The Okaloacoochee Slough Forest, where we walked last weekend, was a nice day-trip for us. It was a peaceful quiet forested area, mostly made up of slash pine trees.
We didn't see another soul the whole time we walked. The abundance of tall trees in that quiet place caused me to wonder out loud why the pair of bald eagles who nest near us on Bayshore Road picked such a busy location for their pine tree home instead of a quiet spot like this .
Of course I love being able to see the eagles on a regular basis (in real life as well as on the video cam), but it seems like they'd rather have a more private place to live.
But then Bill pointed out that there wasn't very much water in this forest ....it certainly wasn't arid, but the waters were shallow and ... well, slough-like.... bugs, probably snakes, maybe alligators (not the day we were there) but no big fish.
On the other hand, the Caloosahatchie River is the perfect place for eagles (and others) to look for food:
Since their nest on Bayshore is only about a mile from the River (as the eagle flies) it makes perfect sense that they'd pick that spot of real estate for their winter home, in spite of the noisy road. Our neighbor here is fishing from his dock at the end of our Canal, looking out toward the River. The eagles can sometimes be seen fishing in the same place.
For all of us, it's all about finding the nearest source of food.
FOR: OUR WORLD ON TUESDAY (hosted by the team of Sandy, Sylvia, Arija, Gattina, and Lady Fi) and Michelle's NATURE NOTES. Thank you lovely people!
Such a lovely place to walk!! Wonderful captures for the day, Sallie! I do love being able to look up at the skies through the trees! Hope you have a great week!
Posted by: sylviakirk | January 21, 2013 at 01:51 PM
Great post Sallie!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
Posted by: Boom & Gary | January 21, 2013 at 01:52 PM
Spot on Sallie.
Eagles and osprey certainly pick what we think is a strange nesting place, but you can be assured it will be close to water for food.
Tops of telegraph poles here seem to be popular and so open also! I guess they want to have open eyes for any predators?
Excellent report, Sallie.
Cheers
Colin (Brisbane. Australia)
Weather: It rained early this morning!!! Wonders never cease. Hopefully it also rained in the bush fire areas, certainly has plenty of areas to choose from at present.
Posted by: Colin Huggins | January 21, 2013 at 02:25 PM
wow pretty wooded area.
Posted by: Photo Cache | January 21, 2013 at 02:30 PM
What a beautiful area! Great photos as I can smell the pine scent right through the monitor!
Posted by: Wally | January 21, 2013 at 02:52 PM
What a beautiful area! I loved the whole experience!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
Posted by: Linda | January 21, 2013 at 03:09 PM
Magnificent photography of a very beautiful place ~
(A Creative Harbor) ^_^ on Blogger
Posted by: Carol and artmusedog ^_^ | January 21, 2013 at 03:48 PM
i can relate. i try to stay close to food, too. :)
Posted by: TexWisGirl | January 21, 2013 at 03:55 PM
What a magnificent forest Sallie. Great perspective in that second shot. The trees look soooo tall.
Posted by: Karen | January 21, 2013 at 04:16 PM
It was pure pleasure to visit this landscape through your blog. Thank you.
Posted by: SandyCarlson | January 21, 2013 at 06:43 PM
I often wonder why birds choose to make nests in some seemingly unlikely places, but I never considered proximity to food as a component. Makes sense! Love your shots of the trees and water. Sounds so peaceful; my kind of place for sure!
Posted by: Gail | January 21, 2013 at 07:55 PM
Meeting the basic needs of food, water and shelter since the beginning of life. I like that pine forest.
Posted by: Gaelyn | January 21, 2013 at 08:21 PM
That is pure bliss. Lovely pictures.
Posted by: ladyfi | January 21, 2013 at 08:28 PM
Thank you for taking us on your walk! Did you see the eagles?
Ah hour walk without seeing another soul, would be hard to find in CA:)
Posted by: Emille/Jesh StG | January 21, 2013 at 08:41 PM
Beautiful shots-and a lovely place for a walk!
Posted by: HAZEL | January 22, 2013 at 12:11 AM
lovely but those tall trees make my neck hurt!
Posted by: gerald | January 22, 2013 at 12:42 AM
What a beautiful place... and you have weather that I like too!
Mollyxxx
Posted by: Molly | January 22, 2013 at 01:22 AM
What a joy it must be to be able to see the eagles so easily as you take a walk.
Posted by: Fun60 | January 22, 2013 at 01:47 AM
Looks like a wonderful winter home for the eagles. Beautiful trees, what a lovely place for a walk. Thanks for sharing, Sallie. Have a happy week ahead!
Posted by: Eileen | January 22, 2013 at 01:52 AM
Isn't it great to walk in the forest with no one around except you and the trees and animals.Great shots of the tranquil place. It is funny that the eagles prefer their urban habitat.
Posted by: diane | January 22, 2013 at 02:07 AM
yes, it does look like a great place. :)
Posted by: NatureFootstep Photo | January 22, 2013 at 02:33 AM
Okaloacoochee Slough Forest is just the place for me!! Such a peaceful place.
Posted by: Reader Wil | January 22, 2013 at 03:13 AM
Love the look of the trees against the sky. Such peaceful pics!
Posted by: Dana | January 22, 2013 at 05:44 AM
Wow! fresh fish for dinner. How convenient to have food close to one's residence! :)
Posted by: eastcoastlife | January 22, 2013 at 06:45 AM
Looks so peaceful !
Posted by: Gattina | January 22, 2013 at 07:50 AM
AWWW the perfect spot for them! Ive checked it out a couple of times so COOL to see.
Posted by: Sondra | January 22, 2013 at 06:03 PM
Wow Sallie - those top two pictures made me feel like I was right there in the forest. I love all those branches backed by that intense blue sky.
Posted by: Margot | January 22, 2013 at 08:18 PM
Beautiful photos and so tranquil...
Posted by: Jennie | January 23, 2013 at 06:57 AM
Yesterday, I looked at the webcam and just saw the two eaglets. The first one oepened a large "mouth" and the second one was lying there. I was very afraid for them. Happily tonight, Mummy or Daddy is back, feading them !
Posted by: Annie | January 23, 2013 at 09:04 AM
Aw, that could be the reason why the eagles nested on that area, so they could just easily fish :D nice place and I would so love to see those tall trees.
Posted by: Prem | January 23, 2013 at 08:56 PM
That looks like a delightful place for a walk. I like to go places where there aren't many people.
Posted by: Carver | January 24, 2013 at 06:00 AM
Sounds like a perfect outing........
Posted by: Joe Todd | January 24, 2013 at 02:11 PM
Beautiful area Sallie..the birds pick out what they think is the best place.. I guess the eagles know where the closest fish market is... Michelle
Posted by: Rambling Woods | January 24, 2013 at 05:47 PM