Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Early Winter

Early January and the temperatures are often cold with the ground covered with snow.  Bald Eagles may be found cruising the skies or silently perched in trees near the waters edge, either resting or patiently waiting for an unsuspecting fish to swim by.

Mature Bald Eagle Searching For Food
Mature Bald Eagle Resting In Tree By Water's Edge
Other wildlife such as elk may be found where food is readily available.  Animals prefer the sunny, south-facing slopes at this of year as the temperatures are warmer there and as a result snow cover is less making food more easily available.  These areas are often sheltered from the cold northwest winds, making living conditions much more comfortable.

Elk Spending A Cold Winter Day In A Sunny Area
A Stand Of Evergreens Help Shelter Elk From Winter Winds
Winter is often brutal and unpleasant, but there is still much of interest to be found in the great outdoors and while we can escape the elements to a certain extent, the creatures of the wild must endure whatever comes their way.

For more photographs, information, and discussion of nature in Pennsylvania's Elk Country be sure to visit Elk Scenic Drive on Facebook.  A special thanks to Marci Geise for launching this much needed forum.

Originally Posted at Pennsylvania Wildlife Photographer by Willard Hill

4 comments:

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Willard: As always I love your PA animal photos.

Ruth Hiebert said...

Those Eagles are so majestic.It seems like i catch my breath every time I see one.
Blessings,Ruth

V.L. Locey said...

Ah Willard, those shots of the bald eagle took my breath away!

Kritter Keeper at Farm Tails said...

totally neat willard! love the majestic eagles. we don't have them down here. thank you so much for your comment on my post last month. i enjoy your input! my bossy's boy has broken his hip i think but he is improving daily. i blogged about it...it breaks my heart to see him, but i managed to get some banamine in him a couple of times. now he is eating with the others and they leave him alone and do not try to hog the food as they do to eachother...very interesting to see their respect for him. his mother was close by the first time i saw him. poor things. none of my other bucks have returned and bandit, bossy's boy best friend didn't return either which is so sad. he has returned for two years now. all the little yearlings are gone and now i have bossy's boy and a new yearling that i do not recognize. hope you have a fantastic new year and happiness and good health are with you and your family.