End of an Era? Only Liberty Knows.

 

Source: FORE

From the draft folder - 

There are signs this year that our lovely lady eagle, Liberty, may not be laying eggs for the second year in a row. As she grows older, much like us, there comes a time when the season of procreation and raising our young ends.

Liberty and Guardian are still very much living their best lives. We continue to watch and cherish their beautiful love story, unfolding in its own time and way. I’ve been following Liberty’s journey for nearly twenty years now, even before I moved here - and it remains just as much a joy today as it was in the beginning. (And for those who may not know, Guardian is her third mate!) She has laid more than 43 eggs in her lifetime. 

Only Liberty knows if or when she will ever lay another egg. After all, she has lived more than twenty-six years, and she is, without question, the expert.

What still makes us smile is their enthusiasm for one another. They carry on without the slightest concern for who might be watching, a reminder that life continues in its own rhythms, unbothered and free.

Sunday, when walking through the area

When there are no eaglets to tend to, they usually remain near the nest until early to mid-June. Last year, they lingered until June 11 before heading off to their summer retreat. So for now, we are given the gift of a few more months to enjoy the remarkable presence of our beloved Redding eagles.

There is something about animals and wildlife that has always deeply touched my heart. I have never been able to watch anything where animals are harmed, nor even those  Humane Society commercials, without tears. Even if a movie ends happily, I just cannot endure watching it. So I don't anymore. Wearing my heart on my sleeve when it comes to animals has been part of me for as long as I can remember.

And over these past twenty years, what began as simply observing a pair of bald eagles has become something more. When our community gave them names, Liberty and Guardian, somehow they became not just eagles but familiar, known… and loved. 

Source: FORE

And that is why I feel a quiet ache when I think ahead to that Fall day… the one when Liberty may not return.

And yet, I am reminded:

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.” — Ecclesiastes 3:1

• This, too, is a season. 
• A season of watching. 
• A season of appreciating.
• A season of holding gently what was never really mine to keep.

And so, for now, I will keep looking up, grateful for every glimpse, every flight, every moment we are given.

Possible Snow, Blessings, and a Sacred Season Ahead

Flowering Quince 

 Well, hi there! I guess it’s been a few days. Time got away from me, so I thought I’d poke my head in to say hello. I have a few projects underway that have kept me focused and away from blogging.

Let’s see… what can I tell you?

We’re all doing well. I think I mentioned that Behold Israel sent us over $1,000 worth of books and materials to give to college students, at no cost. Along with hats, stickers, bracelets, and pamphlets, my husband has built a wonderful rapport with Beyond Israel. Now we’re looking to purchase a canopy and are even considering starting a small Bible and prayer group in our home for the college students.  Things are really opening up, and we are grateful to be a small part of what God is doing.

We celebrated Valentine’s Day with a simple brunch. Many places were packed, so we ended up somewhere without much atmosphere, but the omelets were delicious, and honestly, that’s what mattered most, as well as the company! 💕

Yesterday was our 24th wedding anniversary. The weather was rainy and cold, so no hike this time. We also forgot it was Presidents’ Day, which meant many of the antique stores were closed. Oh well, what are you going to do? We still enjoyed each other’s company and had a sweet day of reminiscing. We wandered through Tractor Supply and the Grange Co-op for spring inspiration, and yes… the baby chicks are in! 🐤🐥

☃☃☃

Apparently, we may even get some snow. February and March are our best chances for that last little hurrah of winter. Temperatures are dropping, and old man winter is breathing his chilly breath on us all. The difference between us and those of you who just endured a big freeze? We’re actually hoping for it! Since we usually enjoy mild weather, any dramatic change feels exciting.

I’ll believe it when I see it, though. I’m skeptical of weather reports. We follow two independent local meteorologists, and while they sometimes miss it, they’re usually far more accurate than the networks.

Here are a few photos from the last time it snowed—almost to the date, February 2023. 

That storm shut the city down, but it was so much fun. My husband finally got to use the snow shovel my sister gave us when they moved from Colorado. He was like a little boy out there, absolutely delighted. 

We had about six to eight inches, which is practically unheard of here.

It looks like she is smiling - I'm thinking it is her collar. Hard to see, since she is so black. 

She LOVES the white stuff, and when she sees it on the side of the road when we take a drive, she starts whimpering...

She loves the snow but hates the rain. 

