Near our house is a chicken
barn with crows and eagles
that hang out to wait for the
clean out days. It’s not
uncommon for the crows and
eagles to fight over the
carcasses of the chickens that
didn’t make it through the
system. A few body parts
are occasionally dropped by
accident in our yard…unpleasant
to clean up, but part of the
great circle of life.
The eagles are beautiful, majestic
and proud, but not so proud that they are above a little opportunistic swooping up of unsuspecting pets from their backyards.
The other morning we watched as first one, then three other eagles gathered in the dead tree across the street from us…I love them watching them. I noticed a new bird calling while I was outside, but thought nothing of it…I let Boo outside in the sunshine for a few minutes and went inside, he came in with me.
We got a phone call from our neighbour, “make sure your cat is inside, the eagles have crossed the street and are in the fir trees in our yards.”
Far away as they were, they could spot his little dog running around the backyard through all the trees, and one came swooping half way down the huge fir trees to examine him for lunch. These are full grown bald eagles, and while we doubt that they could carry off the rather rounded Boo, and slightly chunky Rocky the next door dog, I wouldn’t like to find out what damage they could do while trying.
The most disturbing thing is that Rocky was running the yard while his owner tried to catch him….and the birds were not worried about my neighbour at all.
Opportunistic, majestic, and looking for a easy meal, our pets are not going to be Eagle chow, so back off.
This diner is not open.
Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
It is like the scene in The Proposal when Sandra Bullock is trying to get the family dog from the eagle.
ReplyDeleteNature is awesome and scary all at the same time.
Hugs,
Meredith
Small pets are very vulnerable to such birds especially in the winter. I was worried about that cute little dog with a heart dangling from its neck. It is easy prey in a "dog-eat-dog" world!
ReplyDeletescary scary, I watch them take fish from the water as big as a cat, very strong ,
ReplyDeleteOh dear . . . careful please for that little one. We have to watch out for our little dog . . . we were out walking once as were some other people, Snickers was younger, more puppy sized, (less round than now) and the Great Dane broke away, came charging at her (we think the Dane thought she was a squirrel) and grabbed her, tossed her around, almost killed her. Trauma indeed . . . several punctures, emergency visit, paralyzed with fear, (me too.). She survived although it changed her bouncy personality big time. We watch out for the large hawks that swoop around here. It wouldn't take much!
ReplyDeleteSnickers was on a leash, as was the G Dane . . .
ReplyDeleteI have to worry about the coyotes in our area. I think my dog is too big, but it would be so scary if they gave it a try :-/
ReplyDeleteNature can be so cruel... many people think that foxes steal their cats/dogs, but foxes do not, it is usually the owls or eagles, a fact many people are unaware of! Take care for Boo! Cheers~
ReplyDeleteOh no how scary. We have a hawk we have to watch for with our little dog who only weighs five pounds. My neighbor nicely calls me too is she sees it.
ReplyDeleteNature can be cruel at times and other times beautiful.
ReplyDeleteIf one loves the dogs. Great exercise when you live in the country.
Go for a 20 minute walk with your pooch.That is what having a buddy is all about. If it is too early. Then get up a wee bit earlier. Life is sweet in the country. Cofee can wait or you throw it in a huge cup with the lid and take it out.
That is what country living is for.
Having a pooch it wil keep you fit as they need 3 times a day.
Away from pollution, city huzzle and buzzle. How lovely is that.
Oh yes, when Mr. Eagle is hungry, there is no stopping him. Even if they couldn't lift the dog off the ground those talons would kill it.
ReplyDeleteGlad that you and your neighbors keep eyes on the skies (and trees) for threats to your pets.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos ! Yes the Eagles and Hawks here have pegged a few of the feral cats that roam this area . Nature can both be cruel and kind ! Hope the pray birds keep away from your pets ! Have a good day !
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos of your wonderful pets and the lovely scenery! Keep safe.
ReplyDeleteAs humans encroach upon wildlife habitat, their pets become easy prey. My cats are indoor only for that reason. Coyotes and large raptors are the most common culprits.
