Sunday in the Yard with George
This is George. He stops by my yard almost every day. Usually Martha comes with him this time of the year, but not today. I always know when they are around. Their chattering calls announce their arrivals. This is courtship season, so I expect there will be a lot of chattering in the coming days. It's usually a noisy affair. I can tell this is George, because he is not as big as Martha. Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) are monogamous and tend to remain paired for life according to Seattle Audubon. I have been fortunate to witness their tumbling courtship displays over Skagit Bay. The pair will fly high above the water circling each other and chattering. Then they grasp each other by the feet and tumble towards the bay like skaters in a death spiral. They release just before hitting the water and swoop off in opposite directions to prepare to do it all over again. They look like they are having a lot of fun. ...