Last weekend was an adventure. From New Orleans, drove to Abita Springs to check out an eagle nest that a friend had confirmed existed… however, it didn’t – the snag the nest was in blew down during Hurricane Gustav! However, there was a Nature Conservancy office, and Tom there was very helpful and told us about a nest at White Kitchen… drove to White Kitchen. I could see the nest, and have a few photos of distant eagles; the nest was about a 1/4 mile away from the closest viewing site. While there, quite a few local birders were visiting trying to spot the eagles as well, and one mentioned Fontainebleu State Park – most of the way back to Abita Springs. Went back… and I’m really glad! The eagle nest there is about 500 yards from the viewing area, although my pictures aren’t fantastic I can see an “eagle eye” or two. (I’m working on improving photographic technique still ya know.)
The other big treat was a nesting Great Horned Owl. Two babies in the nest, although one I never did get a real clear view of – it was facing the opposite way and often all I could see was its movements. If you haven’t seen a baby great horned owl before (a first for me too!), it looks like a dirty gray snowball! 
Anyway, pics (bonuses today, not just one image!):
two Bald Eagles, White Kitchen Preserve, White Kitchen, LA, 2009-Feb-07
Bald Eagle, Fontainebleau State Park, Mandeville, LA, 2009-Feb-07
Great Horned Owl, Fontainebleau State Park, Mandeville, LA, 2009-Feb-07
Great Horned Owl sleeping, Fontainebleau State Park, Mandeville, LA, 2009-Feb-07
Great Horned Owl baby, Fontainebleau State Park, Mandeville, LA, 2009-Feb-07
All photos © Amy Friends Stone and all rights reserved.
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