surprise sighting

[gary yankech]

I was driving into the Rouge to go for a hike, from the corner of my eye I spotted something big. I immediately did a power U-turn and found the spot so I could confirm what I seeing. Two Bald eagles perched up in a tree.  One decided it did not want its picture taken and flew off into the distance. The other hung around so I could take a few shots. I knew that the park had Bald Eagles but, this was the first I've seen of them.


Bald Eagle by Yankech gary, on Flickr


A majestic bird, I felt in awe of its presence.

[Shortsighted]

Nice find thanks to your exceptional peripheral vision. I always check out the bare branches when driving through Twyn Rivers looking for birds of prey but seldom spot any. Even if I did make a discovery, there is always someone on my tail so making a power turn is out of the question. Where in the Rouge did you see them? Do they make house calls? First Ally sees eagles and now you see a pair. Thanks for posting.

[Ally]

Majestic!

[gary yankech]

Nice find thanks to your exceptional peripheral vision. I always check out the bare branches when driving through Twyn Rivers looking for birds of prey but seldom spot any. Even if I did make a discovery, there is always someone on my tail so making a power turn is out of the question. Where in the Rouge did you see them? Do they make house calls? First Ally sees eagles and now you see a pair. Thanks for posting.

The pair was seen across from the zoo, on the east side of Meadowvale.  Luckily, no other vehicles were around.

[Shortsighted]

Yes, I know it well. So much so in fact that I almost recognize the perch that the eagle has chosen. I must be mistaken because recalling a perch among countless perches is just nuts. Still, it does look familiar. I have often seen RT hawks there and perhaps I saw one on that particular perch at some point in time. I can't imagine that you were expecting to see much when you arrived and well, don't that just make your day. I've also seen hawks and a harrier down close to the Beare wetland just down the roadway. Did you head down that road or did you trail it south of the building and past the observation deck? Have not been there is quite some time since I can't go out any more but it's close by and easy to get to. I wish that I could check-out the hill since that land and the accompanying man-made wetland offers enough open real estate to attract plenty of raptors and probably some of the same species often seen at Downsview. Even when I could occasionally head out, Downsview park is just too far away. 

[gary yankech]

Yes, I know it well. So much so in fact that I almost recognize the perch that the eagle has chosen. I must be mistaken because recalling a perch among countless perches is just nuts. Still, it does look familiar. I have often seen RT hawks there and perhaps I saw one on that particular perch at some point in time. I can't imagine that you were expecting to see much when you arrived and well, don't that just make your day. I've also seen hawks and a harrier down close to the Beare wetland just down the roadway. Did you head down that road or did you trail it south of the building and past the observation deck? Have not been there is quite some time since I can't go out any more but it's close by and easy to get to. I wish that I could check-out the hill since that land and the accompanying man-made wetland offers enough open real estate to attract plenty of raptors and probably some of the same species often seen at Downsview. Even when I could occasionally head out, Downsview park is just too far away.

Funny thing was....I was heading to the Vista trail to take photos of winter moss and lichen. The eagle was the highlight of the day....it was a bit too cold for moss, and no interesting lichen around. The only other decent raptor I have ever photographed in the Rouge was an American Kestrel at the Beare wetlands, near the train tracks....I did once get a grainy shot of Rough-legged Hawk hunting on the summit of the former landfill hill. I have seen a few Northern Harriers on Cedar Trail back when I was leading Rouge Park hikes. I no longer lead hikes for the park since it became RNUP. But for the most part, birds of prey have mostly eluded me in the Rouge. I haven't even seen an owl of any kind. Oddly, in the summer I often hear a Black-billed Cuckoo in the Beare wetlands, I know what tree it might be nesting in,  but I have not been able to get a glimpse or photo yet. Anyway, good luck with your birding in the Rouge!

[Dinusaur]

Great sighting indeed. It is good to see their numbers growing over the years. I wonder if they nest in that area - Rouge river must have enough fish to support them. Or may be the lake is another option for them.

[gary yankech]

Great sighting indeed. It is good to see their numbers growing over the years. I wonder if they nest in that area - Rouge river must have enough fish to support them. Or may be the lake is another option for them.

From what I heard...they do nest somewhere off Cedar Trail, but its location has been kept a secret. I have a guess where it might be, but I haven't yet spotted the nest. I'm assuming they fish off from the Lake, it's not that far way. The river is also good, suckers are plentiful in the spring, salmon in the fall.