*Bald Eagle Sightings

Hamonhaus Bald Eagle #3

Click the link above to see a photo of our most recent wood-carving of the Bald Eagle. It is 2/5 scale (32″ wing-spread).

So, to get back onto “topic”; I  recall that my personal first sighting of a Bald Eagle was in the 70s in Loveland, Ohio driving in a convertible with the whole family, with the top-down(we’ve had seven of them) in a wooded rural area. “Something” about 15-20 feet from the ground, in a tree at the edge of a field, caught the corner of my eye. It caused me to stop and turn my head to see what it was. The family was a-bit shaken at my driving and I told them to look at the Bald Eagle watching us from the tree. They saw it as it leaned, then flew low, then high across the field and away. It was stunning.

Once again, in Loveland, Ohio in the 70s, early in the morning, I was sitting on the front stoop of a friend’s house on Fallis Road, waiting for him to come-out to go play golf. There were woods most everywhere around his lovely ranch home. A Bald Eagle came from behind his home, low over his house and precisely over my head and into the woods across the road. I read later in the town newspaper that an Eagle’s nest had been seen in the woods along Fallis Road.

Over the years since then, we’ve had our share of Bald Eagle sightings in Florida and in Kentucky, as well.

A year or two ago, I saw a Bald Eagle fly directly across the Social Row Road, a mile from our home, here in Centerville, Ohio.  I’ve seen them fly over our house as well.

Yesterday, we were at “Scrambler’s” after church having lunch with friends. We were at a table facing out of the large window and across the street and the field beyond. I was facing in that direction while we were all talking. My eye doesn’t tend to miss much of anything to do with “birds”. I saw what I knew to be a Bald Eagle, just over 100 yards from where I was observing. It was flying (not soaring on the thermals) to and fro and not very high. I first determined that the wing-to-body-angles (dihedrals) were not a TV (Turkey Vulture) and that it’s “wing-flap” was not the 3-flaps & glide of a hawk. Then, on it’s turn, I glimpsed the white of the tail and head. A Bald Eagle. So, I mentioned it to my friends. The man with us said, “I’m an old briar and that’s not an Eagle”. His wife, who sat facing me, countered that she had also been watching the bird, over my shoulder in the reflection of the glass panel behind my seat. She said the she “knew it to be a Bald Eagle too” because she had also “glimpsed the white”. I simply said that I knew that he was a briar and also that the bird was an Eagle. He bought our lunch so, I guess the point was taken.

I look forward to recording the above in my brand-new Nature Source Bird Field Guide App on my NOOK Tablet.  Re: My Previous Posting on Field Guides  It features Life Lists that have “sightings” data entry. Bald Eagles are worth my time. You see, the wood-carving has led me irretrievably to this other hobby, “Bird Watching”.

Happy birding and carving,  Bill

Bald Eagle #3

*A Bald Eagle Swimming the Breast-stroke

It’s a "new one" on me; A Bald Eagle actually swimming the "breast-stroke" in Baton Rouge, LA.

I figger the Eagle’s just lucky a Gator didn’t join into his water-romp!

Happy birding and Carving,   Bill

Bald Eagle #3

*Eagle Scout Michael Ringle with His Hamonhaus Bald Eagle

We, along with his family and friends,  are very proud of our friend Michael Ringle on becoming an Eagle Scout.  How fitting that his parents chose to award him with this gift of a Bald Eagle woodcarving by us to commemorate his fine achievement.

*Q&A: Locating & Carving the Bald Eagle’s Covert Feathered Areas

Editor’s Note: All birds have feather-groups (areas) above and below where the tail-feathers are attached to the bird’s body. They slightly or marginally overlap that connection-point. Because the coverts hide that connection, they are called coverts or,”to hide”.  Elaine is carving her second Bald Eagle for her  second son who is to  soon-to-become  an Eagle Scout. Her first Bald Eagle was carved for her first son and given to him likewise at his induction ceremony as an Eagle Scout last year. Two Eagle Scouts and Two Eagles; makes sense to me! Now, particularly for those Eagle Carvers among us, on to today’s E-Mailed Inquiry about Eagle Carving from Elaine:

Original Question:

Hi Bill,

According to the book (Denny Roger’s “The Illustrated “Bald Eagle”),  “Maggi’s Bloomers” (Under-tail coverts) are small fluffy round feathers – page 17.  Are the feathers on the top back the same small round fluffy feathers.  I’m thinking not so much since we didn’t put in the bumps to promote fluffiness as on the underside.  Is the top side all the same type feathers down to where the tail is inserted?

