In search of the Bald Eagle

Ever since I joined a birding group on Facebook, I became aware of a lot of birds in the area. I would get a general idea where I could go looking for special birds, and it was always fascinating finding them in fields, in thickets and on the coast.

I had heard about Bald Eagles visiting the area for breeding. People would share sightings and I would get very excited, but I didn't get to see one for a long time. Almost two years, to be precise! Many birding trips ended in disappointment. I even ran after a Crested Caracara across a field once thinking it was an eagle! Looking back, it's hilarious! However, these trips led to lifers, the first time sighting of many different birds, so not really disappointing after all!

The Crested Caracara is a beautiful bird, and it is commonly found in Texas! The first time I saw one was three years ago while driving around the countryside. It landed on a tree very close to where I was standing.

Then it saw me and took off. I did not know what it was called back then, but it was exciting to see this large bird!

After that, I ran into it several times. The black mop of 'hair', as I like to call it, on the top if its head, is its distinguishing feature. Looks like a wig, several people said in jest on the birding group. 

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Then there was the Osprey, another large bird! I was looking out for it when we were driving in Florida and Alabama, but I never got to see it, and then the first time I saw it was at Galveston, Texas!

On a birding visit to a local park, where I had never seen the Osprey before, yielded this surprise one beautiful day in January last year! Caught on camera with its snack, a large fish!

This is a picture where it looked directly at me as it flew overhead to a secure location to enjoy its meal.

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In February this year, while on a birding trip to another local park with a friend, I finally managed to see a bald eagle flying high above! I knew it was an eagle because of the zoom feature on my camera. I wasn't very satisfied though, and wished it had gotten a little closer for a better sighting. Severely cropped, this is the picture I took that day. It was visiting the park with a juvenile, but I could not manage a decent picture of the juvenile.

After reading about sightings at a nearby park, last Sunday I decided to take another chance. However, I got to the park at a later hour than when most people had seen it. I saw some cormorants feeding on fish, and some egrets, but the eagle was nowhere to be seen. I thought I saw a large bird being chased by some terns, but I dismissed it as a vulture. As I was eyeing some coots in the vicinity, their behavior seemed to change and they seemed to huddle together near the bank. Looking up, I saw a large black bird settle on some pines about two hundred feet away from where I was standing. My heart raced and I started to run towards those trees. Then I decided to slow down, it was not a warbler to keep hopping from branch to branch. If it was what I thought it was, it was the real deal! It would stay put on the tree for a while! 

So I got the tree patch and looked up in the general direction of where I had seen the bird land. And there it was! I simply couldn't stop smiling! What a majestic bird!

How long had I waited to see this beauty!

A bird of prey, and what a handsome one! This one seems to be a juvenile, because of the light brown patch on its head.

At one point, it looked directly at me, and then it seemed intrigued with my camera lens. Nothing was going to scare it though, and it sat there basking in all attention it was getting from a few people who seemed to notice it.

Finally, 'bald eagle' was checked off my list! I saw it, and what a memorable sighting An absolutely beautiful bird!

Growing Lettuce

It was the first time I was going to try growing lettuce. I had Romaine Lettuce seeds, Parris Island Cos- an heirloom variety. I planted some around mid-February.

Once these seeds were in the ground, within a week, I could see little specks of green, signs that assure you that there is hope. Young seedlings bring hope with them. Of nicer things to come.

The plants continued to grow, and the luscious green color promised great flavor in the near future!

There was some Thai Basil growing in this bed last year, and it has made sure a lot of seeds were dispersed in the vicinity. I have so many young Thai Basil seedlings growing! They add great flavor to a host of dishes, salads, and curries!

I thought I had spaced them apart decently, but I think there was still a little bit of crowding. You learn from experience, and I plan to do a better job next year.

Cilantro was growing beside the lettuce and both seemed to have thrived being companions.

Fresh cilantro and lettuce, with at least three Thai Basil seedlings alongside, and a weed.

The early morning sun has this golden hue that makes everything look so fresh and dewy!

Another look at the bed with lettuce heads growing and glowing in the morning sun! They were so sweet and crisp in salads. I am so glad that the lettuce story is a success this year.

Cilantro greens

In January, I planted Cilantro seeds I had collected from last years crop. I used a planter for these so I could carry it inside if it got too cold.

The seeds sprouted and were growing very slowly. Then when the freeze threatened, I was outside covering all the young plants, carrots and sweet peas. I noticed some weeds growing in an adjacent raised bed. I didn't pull them out knowing the freeze would take care of them.

Three days later, when I was taking off the covers from the beds, I realized those 'weeds' were looking as fresh as ever! On inspection, I realized they were young cilantro plants that had sprouted on their own from seeds that had fallen off last year! They are called volunteers. Volunteers grow on their own.
Lesson learnt- cilantro did not need protection from a freeze. In fact, they thrived. This picture was taken in January.

I got my little seedlings out from their starter pots and put them in the ground beside the 'volunteers'. They were all growing well, but the volunteers seemed to have an edge over the others. They appeared more robust. This picture was taken in February.

It was such a pleasure to pluck fresh cilantro! These leaves were used in chutneys and as a garnish for salads, vegetables sides and other dishes.

The plants were now growing taller and some appeared ready to flower. This picture was taken in March.

There were a lot of flowers and I have seen some pretty butterflies around them. Soon there will be seeds and the cycle will be complete.

Against a partly cloudy sky, the Compound Umbel Inflorescence of cilantro/coriander is clearly seen.

Seeds were forming alongside blooming flowers from older inflorescence. The seeds will eventually dry out, and can be stored. These pictures are taken in April.

 A single Umbel inflorescence head with seeds.

Dry cilantro/coriander seeds. These can be used as a spice, and to start plants in winter. Coriander seed powder is used in various cuisines around the world.

More raised beds made with cedar pickets

Spring is a busy time in the yard. We decided it would be good to add some more raised beds to our backyard. There was some narrow space along the side of the house, so some narrow beds would work just fine. We decided to use cedar pickets again. Last year, I had posted about cedar picket raised beds here.

Here is what one bed looked like. It is a narrow bed, just about 15 inches wide.

We got twelve pickets, each was eight feet in length. They were each cut into two pieces, a smaller piece was 15 inches long, and the remaining picket was 6 feet and 9 inches long.
Again, we got an eight feet long 2 by 2 cedar cut into 1 foot pieces to use as stakes.

We built three such beds, from 12 pickets. Each bed had an area of about 8 and a half square feet. The depth of each bed is about 10 and a half inches.

Lining them up against the fence, I first put cardboard on the grass. Then I added cow manure compost, before adding gardening soil and mixing it up. Some Perlite was added to the mix. Adding Perlite helps keep the soil loose and well aerated.

I have added an area of about 25 square feet to my gardening space. I will keep you updated about what grows in them!