ReplyDeleteWhen we had a cat we never let him out alone. We have eagles and owls in the area and have seen what they can do to other wildlife. It's good to be respectful of those who live in the wild.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the sunlight snow is majestic, Rocky and Boo steal the show today. Stay warm, Jen.
ReplyDeleteLove all the shots in today's post especially of your kitty cat. This is one of the reasons why my cats are indoor cats.
ReplyDeleteThat is very unnerving to know there are eagles around that could do such damage to a pet. I remember seeing a flock of turkey vultures eyeing our neighbour's dog one day when we were all outside talking. She soon scooped him up and the vultures move over greener pastures. Creepy. I love the last photo. Are those the eagles in the trees?
ReplyDeleteEagles are bums and will take a cat or a small dog..I think 25 to 30 pounds is the max weight they can carry. I had them eye a litter of my pups once..and an owl got a relatives cat once..it lost almost all of his ears..he was funny lookin the rest of his life.
ReplyDeleteI have no love for the Eagles:(
So nice of your neighbour to give you a call to warn you. Eagles could most certainly make a meal of poor Boo (which would devestate us all I think)
ReplyDeleteWe think something like that is what
ReplyDeletehappened to my Bonnie cat a few years ago. I'll never know.
Brenda
Oh my! Reminds me of the videos that have been circulating about birds of prey carrying off babies and toddlers. Turns out those have been fake, but I suppose lifting a small dog would be pretty easy for a large bird. Yikes!
ReplyDeleteI am afraid that if eagles are hanging around, I'd carefully watch my cats, especially after what some of your commenters write. Did you get photos of the eagles?
ReplyDeleteOoo - eagles! How amazing. Keep Boo safe.
ReplyDeleteLovely shots of the mountains.
OMG ............. Jen girl.........
ReplyDeleteIf ever there was a reason never to let the Booster out without YOU that is SO IT!
My heart was racing thinking this story was really going to have a bad ending ..
I had no idea you were close to anything like that .. drawing in large predatory birds that could very well snack on pets !!
Joy
What a beautiful view. Cold but sooo pretty.
ReplyDeleteOur domesticated pets are in danger no matter where we live. Around here it was the coyotes we had to worry about and sometimes the racoons. Those little masked bandits are not afraid of people at all.
You tell 'em, Jen! This is kind of funny in a gruesome sort of way. Maybe this is one reason why Ben Franklin was opposed to using eagles as the national bird of the USA - perhaps he was a dog or cat lover!
ReplyDeleteOh Jen! Close call! They are beautiful birds and they truly cannot tell a pet from prey, so it is up to us to protect our furkids. We had a lot of eagles and hawks in our old neighborhood. One day several years ago I was sitting in the backyard with the critters which included a large rabbit, Floppy, who we let loose in the yard for exercise. As I looked up an eagle made a dive at Floppy and pulled up just at the last second! I think he decided Floppy was a little too big on closer inspection. Thanks for reminding us to be watchful. Ann
ReplyDeleteI had a young hawk hit our 8 foot sliding glass door shortly after it was installed because the hawk was going for our cat that was sitting safely inside. The hawk hit the glass feet first because it was hunting so it was dazed for a minute or two but flew away when I attempted to assist it. I've also seen a hawk carrying a dead seagull that it had already beheaded. It could barely fly but it wasn't letting go of that kill. Our hawks aren't nearly as big as bald eagles so I can only imagine what the eagles are capable of taking down. It makes me shiver.
ReplyDeleteScary. Nice of your neighbour to give you the heads up. I worry about our little Luna when she starts spending more time outdoors in warmer weather. She'll have foxes, coyotes, owls, and hawks to dodge.
ReplyDeleteBirds of Prey and magnificent and scary at the same time. Our dogs are big enough that thankfully I never have to worry.
ReplyDeleteThat is exactly how I feel about the mountain lion and Ella!
ReplyDeleteI guess if they're hungry, they'll go for anything. I am intrigued about them all being there together. I would have loved to have seen them, but scared at the same time.
ReplyDeleteThere was another horrendous incident involving a fox attacking a baby in the baby's home in London last week. I suppose that hunger makes animals more desperate and more daring, which can lead to absolutely shocking, awful outcomes.