Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Fly Like an Eagle, Slipping on a Step

Valdez Eagle

Today I verified something which I had read about the eagles in Valdez…that there is one guy who has a license to feed them in May and June, and he does so across the street from this RV Park over at the Bayside RV Park.  Not very many people have this license, and some say he is the last in Alaska with a license...but I cannot be sure about that.

Valdez Eagles

The Eagles anticipate the feeding, gathering in trees nearby.  Yesterday, with the cruddy weather, he did not seem to do a feeding.  He feeds them cut fish, what looks like the portion near the tail along with heads.  He does not seem to do it the same time each day, and it probably depends upon what time the catch comes in each day.  It looked to me like very few boat went out yesterday…but today was a bright sunny day, and the catch must have been good because he had lots of fish to feed them.

Valdez Eagles

It sure makes for good picture taking, that’s for sure.


Valdez Eagle        Valdez Eagle

Before they settle down in the trees, they fly all over the skies.  These targets are harder to get…but persistence and many bad pictures will produce a number of keepers.

Valdez Eagles

Today’s feeding show gathered two dozen people or so.  I counted at least 20 different eagles, and numerous seagulls.  The guy in blue to the left in the crowd is the feeder.










Valdez Eagles


Valdez Eagles








In the three pictures above, you can see the Eagle in the first picture headed for the fish part, in the second it is grabbing it, and in the third it is flying away with it clutched in its claw.   The bird on the ground is an immature Bald Eagle…there was two of them, both on the ground, for most of the feeding.  Sometimes the feeder tosses the fish up in the air, and an eagle will catch it before it hits the ground, but I could not get a picture of that.

Valdez Eagle

Sometimes even an adult will land and eat its share…but normally the adults will fly off and eat while they are flying.

Valdez Eagles

So that’s our story about “Flying like an Eagle”, now for the “Slipping on a Step” portion of our story…

Hosptial Emergency Room

Yes, one of us slipped and fell getting out of the motorhome yesterday on our way to do laundry.  Well, the hospital bed is empty, so that is pretty good news…

Marcia's hurt rotator

Yes, Marcia took a fall…put her foot down on our step, her foot slips right out and she falls on the steps on her butt…but it was her arm, which was holding onto the outside handle of the motorhome, that took the hurt.  She thought she might have torn a rotator cuff…but thank goodness the good doctor said that she probably just pulled it, perhaps a small tear.  They had a physical therapist come in and give her a crash course on exercising it out, and by 11 a.m. we were on our way back to the motorhome.  Sore, yes, butt it could have been worse (no, I did not misspell that word).

Valdez Eagle
- The End -

14 comments:

  1. OUCH!!! Marcia, I hope your arm and butt heal up real soon!! It shouldn't take long with all that beautiful scenery!!

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    1. Her butt really doesn't hurt, it is just her arm. However, it could have been worse if she had hurt her backside, but since she hung on, it was a safe landing...but it sure hurt her arm/shoulder.

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  3. So glad Marcia didn't get badly hurt!
    Great photos of the eagles!

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    1. It sure could have been worse. They decent medical services here despite the size of the town.

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  4. Gorgeous eagle photos:) So sorry to read about Marcia's fall. Glad all is okay to continue your trip:)

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    1. We move on later this morning. Glad it wasn't worse, going to miss seeing the eagles, but we hear that they will be in Seward and Homer too.

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  5. Sad to hear, Hope she can still enjoy the beautiful drive to Anchorage. The old volcano caldera you pass through should be very colorful in today's Sun. The cafe just west of there in known for their great homemade pies. Many Anchorage people drive there just for the grand views and pie. Then they drive back.
    Safe Travels.

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    1. We stopped in Glennallen again, so Anchorage drive will be tomorrow...and the weather looks good for Thursday too. We will be staying in the Palmer/Wasilla area, and not in Anchorage itself.

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  6. This weekend is Palmer Colony Days. They have classic car show on Friday I think and the antique tractor parade on Saturday. Sunday has more and the Antique Engine Museum near the Wasilla airport will be free and manned that day. We will go to that event, as many of the old engines run and one guy uses one to make ice cream. I like old Z engine and all the equipment.

    The reindeer farm is right next to the produce farm we go to to pick veggies later in the Summer. The best view of Denali is a short drive North to Willow and park by the lake. Weather forecast good until Saturday on news tonight. there is a very good Tex Mex restaurant is Wasilla called Hacienda, they have 4 sites now and keep the standards up. If you shop at safeway/Carrs the receipt normally has a two for one coupon on the back. Enjoy the area, lots to see.

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  7. That first picture is just too perfect. Glad Marcia didn't get hurt too badly. Easy enough to miss a step.

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    1. After 4 days, she is still very sore, but can move it more than before without any pain. It is going to take time, no doubt about that.

      And yes, that first Eagle is our favorite picture of the eagles. Without a tripod, one just has to shoot and shoot and shoot and hope that a few will turn out.

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  8. That first picture is just too perfect. Glad Marcia didn't get hurt too badly. Easy enough to miss a step.

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