Eagle-eyed view in Highland Park

eaglepole.jpg

Thanks to Justin Fallstrom for sending that photo. He writes:

Generally there is not much exciting going on down here in Highland Park; however, this morning, while working outside on the second sunny day in a row, the local murder of crows caught my attention. Apparently crows and bald eagles do not get along very well, however, the fellow in the attached photos did not appear to be too bothered by the very noisy crows. Thought the readers might be interested. The high voltage pole the eagle is perched on is at the intersection of 13th Ave SW and SW Cambridge.

7 Replies to "Eagle-eyed view in Highland Park"

  • Bernicki February 17, 2008 (4:00 pm)

    This is the third day in a row that I’ve seen eagles flying around West Seattle. A couple days ago there were two of them cruising around the Admiral viewpoint. Today I saw one flying west over Admiral.

  • miws February 17, 2008 (4:18 pm)

    So, is the eagle a suspect in the murder of crows?

    .

    :rimshot:

    .

    *Ducks*

    .

    Mike

  • credmond February 17, 2008 (4:29 pm)

    I’ve seen many a murder chasing after the eagles in HIghland Park and Puget Ridge. Spent about 30 minutes last summer just watching as a single eagle not only gathered about 40 or so crows but kept moving them higher and higher until the crows were left below. Then watched as the eagle took a predatory nip at the wing of the closest crow and made wing moves like he/she was going after another. Lots of squawking and black wings fluttering but the eagle proved its point and returned to the top of the tree from whence it had been “chased” by the crows. The natural tension in action – eagles snatch baby crows just as crows snatch baby other birds. I wish there were more hawks chasing the unnaturally large pigeon population we have here.

  • jiggers February 17, 2008 (5:01 pm)

    Pidgeons are nothing more than rats in the air.

  • Bob February 17, 2008 (5:02 pm)

    I’ll second the pigeon-eating proposal. Maybe some public spirited zoo or wildlife group could free a few hawks in the area periodically. Or maybe all we’d need is the local Audubonian equivalent of Montgomery Burns.
    .
    Burns: “Smithers! Is that an intruder?”
    .
    Smithers: “What was that, Mr. Burns?” (wrings hands)
    .
    Burns (shouts, snarling): “Loose the raptors!”

  • artsea February 18, 2008 (3:30 pm)

    Just got back from the Alaska Junction an hour ago after standing next to my car for several minutes to watch an eagle floating in tight circles around and around above me. Re the annoying pigeon groups around West Seattle… there are several different types of hawks that do their best to keep down the population, but, we need more hawks here. I’ve happily seen them take down groups of pigeons which are hanging around under my bird feeders.

  • JumboJim February 19, 2008 (10:59 am)

    Pigeons rock. Y’all are nuts. (As long as they’re not under *my* eaves.)

Sorry, comment time is over.