[obol] Golden Eagle vs Canada Geese

[Kim Boddie]

This morning we were finishing up a 3 day raft trip on the N. Fork of the John Day River.  About 6 miles up from the town of Monument our lead raft swung toward the bank to observe a pair of Canada Geese with 4 young on the bank edge.  When they were about 50 feet away an adult Golden Eagle swooped down and landed where the goslings had been standing.  They hit the high grass.  Papa goose immediately attacked the Eagle and knocked it into the river.  He then jumped and flapped on top of the Eagle and pushed it under water as Mama Goose joined him.  The eagle finally got out from under the Geese and flopped toward the bank with both Geese in hot pursuit biting and jumping on him.  Our boat was about 50 yards behind and the noise and flapping wings from the scene was unbelievable.  As we drifted by the Eagle was slowly running up the hillside giving us and the gees dirty looks if an Eagle can give dirty looks.  He got pretty well beat up and didn't even try to take off.  the last we saw of him, he was still walking up hill shaking the water off his feathers.  Don't mess with Mamma and Papa Goose.

We saw thirteen Golden and two Bald Eagles on the 40 miles of river.

--kim boddie
Bend
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