The birds sure like the white stuff, too. 

Snow sure does dress things up, doesn't it? Makes everything so picture perfect. 

Thankfully, I keep a good stock of food, so we’re set. But of course, we were nearly out of toilet paper, so I had to make a quick run to the store. I went early this morning and did not notice any panic-buying. Californians are so laid back.  

But if we ever run out, we know where to go: Char keeps a six-month stash and still worries it isn’t enough. I remember my parents doing the same in their later years. Funny how that happens with people, and why toilet paper? 

Do you have a fear of running out of toilet paper? 

I just took these pictures, and it was sunny. 

Come on, now - how can they say we're getting snow? 

Earlier, we had a thunderstorm and hail. 

The back yard is soaked - weeds are popping up, and almond blossoms are getting bigger and are more pinkish. 

Right now, it’s 44 degrees, which is very cold for us, and we’re expected to drop another 10-15 degrees overnight. We might just wake up to snow. BSF is on standby, and many of our members live in the mountains, so we’ll see how that goes.

Yes, we’re a bunch of weather weenies.

Loquat season is here. The freeze won't hurt them - the lowest we get will only be in the 30's. 

The Pomegranate tree is starting to bud...

Liberty and Guardian are excited about the possibility of snow, too. They’re hardy birds and know how to hunker down. No eggs yet, but we’re patient.

Before I sign off, I’m going to take a short break from blogging. 

We have places to go and people to see. 

There’s a lot happening, and my mind and heart are elsewhere. This is always a very busy season for us, with Chinese New Year at the Joss House in Weaverville, my birthday the first week in March (72!), Daylight Savings, St. Patrick's Day, Palm Sunday, Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and then Easter and with family and old friends sprinkled within. While my faith tradition doesn’t follow a liturgical calendar, these seasons still invite reflection, gratitude, and renewal.

As we move toward Passover and Easter, my prayer is that we all pause to remember God’s faithfulness, His deliverance from sin, and the hope we have through redemption and resurrection. May your coming weeks be filled with peace, renewal, and quiet joy that will last 365 days instead of just 40 days! 

Lord willing, I’ll be back sometime after Easter with hopefully more blog fodder than I know what to do with. Then again, don't count on it because I might not. 

Have a blessed six weeks. I know I will.

Debby

💓Love is in the Air ~ 🥚 Egg Watch

 

It's February, and that means we're all watching and waiting for some eggs. 

It's day four of egg watch, and the excitement is definitely building. We're all on the edge of our seats, eagerly awaiting what's to come…🥚🥚

The incubation process usually lasts between 30 and 45 days. 

Liberty and Guardian have been getting ready for weeks - getting the nest built just right, and Liberty has been eating well.  

Liberty has been in the nest for 2 nights in a row while her mate, Guardian, tends to her every need, so it might be getting close. He brings her food. He instinctively perches himself close to the nest to protect her. When they see each other in the morning, they do what is called trilling, which is a form of communication and affection between the eagle pair.

They continue mating during this, but usually off camera. 😮

 

Birds do it, bees do it
Even educated fleas do it

All of this is normal behavior for Liberty and Guardian as they approach egg-laying.

They know what they're doing.

💓

Bald Eagles engage in an aerial courtship display, where they will fly together and lock talons mid-air, before falling towards the ground and releasing just before impact.

Spectacular if you are fortunate enough to witness this. 

Stay tuned...

Just a little this and that

Source: FORE

Guardian 

They’re back! 

Our Redding eagles 🦅 have arrived.  At this time of year, coming off their summer vacay in the high country, they're back home, cleaning up their nest - hauling in sticks to cozy up their love shack. This is where they will commence their mating rituals, and, well, you know... I never realized how passionate they could be! They really are the epitome of love birds. 

Egg laying won’t commence until late February through March.

Liberty returned to the nest for her first night - 

 Imagine, she comes into the nest and sees a mess! Probably wondering what the heck happened in here during her absence - the flurry of other birds and critters that have ventured into her nest - violating her carefully cultivated sanctuary. 

I know I wouldn't like it!

Without a doubt, her mate, Guardian, has quite the to-do list of 'honey do's' to tackle before the exciting journey of egg laying can begin!

Max the apple-head chihuahua

On Saturday, we attended "Civil War" days at a nearby park. They even had reenactments happening. It was my first experience with this. I’ll write about it in a couple of weeks. I still have a lot of posts and photos saved in my drafts. Just haven't found the time...

