In 2021 I didn’t photograph my first bird of the year (or at east keep any photos of birds I may have photographed) until January 9, mostly because of persistent overcast skies that made for poor shooting conditions. The anger, anxiety, depression and extreme sadness resulting from the events of January 6 may have contributed to that delay.
But nine days into the new year I finally got my first bird and it was a doozy.
1/2000, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
It was an adult Bald Eagle that I didn’t even have to leave my neighborhood for. A considerate neighbor who knew I was a passionate bird photographer called to tell me there was a Bald Eagle in a tree in a neighbor’s yard behind her house. I had to drive around in an unfamiliar part of the neighborhood to have an unobstructed view in half-way decent light but when I finally positioned myself I was close to the eagle and it didn’t fly off for several minutes.
I hadn’t photographed an eagle in my neighborhood since I had to have my huge, old and dangerous elm tree removed that eagles used to perch in occasionally in winter so even seeing this bird was a real treat. Getting some decent photos of it and having a Bald Eagle be my first bird of the year were the icing on the proverbial cake.
Dang, I hope I don’t have to wait nine more days to photograph my first bird of 2022. The forecast for tomorrow morning looks clear and frigid (9° F.) so I have high hopes.
I have to be honest, I wish I had similar lofty hopes for how 2022 will turn out for all of us but I just don’t. But I do have what I think may be realistic expectations that 2022 will be a significant improvement over last year. And the sooner that anticipated trend begins the better.
So, Happier New Year my friends! I wish the very best for all of you in 2022.
Ron
PS – I don’t know about you but my New Year started out on a high note. The anticipated and extremely annoying fireworks last night were kept to a bare minimum. I barely heard them, none of them were in my neighborhood and they didn’t last anywhere near as long as they usually do.
It’s a start…
What a wonderful delight to photograph this beautiful, majestic bald eagle in your neighborhood at the first of 2021. I hope you are blessed with another this January. I guess I took the loss of your elm personally knowing that the bald eagle would no longer be visiting your yard. I am so glad you have a neighbor that notifies you when an eagle is perched nearby.
Magnificent bird. Hard to beat this as first of the year.
I was pretty tickled. Thanks, Kenneth.
I see the Bald Eagle looking back on the last couple of years (or perhaps since 2016) with dismay. Hopefully, he will look back on this year a bit more agreeably. But, like EC, I’m not holding my breath.
I don’t blame you, Lyle.
What a gorgeous shot to open on this first day of 2022. I am envious of neighborhood Bald Eagles. 🦅
Unfortunately, even though fireworks are illegal in our city, we had a barrage starting at 9 and again at midnight, with a couple of really loud ones after 1 am. I find myself having more and more unkind wishes regarding the lighters of these nefarious mini-bombs.
I found out close to midnight that my friend’s house in CO was still standing, so that is a bit of good news.
Good for your friend, Marty. I have family and friends in CO but none near the fires.
What a wonderful photo! A great 1st of the year pic!
Thanks, Joanne.
Beautiful image of a majestic bird…love te the background..I hope it’sGod yesr ft you…on all fronts👍🤞🍀🦅
That’s supose to be GOOD yesr…..weusually hsvea barrsge of firework, much to my disppoingment, but had blessed SILENCE instead..
“Blessed” silence indeed!
I envy your eagles in your yard and neighborhood, I don’t get those. Happy New Year Ron! I had the fireworks in my neighborhood, they were big aerial reloadable mortars. We haven’t had them for New Years in years. I figured everyone grew up, got old, but we have had houses roll over with younger owners.The fireworks don’t bother me unless we have birds weathering in the mew. Fireworks frightens the birds and they can flush, full speed, into the cage side getting injured. We usually have a neighbor family that gets together with their adult children and grandchildren who all come outside at midnight and bang pans and yell. They had a tragedy in their family in 2021 with the unexpected death of an adult son, they had big family get togethers with the funeral in August so perhaps circumstances did not allow them to be together for the New Year.
I plan to get out tomorrow morning too, I hope there is not fog this time. Perhaps we will cross paths. I will bring the mantis egg ootheca just in case we meet.
It would be fun to see you again, April. But based on the forecast cold we’ll have to pull our vehicles close to each other and keep our heaters running while we gab… 🙂
P.S. I join Frances in asking what kind of tree that is …anyone know ?
My tree field guide doesn’t show it -must be a cultivar ?
