A Fawn is Born...Shenandoah National Park

After the perfect weather and the clear beauty of the mountains we were ready for some wildlife.

 

We were seeing a deer here and there but nothing outstanding until we came across a flower strewn field with a single Doe giving birth to a fawn!

We arrived as the fawn was being born and she was lying down... as soon as he popped out she stood up and started the tedious job of cleaning up all the blood and fluids from him and from the ground.

Bear are numerous and drawn to the smell of blood. 

 We watched for about fifteen minutes as she labored over her job

 

 He was trying his best to stand up, but she kept knocking him over with all the licking going on

When she was finally satisfied with his cleanliness she laid down to feed him

Shenandoah National Park tags their deer and some still have radio collars to track CWD.

(Chronic Wasting Disease) although none has been reported in the park.  That is why she has the

81 tag in her ear.

 

 

He nursed for awhile and she continued to lick him clean

 

 In some of the photographs I removed the tag.  I find it distracts from the picture.

 We watched in awe for about an hour.  What a miracle to witness this birth.

 

 We couldn't have chosen a more beautiful meadow for her to bring her little one into the world.

 

We were rejoicing over our being in the right place at the right time.

 

To God be the Glory  ~~  Great Things He Hath done



The Beauty of Shenandoah National Park

This year we went early....Mid  May instead of our usual June trip. The number one thing I noticed was the crystal clear weather.  .  You could see for miles. 

The further up Skyline Drive the better the view.  Beauty everywhere.

One thing that was missing was those large fluffy white clouds usually seen up here. I guess you give something to gain another.

This was a picture taken last June from an overlook showing the clouds.

When the evening arrived we were blessed with a beautiful sunset.

To God be the Glory  ~~  Great Things He hath Done



Bearly Home....but Home it is

This year at Shenandoah National Park we saw one small bear and got no pictures...No matter how hard we tried no bear were showing up.  We had been home one day when my brother calls me and says guess what is at my bird feeder.  

I guess the moral of the story is  "Home is where the bear is!!"  Good ole PA. 

 

For anyone who can't open the video here are a couple photographs taken with an iPhone

through a window.

 

 

 

Bear in Shenandoah National Park

My trip to Shenandoah National Park last June was the "year of the Bear" for sure!  In Three days we saw 21 bear just driving between Skyland and the Big Meadows.  Here are some of the pictures I was able to capture. 

 

 

Little guy right along the road within yards of our room.

 

 

 

This larger bear walked right out of the woods and across the road in front of us

 

 

While walking Limberlost Trail this handsome fella was turning over logs and stones looking for a morsel of food

 

We saw this bear on one side of a building and as we drove by ......

 

A deer on the other side...

 

Some just wouldn't look at us   ...  camera shy

Others more than glad to pose.

 

To God be the Glory  ~~  Great Things He Hath Done

 

 



Eagle Update

Of the two American Bald Eagles found dying from poison at the Marion County Landfill in Ocala Florida one has recovered and been released somewhere far away from the 'dump' and the other has died.

 I would much rather be driving along and spot an Eagle's nest and stop and get some pictures.  That is exactly what happened on the road near Lake Weir, in Florida when I was there.

 The traffic was such that I could not get more than this, but was blessed to see an Eagle tending to its nest.

To God be the Glory  ~~  Great Things He Hath Done

You Saw Eagles WHERE??

While visiting my brother in Ocala, Florida... We took a ride past the Marion County Landfill or the 'Dump" as everyone calls it. At first sight this is what I saw:

 

Hundreds of birds swooping down and back up.   You would think most of these would be Vultures.. now wouldn't you?

Look closely... see the white heads and tails. 

Yep..American Bald Eagles

 I found this an unusual place to see them, but stands to reason they have to eat too... and there is no work involved in going to the 'dump' right?

 There were mature ones, with all white heads and tails and then some immature or juveniles too.  Like the one above.

Look closely and you will also Seagulls mixed in with the other birds.

An Eagle does not get its all white head and tail until about 4 or 5 years old.  So if there is a dusting of brown in the white you know they are still as young as 2 to 3 yrs. old

It was fascinating seeing all these birds congregating together above the landfill.  There were a lot of smaller birds there too but I was unable to ID them.

 

 A Vulture swoops over the heads of two Juvenile Eagles.

 

Today my brother sent me this report concerning the 'dump' or Marion County Landfill

https://www.facebook.com/AnimisFoundation

You will read what is happening to these Bald Eagles and other birds now.

 

 

 

To God be the Glory  ~~  Great Things He Hath Done