This adorable chihuahua was just the cutest. Although I'm usually a fan of larger dogs, this little fellow, Max, was incredibly soft, well-cared-for, and so affectionate. As a child, I had an apple head chihuahua named Sassy, whom I loved dearly. My sister and I would often dress her up. I recall she would bark quite a bit, was very protective, and was sassy.

No, this isn’t my latest picture - while taking our late afternoon stroll the other day,  we stumbled across a house that was adorned with an extravagant amount of Halloween decorations.

It's not really my preference, but it was fascinating to see all that they had and the lengths they went to for their decorations.

A unique fence - designed for establishing a graveyard. 

It’s funny to remember that my mom would stick up three cardboard cutouts of two jack-o'-lanterns and a witch! She used the same ones year after year. 

That was all there was to it, back then. 

Simple. 

I came across this information at BSF regarding Susie’s upcoming memorial. It has since been made public. I'm unsure if I will go. Events like these tend to make me quite emotional, and I prefer not to display those feelings in public. I'm sure it will be wonderful, featuring live Christian music and attendees from various places. Everyone cherished her.

I’ve added two more ladies to our BSF group, and that’s it. We meet in the Gym kitchen, and we’ve reached our limit. Too large a class, and we lose that intimacy. 

Our first winter storm is approaching this weekend. While we'll experience only rain, areas at 5000 feet and higher in elevation will see snowfall, which is typical. Both Mt Lassen and Mt Shasta are currently covered in snow. It's always a lovely view, typically seen in late September or October.

We really enjoy our rainy seasons up here! Following a long, scorching, dry summer, it's what rejuvenates our region after 7-8 months without rainfall. 

I'm planning to make some chili and bake. After this storm passes, we're looking at sunshine and mild temperatures until the next one comes in. 

There's magic happening on my backyard hill as the leaves of this tree start to transform. Meanwhile, the sweetgum trees in front of the house are still holding onto their green, waiting for their moment to shine. 

This tree is about to shed its leaves any moment now, likely right after this weekend's storm hits with the wind gusts. 

In the backyard, some flowers are still blooming. 

I never take them inside. I leave them there through the rainy season and will repot them in the spring. I've had this plant for several years now. 

My gerbera daisy always pleases me. 

A massive tomato plant is trying to choke out the Roses; however, we won't allow it to suffocate them. The tomato will get cut back.  The roses have been here for at least 25 years. They've endured more challenging times...

The last of the lavender for this year. It bloomed 3 times this year. 

Can you see the bee?

Yesterday, my husband went to the dentist about the tooth pain. So we're waiting on a referral to an Endodontist -  the nearest one that takes our insurance in Chico, about 50 miles from us.

When loyalty to country becomes loyalty to a lie, one teen risks everything to expose the truth. With the Gestapo closing in, he must decide what it really means to be a good German.

A couple of my friends from my BSF study recommended this movie, especially since we've been having discussions about persecution and suffering, so my husband and I decided to purchase tickets to watch it last night. It's a true story. Although we don't often go to the movies, we support films like these that educate and enlighten. 

Clem and Canary / Liberty and Guardian

Source: KRCR-Redding

From the article: 

CRESCENT CITY, Calif. — Two northern elephant seals, affectionately named Clem and Canary, were released back into the Pacific Ocean this week after completing rehabilitation at the Northcoast Marine Mammal Center.

Folks gathered to witness the pair make their way to the surf, with Clem briefly pausing to wait for Canary to catch up. Observers noted the seals appeared to share a moment of interaction before diving into the waves together.

Liberty and Guardian

Source: FORE (Friends of Redding Eagles) 

As nesting season comes to a close, the community bids a heartfelt farewell to our cherished Redding Eagles, Liberty and Guardian. With rising temperatures, they will embark on a journey to their cooler summer sanctuary in the mountains.

Did you know that for every 1,000 feet of elevation, the temperature drops 3-5 degrees?

This year, Liberty faced an unexpected challenge as she didn’t lay eggs for the first time. A severe storm and strong winds damaged her beloved nest, a home she had cherished for decades. Yet, she and her mate, Guardian, demonstrated resilience by building a new nest, one that the FORE crew hoped they would embrace. While they did adapt, experts believe the trauma of losing her home had an impact, resulting in no eggs this season. However, we were fortunate to witness their enduring bond, reminding us that love can endure even in the face of adversity.