I put 4 body bumps on the underside behind the legs.  That looks like too much space for all white small fluffy feathers.  So where do I start with the small feathers, perhaps the last two bumps?  The front two tiers with the large round ones?  The book does not show the top back very well since it is a closed winged bird.

Ever so much thanks,

Elaine

Bill’s Answer:

Hi Elaine: Your question is wise and well-based; insomuch as reference data/pics on the complete areas, above and below, the Eagles rear-body, covered by “coverts” are rarely  glimpsed. I feel we did a good job on our Eagles 2 & 3 on that score. The upper-tail coverts are white and extend on our 2/5S Eagle carving several inches from the base (not the tip) of the tail, to where the wings are attached. The forward edge of the upper and the lower covert-covered areas, also white, is sort-of “floating” meaning that it flexes slightly as the Eagle’s posture or flying stance contorts and adjusts. The under-tail coverts, also white, actually extend from the tail’s base to, and right at the rear edge of the legs. The area is sort-of shaped like the state of IL. , a blunted-V, narrowing towards the head of the  Eagle. Carefully examine length & shapes of all feathers in all areas, they differ significantly; even with-in the coverts.  Closely examine the references from feather-line to feather-line. We’ll sketch these in when next you’re here. Or, surprise me! It’s an urban-myth that this isn’t rocket science!  hehe…Thanks for asking…..B.

Happy birding and carving,  Bill

Bald Eagle #3

*A Basic Question Answered about Riffles on Feathers

Elaine’s Question: (Excerpted)

*1993 Bald Eagle #2 Project is Finished! Page 3

Since our last page was posted on this project, it has marched steadily forward.  Although I did a less than stellar job on a few of my photos, you’ll have an idea of the concluding projects steps.  Upon final completion (in the paint-department) The Eagle in question flew home to a worthy family who will care for it as the heirloom it has become.  One last explanation about Eagle #2 and Eagle #3; #2 was started back in 1993 and not completed until after Eagle #3 was much later started and completed.  Our woodcarvings are numbered at the time the bases are made and signed by us, not, when they are completed.  #2 was re-commenced this year because of a passing interest in an Eagle Carving made by close friends. I re-examined the dusty carving which was sitting on a shop-shelf among other dusty and nearly forgotten carvings.  It still looked good to me and so here we are, 17 years later; finished at last!.

Happy birding and carving,   Bill

Bald Eagle #3

Bald Eagle #2

Bald Eagle #2 Unpainted

Bald eagle #2 Unpainted

Bald Eagle #2 Painted

Bald Eagle #2 Painted

Bald Eagle #2 Painted

Bald Eagle #2 Painted

*1993 Eagle #2 Project Page 2

Bill & June, Wildfowl Artists

Well, I’ve been examining the 16 year-old remains of an “aborted” Bald Eagle #2 Project.  It was started in November, 1993 and roughed-out nicely.  I can’t even recall why or exactly when that I set-it on the shelf unfinished. As mentioned on the previous installment of this series, I assisted via teaching, the carving of another 1/4 scale Bald Eagle by Elaine Rasp.  As I’ve previously stated in this blog, Elaine’s Eagle  turned-out beautifully. It moved me to find my old-project on the shelf.  I’m now in the process of  picking-up where I left-off on Eagle #2  16 years ago.  Of course, Eagles # 1 & #3 are completed. consider #2 to be properly dusted-off and not worse for any wear. Following are the component parts of this Eagle as it exists today.  We’ll go back to these components as I pick them up and carve in future segments of this series. I hope you check-in from time-to-time. 

Walnut base with bottom section of carved-base affixed with screws & glue

Upper-section of carved-base with metal leg-rods inserted & glued

Upper & lowers sections of carved base dowelled & glued together

Two legs carved to fit on upper-carved base

Legs drilled & slid onto leg-rods

So far, so good!

Eagle's body has drilled leg-holes for the leg-rods & legs to fit into

Eagle's beak is carved open. A tongue will be inserted later

Top of tail includes the feather & quill lay-out

Bottom of tail has the feather & quill lay-out

All components assembled except the wings

Top & bottom views of wings & partial feather lay-out

This carving was last worked-on by me, when I was a  54 year-old  wannabee-bird-carver/teacher who had only been carving about 5 years at that time. I used the one & only Foredom Flexible -Shafted Grinder that was given to me by that very first class that I taught (a Bluejay) in 1988.  I was also using an Optima 2 Micro-Motor at that time.  As luck would have it, the Eagle #2 carving must now be completed by a 70 year-old  still-a-wannabee-carver using a much older (tho the same one)Foredom Flexible -Shafted Grinder and a pretty-old Foredom Micro-Motor.  Luckily, I have a few more techniques today to lay-on this bird than I had back in 1993!  I hope that you can check-back soon to see what I decide to do next to this bird. 

