

 

 

This eaglet will be fledging soon!! 

 

 

 

 

 

The young birds grow rapidly, gaining about a pound to their body weight every four or five days in the beginning.  At six weeks they are nearly as large as their parents. 

 

A female bald eagle's body length varies from 35 to 37 inches; with a wingspan of 79 to 90 inches. The smaller male bald eagle has a body length of 30 to 34 inches; with a wingspan ranging from 72 to 85 inches.   This explains the need for such a huge nest! 

 

Finally our waiting paid off!  One of the parents flew in and we were able to watch these three for a while.  Looks to me like they're still waiting for more food to be brought in from the other parent!

 

 

It was a great day and we will definitely try to make it

back next year. 




This was hanging on the fence near where we watched.  I thought it was interesting.

But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength.  They will soar high on wings like eagles.  They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.  Isaiah 40:31

Freedom Flight

A few months ago we decided we wanted to take the two-hour Vanishing Texas River Cruise on Lake Buchanan, north of Austin and hopefully see some eagles.   When we started planning our trip, we found out that about 6 times a year they have a Freedom Flight Cruise where they release rehabilitated birds back into the wild. So we waited and watched and finally they announced the date for a Freedom Flight – February 17th. 

We had a beautiful day on Lake Buchanan - cold but sunny.  You can see in the background how low the lake is.  Currently it's about 26' below normal.

This was probably the highlight of our trip - being up close to a bald eagle.  This 4 year old juvenile is not ready to be released today but hopefully some day he will.  I didn't know until recently that bald eagles don't get the white on their head until about 5 years of age.
 

The group that rehabilitates these abandoned, injured, lost, or ill birds is called Last Chance Forever and is based in San Antonio. The birds are treated, nursed to health, and retaught to fly and hunt live prey.  They released 4 birds on this trip and brought several others just to show us.  What a great photo op for us!!

This bird is a Crested Caracara.  They are birds of prey and mostly found in South and Central America, just reaching into the southern United Sates, including Arizona, Texas, and Florida.  They are often seen with Black Vultures or Turkey Vultures.

 

This red tailed hawk didn't hesitate when released.  He is now free! 

 

Great Horned Owl - he had such beautiful eyes!

 

He had a very bad start to his freedom. When released they thought he would fly with the wind and into the trees, but instead he turned and flew against a strong wind and towards the lake. He ended up in the lake and floated for a while before finally flying to a nearby tree in the water. He eventually took off from there and made it to shore. It was a scary moment for all and the handlers were off to get a life jacket getting ready to jump in after him when he took off on his own.

 

 

 

This little tiny owl was also one of my favorites!!  I think he is called a Burrowing Owl.  He will never be able to go out on his own because one wing was so badly injured that it had to be removed.   I'm sure he has a good life with the conservancy!

I still have a few more pics that I'll save for another time.

"Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you."
-- Frank Lloyd Wright, (1867 - 1959) architect