I hope someone chimes in with at least an educated guess. I have no idea.
Is it a sycamore?
Kind of looks like Silver Maple but not sure……
https://thelifeofyourtime.wordpress.com/2013/03/14/flower-buds-on-a-silver-maple/
Beautiful picture Ron, thank you. I did not know how turn-y or twisty the eagle’s neck is – almost like an owl’s. Do you know what kind of tree that is? And crossing my fingers and toes for 2022
Thanks, Frances. No, I don’t know what kind.
Snap on the fireworks front. Normally there are LOTS let off in the suburb and our street. Not this year.
And thank you for the majestic marvel.
I do hope 2022 is a better year, for you, for all your readers, and for the world. Not holding my breath though – blue is not my colour.
It isn’t my color either, EC. Unless it’s the color of the sky that lets good light through to ‘my’ birds. Or the color of a large body of water.
Starting off the first day of 2022 with my favorite… the Bald eagle 😊
The fireworks were not as bad as the 4th. Fireworks I don’t mind it’s the bombs that shake the windows that I hate.
Here’s to 2022 being what we make it😁
Diana, I thought the Bald Eagle was a fitting symbol for my hopes for our country this year.
Lovely bald eagle. I hope that it and all it represents does better in 2022, but I’m very nervous about that.
Farther away and fewer fireworks than usual. If I’d been asleep, they would not have awakened me. We’re having our first significant snowfall here in Denver, hopefully snuffing out any remaining embers of the grass fires north of us.
I hope your readers remember that lack of water in winter threatens at least as many birds as lack of food. I can’t believe how long some birds are drinking from my heated water supply.
I should put my heated bird bath out. Thanks for the reminder, Nancy.
WOW! A very nice way to start my 2022! Thank you.
I wish you a happy healthy New Year with grand bird adventures.
I am very glad you got your snow blower back.
Take Care,
Kaye
I’m glad too, Kaye. I’d be hurting today if I hadn’t.
I remember that stunning photo from last year. It’s a great way to begin this year as well. Happy New Year!
Not the same photo but similar. Thank you, Cindy.
That was such a wonderful photo at just the right time last year. Thanks for sharing it again today. I wish you and all your followers a happy and healthy 2022!
Thank you, Mark.
I too remember the eagle. Great way to start off any year by photographing our national emblem especially when it is right in your neighborhood. Hope you are out there right now having early 2022 success.
Nope, I’m at home Everett. The clouds cleared out at the last minute but other things just didn’t work out. I’m still hoping to get out tomorrow morning.
This photo is even more than a “doozy” in my book– it’s the very definition
of REGAL………I’m hoping for the best this coming year for all of us, most
especially for the wildlife– I so appreciate seeing your “captures” each
morning– they remind me every day of what’s important in the world……
I like that you included wildlife in your New Year hopes and wishes. Thanks, Kris.
I wouldn’t wish a repeat of most anything from 2021 on anyone but that baldie shot – wow, wow, wow. Gorgeous. I can ònly hope you will get many more shots like that in 2022. All the best.
Thank you, Granny Pat.
Beautiful picture to start out the year. Happy New Year to you — let us hope 2022 is more positive. I look forward to another year of wonderful pictures, comments and learning new things. Thank You,
Much appreciated, Laurie.
Happy New Year, Ron and everyone else!
I remember that photo! 🙂 Beautiful mature Bald Eagle. Still amazing that it wasn’t blocked by umpteen twigs as they usually are here….. 😉
Male GHO talking this morning with only a slight squawk/screech as an answer – wonder what that’s about? -15 tho no wind at the moment – supposed to start a little later.
They did lift stage 1 fire restrictions here for New Years Eve. Fortunately, the one neighbor here that would set them off has moved….. 😉 I did have to watch the Sydney Harbor display this morning tho……. 🙂
Thanks, Judy. Actually this is a different photo, and a somewhat different pose, than the one I posted last year.
I’ve reached the point that I can’t appreciate fireworks of any kind, anywhere, under any conditions.
I agree about the fireworks. As a Viet Nam vet, fireworks are the last thing I care to hear. You have a great 2022. Your images give others inspiration to pursue photography and enjoying nature, and all it offers.
Stay safe, stay well
John, there are so many logical reasons why fireworks should be mostly or completely banned, especially in neighborhoods. Thanks for the good wishes.