Eagles, Horses, Islands

A Bald Eagle landed in the front pasture today at Sweet Water Farm, and reminded us of what we sometimes take for granted. . .our beautiful San Juan Island wildlife. For most people, this would be a rare opportunity, and though it's more common here than in most places, we try not to forget how lucky we are. My 3 year old filly, Bijoux, knows no fear. . .and marched right over to say hello to this magnificent creature. The eagle, however, must have felt it was beneath him to cavort with such an over-sized prey animal, and promptly departed!

Amrita caught the action from inside her house. Doesn't she have a beautiful view of her mares?











The eagle landed to have a drink out of the pond. This pond is seasonal, and disappears in the summer. We've had so much rain this winter that it is bigger than ever. This is a great opportunity for schooling event horses. We set up stadium jumps along the edge so that the horses can practice landing in the water and cantering confidently through it.

                                                                                          


The eagle looked positively poetic at the edge of the pond. Little did he know. . .the mares had spotted him and were on their way.

The girls are quick to notice intruders, and are usually very bold. Here they are watching him drink. And trying to decide who will approach him first.

Sometimes the eagles like to bathe, and will roll around in the water like feathered seals, spreading out their wings and then plopping their bellies in the water over and over again. But I think this guy was keeping too close an eye on the approaching horses to feel comfortable laying down.

It wasn't long before he decided to change locations. He flew up and glided to the other side of the pond.

Amrita got a spectacular shot of his wingspan. It's hard to tell in the photo, but this is a BIG bird! He had talons that could probably snap my arm.

Much to our delight, he landed again and continued with his business. Perhaps he was hoping the girls wouldn't dare venture across these vast wetlands.

Unfortunately for him. . .they were too curious to leave him alone for long.

Here is Kamiah pretending to ignore him.

Then she decided she needed a drink, too! And provided a gorgeous photo-opt.

The gang wasn't far behind. . .though most of them seemed content to sniff the place where he had first landed.

Except for Bijoux! This horse is afraid of nothing. I seriously think she thought this was her new playmate, flown in from Horse-Toys-R-Us.

She navigated the pond, going around the edge closest to where he was sitting. Pika watches her as  if to say, "ARE YOU CRAZY?!!"

A shark on the prowl. . .she is contemplating her attack.

But of course, this eagle wasn't about to belittle itself amusing her. He took flight with a powerful sweep of his wings. Bijoux was surprised!

I was hoping she would actually start chasing him, but I think she was confused to see her new toy flying into the air.

I particularly like this one because of the reflection in the water. If you look in the background, you can see one of our cross-country ramps. Normally, it's facing the other direction, but we've had such incredible wind storms, that this is the SECOND time this winter that it's blown over. And the thing is HEAVY! It takes two strong people to tip it back over to it's correct position.

Bon Voyage!