Breakfast with a Magestic Fellow

Happy Sunday, Everyone!

The other morning while I was driving home from work along the Great River Road I was keeping an eye out for Eagles. This is the time of year when they arrive to nest along our branch of the Mississippi River. I took my camera along with hopes of capturing at least one photo of the iconic bird that perches in this one tree close to the river. He (or she) is not in a nest, but out hunting and keeping an eye on the river and river bank, I suppose. Well, he wasn't there but I noticed a car pulled over on the opposite side of the highway. I turned around and pulled over and spotted this guy having his breakfast.

He has a huge fish in his grip and I now wish I had video of this but I was just too afraid to switch modes on my camera for fear of missing a good shot. I don't have anything fancy, just a Nikon Coolpix L810. It's just more or less a point and shoot, but it has a 26x zoom and quite a bit of great settings for a beginner. Eventually I would love a more professional camera, but I need to learn how to use it before I spend a lot of money on one.

I wasn't really sure if this was a male or female, so I went online last night and found some awesome YouTube videos from a live feed of Eagle watching. You can view the ones I watched to figure out this ones sex here and a very endearing one of a mama Eagle trying to feed her very independent three day old Eaglet here. But be careful...these amazing animals are addicting to watch!

Anyway, I thought this one was quite small when I was watching him, and believed him to be a young male. After watching the very good video above, I believe that to be the case. He's eating alone, too, not taking his prey to a nest, though I don't know if that even has any significance. Males are about 30% smaller than females, have brighter heads and more distinct eyes (or 'guy-liner' as the first video above will tell you). My camera zoom was maxed out, or I would have a much closer look...  

(you can click on the first picture and be taken to a gallery of the pics in this post and they are bigger)

Look at that! This was such an awesome experience. I know of a place nearby where a family has always nested for all the years that I've lived here. I've not checked this year yet, and I know my camera probably will not be able to zoom as close as I would like, but if I get that sweet little family, I'll be sure to post something about them!

These next two are blurry, he was moving so fast I didn't have time to focus. When he had enough fish (or maybe enough of our watching, perhaps) he took off out of that tree and flew right by us over the highway and out over the river. Now, that, I wish I really had on video!

I hope you liked this post, and it encourages you to go out into your own local environment. There is so much to see and learn from nature, as you'll find from the Eaglet video. It really is so sweet. If you have any Eagle watching experience or information to help enhance our viewing experience, please comment! I would love to hear from you!

Have a great rest of the weekend and a fabulous week!

Nanette

A breathtaking sunrise, and a trip to Cade's Cove

Well, since the weather cleared, the mountains were in full view. We woke up early so that we could see the sunrise, and get started on our adventure for the day to Cade's Cove.

Here, the sun makes it's entrance...

               I couldn't believe I was actually witnessing such a beautiful occurrence. It was one of the many highlights of our day.
         

Ok, so, we did go to the Pancake Pantry. I ordered the Black Walnut Orange pancakes. These were buttermilk pancakes covered in my favorite...black walnuts, and served with a little pot of orange syrup. No butter needed, so I left that on the side of the plate. They had powdered sugar and obviously made with love, because they were delish! Pancakes aren't complete without bacon, for me, anyway ;) And, of course, a cup of hot creamed tea. These were the best thing ever! And, no, there was NO way I could finish. Noah had the Spice pancakes. They tasted like Christmas morning, he said.

 On our way to Cade's cove, some people were pulled over taking pictures, and when I saw of what, I got one, too. I really am not sure what this bird is, but I'm thankful I could zoom in and capture it on camera.

    Then, this little guy scampered across the road...

Cade's Cove is one big loop of a road, one way. There are several places to stop and explore, views to take in, and churches to visit. Here are just a few to give you a taste of the little village that used to be inhabited.

Cade's Cove Primitive Baptist church. I took some photos of some of the tombstones here. They were well protected and roped off, as they were so old. Most were pre-civil war.

                                I thought this was most interesting...

                 One of many Daddy Long Legs visiting to cemetery, as well.

            As we moved on down the road, several people were stopped again to get pics of this majestic fellow. He was completely unperturbed.

The second church we visited.

I thought this was a great photo op, not crowded at all. I got quite a few pictures inside this church. I loved the colors and light spillage.

  A view from a parking area to the entrance of a hike to more houses.

This is the beginning of the hike to those houses.

While in the Smoky Mountains, I fell in love with moss. I have quite the collection of mossy logs, rocks, and bridges. I found it to be so magical and beautiful.

Here is a little bridge you had to cross a little stream to continue on to the house.

An old chicken coop

I love how all the primitive houses and buildings have large stones to level them out. The mountains provide for very un-level ground. You had to improvise way back then to build here.

 On another drive and short walk, we came upon this little village. It has a working Grist mill and several out buildings and very old farm equipment. I got some great ones of that for Smugmug.

The working grist mill. There was a man inside, you could actually purchase wheat and corn flour from him. He had it set up inside with examples of the types of grain and what the result of the milling was.

On our drive out of Cade's Cove, we happened upon one of the 'pull-overs'. There are designated parking areas so that you can get out and explore. This is one of the cascades in that area. There are so many of these around, you don't even have to hike.

                            Noah pointed out this little guy basking in the sun on the rock I was perched on while taking pictures.

    On our way out of the area, look what we found right on the side of the road. A posse of turkeys.

     They did not care about us at all...they must not know Thanksgiving is coming...(or maybe everyone around here eats Tofurkey?)

And, finally, back "home" again. Just look at that sun setting on the mountain. As beautiful an ending as it was a beginning.

Thanks so much for reading today. I hope you'll come back for more, because there is so much more to share!

Have a wonderful day!

Nanette

Pigeon Forge on Dwellable