What a joy to watch the eagles as they busily go about life along the Mississippi River.
“I have not yet lost a feeling of wonder, and of delight, that the delicate motion should reside in all the things around us, revealing itself only to him who looks for it.” ~Edmund Burke
Reelfoot Lake and the land along the Mississippi levee are favorite places to go for bird-watching. While some birds live there year-round, others migrate in and out at various times of the year, so you never know what you’re going to see. Here are some which were spotted between January and April.
“Expect nothing. Live frugally on surprise.” ~Alice Walker
It’s that time of the year when the eagles are taking turns sitting on the newly-laid eggs in their nest. This lucky pair has a perfect view overlooking life along the Mississippi River.
On flooded land near the levee we also spotted a Pied-billed Grebe, some American Coots, and a Great Blue Heron.
“I sat there and forgot and forgot, until what remained was the river that went by and I who watched …” ~Norman Mcclean
These photos of an immature Dickcissel were taken back in May along the Mississippi levee road. Though hard to see, the bird has a small, green insect in its beak.
“Youth ages, immaturity is outgrown, ignorance can be educated … but stupid lasts forever.” ~Aristophanes
We were excited to see a young eaglet sitting on the edge of a nest in a tree along the Mississippi River. A second eaglet could be seen lower in the nest, stretching its wings. Eventually one of the parents came back to the tree and sat in the shadow of a branch above them, dutifully keeping watch before settling back into the nest.
“I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble.” ~ Helen Keller
This white pelican looked very comfortable sitting quietly with his two turtle friends on a log along the levee.
“The best kind of friend is the kind you sit with, never say a word and walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you ever had.” ~Steven Wright
At this time of year, a drive around the flooded fields and woods surrounding the Mississippi levee never disappoints. It offers an opportunity to observe a variety of waterfowl and small birds.
“Birds are the most popular group in the animal kingdom. We feed them and tame them and think we know them. And yet they inhabit a world which is really rather mysterious.” ~David Attenborough
Flying among the tall grass along the levee were the red-winged blackbirds. Stopping to perch atop tall stems, the male, with his bright shoulder patches, would occasionally puff up his wings and belt out a loud song.
The female, the less showy of the two with her streaked brown feathers, was quieter and more likely to be overlooked.
“Blackbirds are the cellos of the deep farms.” ~Anne Stevenson
The landscape along the Mississippi levee was ablaze with the beautiful, vibrant colors of a variety of wildflowers this past weekend. No matter which direction you looked, the scenery was breathtaking.
“Spring is a whimsical wanderer, blooming beauty along her path”. ~Angie Weiland-Crosby
An eagle dutifully sitting in a nest along the Mississippi levee.
walking on a country road 