Eagle's Nest Trip

"Eye of newt, and toe of frog,
Wool of bat, and tongue of dog,"
                -Shakespeare

Green frog- unaltered photo

The Master Naturalist field trip to the Schanda's to see the young eagles in their nest was a huge success.  If Macbeth's three witches had been there they could have scored three ingredients for their potion.

We were greeted by Nancy who led us to a water feature in the front yard.  It was guarded by a handsome green frog (Lithobates clamitans) that sat patiently still for pictures.   The unaltered picture to the right looks like Hammons had been practicing his dental extraction on it.  I cannot otherwise explain the color pattern on its jaw.

How a green frog found this scenic spot high up on a rocky Ozark hillside above Lake Taneycomo, I will never know.  With the water garden and lush green lawn fertilized by an advanced septic system, it should have plenty to eat.

Next we were ushered into the kitchen, bypassing the goodies to get to the deck.  There a spotting scope was focused on the eagle nest with its three young dark eagles and a regal looking adult.  It was out of camera range so you will have to take my word for it.

Hammons led us to the lower level where there were bats sleeping beneath the floor of their deck.  They were hanging between boards 14 feet up in a dark area so I couldn't tell if they had any wool.  They did leave a nice layer of guano on the ground, an odorous habit that will soon lead to their eviction.

Bats picture taken from below

 And the third element of the potion listed above?  If the grand kids' Labrador retriever continues to shed, I don't know about its tongue but the rest of it is in real trouble.