Thursday, November 20, 2008

Sky Watch Friday

I took this weeks sky pics at Crex Meadows in October. I thought that this cloud pattern, stretching across the sky, was very intriguing.
I thought that this immature eagle soaring on an updraft was pretty intriguing also.

Eagles, as well as many other raptors, typically use thermal air currents, thermals, to help them fly with less effort. A thermal is created when warm air, which is heated by the ground, rises. The eagle will sit in this rising air and get a free ride high into the sky. Then they will soar from that altitude in the direction that they want to travel. Since they are already up high in the sky they do not have to do much but glide, which expends much less of their valuable energy. I have heard it said that for every mile that an eagle can climb up in a thermal, that they can travel 7 miles with out expending much energy.

30 comments:

Leedra said...

Last week I thought it was an immature eagle, but was not sure. For once you left me wondering, then you just said Eagle. I am glad I was right although I have never seen an immature in flight.

Anonymous said...

It is so hard to take bird shot that clear! Beautiful shots!~

Anonymous said...

So hard to get shots of birds in flight that aren't silhouettes... really nice lighting here.

Susan at Stony River said...

Lovely: thank you for sharing these, and for the interesting post about how eagles fly--this one's gorgeous!

Mary said...

What a beautiful shot of that eagle! Happy SWF. :)

Photo Cache said...

What a very informative text about the thermal and eagles. I am glad to learn that.

The cloud pattern is indeed interesting.

Kathleen McQueen Wright said...

I agree the bird is so clear!

Tanya Breese said...

Beautiful photos! Great shot of the eagle :) Happy skywatch!

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Eco: Those are two really neat capture. I love the Eagle on wing.

Carletta said...

Wow! That eagle image is amazing!
I thought the cloud patterns in the first one looked like huge bulldozer tracks. :)

Anonymous said...

Beautiful - both pictures. LOVE the clouds (always love clouds) and the bird in flight has me in awe. One day I want to be able to have a clear and gorgeous bird picture. Till then I'll just admire those on SWF!

Anonymous said...

We must be on a similar wavelength this week. I, too, posted an immature Bald Eagle for Sky Watch. :) I enjoyed your Blog. Keep on Exploring Your Nature.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful sky shots. I like the pattern you spotted in the first shot and there is nothing like an eagle stretching out against the sky.

Unknown said...

Get out of here! How cool is that?

Jane Hards Photography said...

Yoour birds in flight are always wonderful

Dawn Fine said...

Nice pics...I love that cloud pattern..

Anonymous said...

Beautiful capture Ecobirder! The eagle is magnificent! Looks like a two year old with all that white. Happy birding!

Scotty Graham said...

Nice!! Love the eagle!

Grammy said...

I love the Eagle in your photo. We had a bald Eagle swoop over our truck as we were driving this last spring. I was in aw. And wish I had my camera up and ready.
Happy swf

Rottlady of the Ozarks said...

Beautiful captures!

Anonymous said...

I agree that your cloud formation is intriguing. It looks like a "sheet" of lacy clouds. Very cool! :o)

The Good Life in Virginia said...

love the shot of the eagle...have a great weekend.

Mary said...

Wow...wonderful photos! I wish I could get close-ups of birds in flight that good!

troutbirder said...

Ah those closeups!! The tundra swans are really stacked up near Brownsville.

Mckay K said...

I love you eagle post and the pretty sky shots. The first one reminds me of a hammock.

Lilli & Nevada said...

Love the bird in flight, and that cloud looks like a tractor running in the sky

nina at Nature Remains. said...

And they look like they enjoy the ride.
Very nice.

angie {the arthur clan} said...

I love the cloud pattern in your sky photo. Beautiful!

Anonymous said...

That's impressive - a mile up on a thermal returns seven miles horizontally. No wonder birds love thermals!

great photos, thanks for skywatching with us.

Anonymous said...

You have a beautiful site. Absolutely stunning pictures. I am green with envy. You must own a really good camera. I only have a pocket digital so far but dream of a good proper camera. Perhaps I shall be awarded one of these days :)