Saturday, June 30, 2012

Miscellaneous Wildlife


During our trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains, we visited a wildlife sanctuary on Grandfather Mountain. The sanctuary is home to river otters, mountain lions, black bears, whitetail deer, and eagles. The Golden Eagle was injured by gunfire out West and had to have part of one wing amputated. He has been at the sanctuary since 1984 and they estimate his age to be 40 years plus. The resident Bald Eagle at the sanctuary died in 2010 at the age of 29.







Linking to Camera Critters


35 comments:

Linda said...

What gorgeous shots you have! Now I have to put this on my list of places to go when we head down the Parkway in August! I have spent some time around Grandfather Mountain, but never went to the top. I always enjoy going to the Wildlife Centers.

Carole M. said...

great to see each one; magnificent photos once again

Tammy said...

What gorgeous animals! The Mountain Lion is gorgeous and River Otters are some of my favorite critters to watch! Great shots Brian!

Stewart M said...

Great set of pictures - I just wish I could see some of these in the wild.

Cheers - Stewart M

Nancy said...

Great that they have a place to call home. Awesome shots, Brian.

Deb said...

what a cool place...great photos...we saw a young mountain line on the river bottoms here close to our home....

Anonymous said...

I didn't know eagles lived that long, he's almost my age! =0
Fantastic critter shots =)

Amy Burzese said...

Love these shots, Brian. Great place for the animals.

Amy Burzese said...

Love these shots, Brian. Great place for the animals.

Elizabeth Edwards said...

such great shots. like you can reach out & touch them. have a good weekend. (:

TexWisGirl said...

i love the golden eagle - even if he can't fly, he's still got that fierce look. and the bear has quite a tongue! :)

Andrea @ From The Sol said...

So beautiful, so sad that they can't run free, but wonderful that they have a place that provides quality of life. 40 is old for a Golden Eagle, even in captivity. They must be doing the right things for him. As always, your pictures are wonderful, Brian, Thanks

Andrea @ FRom the Sol

eileeninmd said...

Wonderful critters from your visit to the sanctuary. I do love the bear with its tongue sticking out. The Eagle is cool too. Love all these cute critters, thanks for sharing. Have a great weekend!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful captures! The otter is awfully cute!

Liam said...

I love the those photos! wonderful! :)

Cecilia Artista said...

Wonderful pictures from this sanctuary! It must a very nice and interesting place to visit!

Hootin Anni said...

GREAT photos....but I must be honest, that mountain lion just blew me away!!!!!!!

I'm a bit CRABBY today

Pia said...

You captured this beautiful animals so well....

Karen said...

Great shots! The otter is so cute!

Anni said...

I would love to spend time in that sanctuary. Fabulous images.

I'd Rather B Birdin' - Little Green Heron and More

Stop by if you find time. Happy Weekend wishes to you.

Leenie said...

Otters are some of my favorite creatures. They seem to have such a joy for life. Loved the bear-tongue shot. My California grandson really, really liked the snake photos you posted earlier.

darlin said...

Crystal clear, perfect shots of God's critters. I especially love the bear sticking his/her tongue out!

Have a wonderful weekend Brian, cheers.

Gail Dixon said...

You really got some amazing photos! Despite an amputated wing, the eagle still looks majestic and I love how the 2nd photo of him is framed by the orangey-green pine. All are truly beautiful, though.

Lindsjö taxar said...

Great pictures! The otter is big.Our province where I live, Småland has otter as county animal. Each province in Sweden has their animal. But I dont think we have lots of otters here.
Yes , we call them moose. I have been lucky to get some pictures of moose before in no rain :-)

Spare Parts and Pics said...

This is a great series of photos... so well captured!!

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Great that the eagle has a home. Wonderful photos again,

Gillian Olson said...

Wonderful shots, that is quite a picture of the bear with its tongue sticking out.

jeanlivingsimple said...

I haven't visited Grandfather Mountain since I was a kid.You make me want to go back.
Great photos of all the fine critters!

MTWaggin said...

Ahhh I adore otters, one of my all time favorite creatures to watch. Love the bear tongue! LOL

Linda said...

Love these, my favorite is the bear (big cuddly bear)...As always you do such a great job!

Roan said...

A very nice collection of critters. I especially like seeing the Golden Eagle and hearing it has lived so long. I didn't know any birds lived to that age.

barbara l. hale said...

Fantastic photos of these beautiful animals! I am a particular fan of otters who seem to know how to live life.

Debbie said...

just amazing. so glad i didn't miss this!!!

Alyssa Johnson said...

Awesome pictures, per your usual. The otters are great, as everyone else has mentioned! I'm in AK for the summer and have gotten to see some river AND sea otters gamboling around...they're awesome!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful shots of the animals at the sanctuary. The Golden Eagle, though grounded, is still magnificent!