Reader M. Stifel saw an ornithological prize this afternoon:
Top of the Evening!
My husband and I spent a great part of the day outside, enjoying the weather and scenery. We live near Holliston and Mendocino. We couldn't help but notice that our normally very noisy and very present birds were all MIA. It was almost eerie, (not aerie.) Suddenly, we saw a flock of ravens soaring across the sky, crowing up a ruckus and bobbing up and down. They were chasing the largest bird I've seen in this area, ever, and I am a native Altadenan and chronic bird watcher. (And I won't say how old I am, but that disclaimer should tell you.)
Luckily, my husband and I keep our handy-dandy copy of "Birds of Los Angeles County" nearby We whipped it out since this giant bird was kind enough to light upon a deodar just northeast of the Holliston and Mendocino intersection. No doubt about it. We we viewing a glorious Golden Eagle. He very graciously perched at the top of the tree for about 20 minutes, and then flapped off to the south making that very distinctive eagle sound, and all the birds in my yard at that time ducked into the nearest trees and bushes. Just shortly before the sun went down tonight, I heard that distinctive eagle call again, and heard the crows cawing, and sure enough, our eagle friend was back up on the top of the deodar.
This isn't big news, but what a glorious glimpse of a golden eagle against our purple mountains. I hope this magnificent creature stays awhile.
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