Happy birding and carving,   Bill 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*1993 Eagle #2 Project (Resumed) Page 1

Commenced project November, 1993

A dilemma of the Carving Teacher is his Class Schedule.  To prepare for the next class project, the teacher must sometimes set-his own carving aside in-order to prepare for the next scheduled project.  This is certainly true of this ol’ Carvingmeister.  I have shelves crowded with almost forgotten and half-completed bird-carvings. I harbor a confidence about them all that tells me that they will turn-out much better for their wait!  Hopefully, I tend to improve a-bit with each piece that I do.  The piece (Eagle #2, piece #82) in question today was commenced by me in November, 1993.  This  happens to be exactly one year after doing Eagle #1, piece #81 and exactly 14 years before doing Eagle #3, piece #149.  Both Eagles #1 and #3 have won 2-Blue Ribbons each for being 1st Place in their categories and 1-Red Ribbon each for being 2d.  So today, I’ve dusted-off the Eagle #2 and intend to pursue it’s completion starting NOW!  What better time to do so?  Our Winter Hiatus period is at hand and I’m a-bit inspired and motivated. Who knows when this “perfect-storm” might occur again?  The “inspired part partially comes from watching a student carve qtr-scaled Bald Eagles for sons who are Eagle Scouts.  She name is Elaine Rasp,  a member of the Cincinnati Carving Guild.  Her Eagle #1 is a “stunner” and her 2d is underway to arriving at the same or better level. I got to watch her progress as her teacher. So, back to my old/new project, Eagle #2; it’s also  qtr-scaled,open-winged Bald Eagle , standing 16″ tall. The walnut base is 9 3/4″ wide by 7″ deep. The Wings, tail  and feet will be carved.  Individual flight-feathers will not!  These and the glass eyes will be inserted.  You can follow it’s step-by-step progress on this blog under the categorie “Bill’s  Special  Projects”. As you may watch, your imput, comments, questions, suggestions, etc. are encouraged.  

 Happy birding and carving.

 

*Obviously why they’re called “Warbirds”

  This came from a gent who runs a 2000 acre corn farm up round Barron, WI not far from Oshkosh. He used to fly F-4Es and F-16s for the Guard and participated in the first Gulf War. Submitted for your enjoyment, and as a reminder that there are other great, magnificent flyers around besides us.  

Bill & June, Wildfowl Artists

A Great “Aviation” Story

I went out to plant corn for a bit to finish a field before tomorrow morning and witnessed The Great Battle. A Golden Eagle – big bird, about six foot wingspan – flew right in front of the tractor. It was being chased by three crows that were continually dive bombing it and pecking at it. The crows do this because the eagles rob their nests when they find them. At any rate, the eagle banked hard right in one evasive maneuver, and then landed in the field about 100 feet from the tractor. This eagle stood about 3 feet tall. The crows all landed too and took up positions around the eagle at 120 degrees apart, but kept their distance at about 20 feet from the big bird. The eagle would take a couple steps towards one of the crows and they’d hop backwards and forward to keep their distance. Then the reinforcement showed up.  I happened to spot the eagle’s mate hurtling down out of the sky at what appeared to be approximately Mach 1.5. Just before impact the eagle on the ground took flight, (obviously a coordinated tactic; probably pre-briefed) and the three crows which were watching the grounded eagle, also took flight thinking they were going to get in some more pecking on the big bird. The first crow being targeted by the diving eagle never stood a snowball’s chance in hell. There was a mid-air explosion of black feathers and that crow was done. The diving eagle then banked hard left in what had to be a 9G climbing turn, using the energy it had accumulated in the dive, and hit crow #2 less than two seconds later. Another crow dead. The grounded eagle, which was now airborne and had an altitude advantage on the remaining crow, which was streaking eastward in full burner, made a  short dive then banked hard right when the escaping crow tried to evade the hit. It didn’t work–crow #3 bit the dust at about 20 feet altitude. This aerial battle was better than any air show I’ve been to, including the war birds show at Oshkosh! The two eagles ripped the crows apart and ate them on the ground, and as I got closer and closer working my way across the field, I passed within 20 feet of one of them as it ate its catch. It stopped and looked at me as I went by and you could see in the look of that bird that it knew who’s Boss of  the Sky. What a beautiful bird! I love it. Not only did they kill their enemy, they ate them.  

IN GOD WE TRUST
Ray Allenton

 

Happy birding and carving,   Bill

 

*Sea Eagle vs. Sea Snake