Stumbled across a hand full of cooperative Gray Partridge foraging for food. They are also referred to as Hungarian Partridge or Huns
Most times they don’t let you get too close before they take to flight. They blend in extremely well in fields and grasslands and search together year-round for food.
They must have been more focused on finding food than me driving up and permitted a few shots.
All reports indicated a storm was looming…it was time to check out recent Snowy Owl sightings that had been reported.
Unfortunately no Snowy Owls spotted.
While searching I did spot something of interest way down the road…not expecting to see a Bald Eagle on the road side.
How close could I get before it took off was the first thought…a few photos then moving closer, more shot and moved closer.
Suddenly realizing that the bird had an injured wing and unable to fly…now what ?
I don’t have a blanket, gloves or a box…I could use my jacket to wrap it in…but then how do a I drive and hold an Eagle at the same time ?
One thing was certain I wasn’t about to leave it there.
Long story short…Lisa from Prairie Wildlife was on her way to my location with a volunteer to pick up the Eagle.
There I sat on the side of a back road babysitting an Eagle…you just never know how your day will turn out.
I did what I could but unfortunately the Eagle had to be put down.
Sometimes things just don’t turn out the way you would like then too and you have to take the bad with the good.
Now into November and thoughts have already started to shift to the Winter Owl Season.
Great Grays being at the top of the list but likely not till Dec/Jan and hopefully with lots of snow.
Mid Nov on should bring the first sightings of Snowy Owls…the last couple years hasn’t found near the numbers compared to years past.
Hopefully Mother Nature will be kind and provide plenty of opportunities…time will tell.