Date: 11/20/24 3:45 pm From: Patty McLean <000008e6fff5e5c8-dmarc-request...> Subject: Dark and Light Things at Atkins Bottoms
We went to Atkins Bottoms this morning and WOW. Huge numbers of blackbirds were swarming, feeding in the fields and sitting in trees...by the thousands...with Red-tailed Hawks and falcons in hot pursuit. We found the Prairie Falcon nearby, sitting in the field south of the paved section of Atkins Bottom Rd. A young and dark eagle flew by, underneath a large flock of Turkey Vultures, which gave us a short-lived moment of hope for something golden but, a picture is worth a thousand words, and it turned out to be a young Bald Eagle. Its parents were nearby, seemingly checking out an area either for dining or nesting. We also found the Harlan's Hawk perched nearby. There weren't any ducks or geese in the rice fields but, on our way out, the two banded Trumpeter Swans flew across the road in front of us. A nice way to end our outing.Patty McLean and Michael Linz The Roadrunners
