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Posted by Jeff Weber on 14:36:28 11/24/07
While observing the birds at Cutler Wetlands this morning, I was surprised to see perhaps 2,000 Laughing Gulls swap water for air in an instant (this made quite a noise, as you can imagine). The cause soon showed itself to be an adult bald eagle, which circled the Wetlands slowly before disappearing west over the apartments. A few minutes later, this bird was replaced by an immature Bald Eagle that circled twice then slowly floated downward with its legs extended. This was not a stoop, but a purposeful descent that ended when, with the greatest insouciance, it plucked a Pied-billed Grebe from the water with a fast backward swing of its talons. Like the first, this eagle disappeared northward over the apartments, carrying its prize.
I tried, but couldn't find the Spectacled Caiman well-photogrpahed by Larry Manfredi in the small lake just east of the Wetlands. There were lots of Roseate Spoonbills, by the way, in the Wetlands section just west of this lake.
Driving through the Redlands on the way home, I found a Western Kingbird and several Scissor-tailed Flycatchers at Campbell Drive (SW 312th St.) and SW 214 Ave (thanks, Tricia).
Last sighting of the morning was a flock of six Black-hooded Parakeets on the wires along SW 152nd St. just west of SW 137th Ave.
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