This is a picture I took last year near Othello.
I wasn't able to get any bald eagle photos on
our recent trip because it was too dark.
Talking turkey
I wasn't able to get any bald eagle photos on
our recent trip because it was too dark.
Talking turkey
Last Saturday, we went along for the annual Bald Eagle Count at Northrup Canyon, led by Randy Hill, of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. There were nine of us there.
It was a gorgeous day – 50 degrees when Eric and I left Othello – so we were very comfortable sitting outside waiting for the eagles to begin showing up.
Eric and I got there about 3:30. The rest of the group had started out earlier in the morning and took a long route, stopping at several places to count other birds.
Northrup Canyon is just south of Grand Coulee Dam. Back in the day, there was a homestead in the canyon bottom. A few years ago, we followed the one-and-a-half mile trail to the site and looked at all the old buildings still standing.
If you take the upper trail, you will be walking along an old stagecoach road that ran from Almira to Bridgeport. It’s a tougher hike as the ascent is pretty steep.
Today, Northrup Canyon’s 3,000 acres are designated as a state park. They say at least 65 different species of birds live there, as well as deer, coyotes, bats and western rattlesnakes.
For our eagle count, we only had to walk about 100 yards to a viewing area. From that unique spot, you can watch the eagles soar into the canyon during the late afternoons in the winter.
I was hoping to get some photos, but by the time the eagles showed up, it was getting too dark.
By the time we left, our group had counted 18 bald eagles and two golden eagles.
There really is nothing like watching our majestic national bird. They are so graceful and look so regal.
The bald eagle was designated as our national bird in 1782 when the national seal was adopted. Benjamin Franklin, along with a few other men, was very much against the decision.
Franklin felt the eagle was a poor choice because of its bad moral character – the eagle had a habit of stealing food from other birds. He also claimed the eagle was a coward.
So what bird did he want to be our national symbol?
The bird with so much courage Franklin said could represent the new country was … the turkey.
Can you imagine? If he had his way, the turkey would probably be protected today and we’d be eating eagles at holiday meals instead.
Turkey noodle soup
It was a gorgeous day – 50 degrees when Eric and I left Othello – so we were very comfortable sitting outside waiting for the eagles to begin showing up.
Eric and I got there about 3:30. The rest of the group had started out earlier in the morning and took a long route, stopping at several places to count other birds.
Northrup Canyon is just south of Grand Coulee Dam. Back in the day, there was a homestead in the canyon bottom. A few years ago, we followed the one-and-a-half mile trail to the site and looked at all the old buildings still standing.
If you take the upper trail, you will be walking along an old stagecoach road that ran from Almira to Bridgeport. It’s a tougher hike as the ascent is pretty steep.
Today, Northrup Canyon’s 3,000 acres are designated as a state park. They say at least 65 different species of birds live there, as well as deer, coyotes, bats and western rattlesnakes.
For our eagle count, we only had to walk about 100 yards to a viewing area. From that unique spot, you can watch the eagles soar into the canyon during the late afternoons in the winter.
I was hoping to get some photos, but by the time the eagles showed up, it was getting too dark.
By the time we left, our group had counted 18 bald eagles and two golden eagles.
There really is nothing like watching our majestic national bird. They are so graceful and look so regal.
The bald eagle was designated as our national bird in 1782 when the national seal was adopted. Benjamin Franklin, along with a few other men, was very much against the decision.
Franklin felt the eagle was a poor choice because of its bad moral character – the eagle had a habit of stealing food from other birds. He also claimed the eagle was a coward.
So what bird did he want to be our national symbol?
The bird with so much courage Franklin said could represent the new country was … the turkey.
Can you imagine? If he had his way, the turkey would probably be protected today and we’d be eating eagles at holiday meals instead.
2 (14.5-ounce) cans chicken broth
3 cups water
1-3/4 cups sliced carrots
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 celery ribs, sliced
1 (12-ounce) package frozen egg noodles
3 cups chopped cooked turkey
1 (10-ounce) package frozen peas
2 (1-ounce) packages instant chicken gravy mix
1/2 cup cold water
In a large saucepan, bring the broth, water, carrots, onion and celery to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for four to six minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender. Add the noodles.
Simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes or until noodles are tender.
Stir in turkey and peas. Combine gravy mixes and cold water until smooth; stir into soup. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for two minutes or until thickened.
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