They will, Lord willing, return in the Fall.

I didn't sleep as well as I usually do since my body was sore and I just couldn't get comfy! This morning, I checked for bruises, and fortunately, I had none. My knee that got fixed is a bit scuffed, but it’s all good. Today, I kept moving around because I know that staying active helps alleviate stiffness. I ran some errands, but I skipped the painting, and the day flew by fast. 

We picked up the Beast from the mechanic—it needed a new starter, and we ended up paying $515, but at least it wasn't worse. Now we need to start saving up for tires before the rainy season hits.

I hope you have a wonderful evening and a restful night. 

Debby

No Eggs this Year for Liberty and Guardian

 

Liberty, Redding’s beloved bald eagle, didn’t lay any eggs this year, a first in her nesting history!

It seems that the lack of eggs might be due to some events over the past year; the devastating loss of their 2 precious eaglets Luna & Sol,  last June, coupled with the loss of their longtime "Home"- their nest for 20 years that crashed to the ground during a violent storm on the evening of December 13th, 2024. 

Despite her challenges, wildlife experts are optimistic that Liberty will lay eggs again next year, thanks to her incredible resilience and ability to adapt.

Our eagle, Liberty has lived to the estimated age of 26, fought off Caltrans' efforts to kick her out of her nest, outlived two previous mates, and laid dozens of eggs that have hatched to increase the bald eagle population throughout the region. While she is 26, she still has many years left to produce more eaglets so it's not an "age thing."

A camera perched high in a Cottonwood tree streams live video on YouTube, offering viewers a wonderful glimpse into the exciting life of Liberty and her mate, Guardian at their nest. You never know what you might see — They might just have to consider marking the YouTube channel for "Mature Audience Only" 😊

Just last week, Guardian brought a little turtle up to the nest, and it was quite the moment! Liberty, didn’t see it at first. But then she noticed, took a step back, and got curious, giving the shell a few gentle pecks. Suddenly, the turtle made a daring leap out of the nest and scurried off into a thick patch of blackberry bushes! The locals here are always up for a good story, have affectionately named the little guy Lucky, and he was spotted enjoying his newfound freedom shortly after his escape.  The Weather Channel even picked up on the story. 

https://weather.com/science/nature/video/redding-california-eagles-scoop-up-turtle

Over the past 20 years, Liberty has usually laid two to three eggs, with the first ones appearing around the beginning of February. This year, though, that time came and went without any eggs. Days turned into weeks, and while briefly it was thought Liberty might be planning a late clutch, March has now passed, and it looks like no eggs this year. 

They're taking a break - 

maybe a second honeymoon? 

Watching those two eagles sitting side by side, playfully interacting like a couple of school kids in love, warms my heart. I'm a soft touch when it comes to wildlife, so I get tears when I watch them. Their amazing bond always makes me smile. 

For those of you who have been wondering about the absence of Eagle posts this year, now you know. 

There's always next year. 

Binge Watching Netflix on our Wedding Anniversary

I can't say I'm really sick—just a bit under the weather. Yesterday, I had a scratchy throat, but today it's gone. However, I woke up with a slightly annoying cough and some phlegm in my chest, which means I'll be sleeping propped up tonight! Ugh!

I'm not confined to bed; (more like confined to the sofa by choice)

I'm just taking it easy.

My husband feels better but still has a persistent cough and is a little weak.

To celebrate our anniversary, I plan to get takeout from our favorite taqueria. I hope that will awaken our senses and help clear our systems!

As long as I don't go downhill - I plan on still going to my Bible Study on Wednesday. I have no fever, chills, no shortness of breath, no wheezing - just a tickle in my throat that causes me to cough. I guess I have to take it day by day. 

Meanwhile:

We're binge-watching a couple of good shows (so far) on Netflix.

Night Agent - an Action, Drama, Conspiracy thriller

About a low-level agent with the FBI who is responsible for monitoring a phone during the night shift—typically a quiet time, as the phone rarely receives calls. However, an unexpected occurrence arises when the phone finally rings, prompting the agent to take necessary action.

Fire Country - An Action Drama

 A young convict with a difficult past seeks redemption and the possibility of reducing his prison sentence by participating in the California Conservation Camp Program. This program allows inmates to assist the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, commonly referred to as Cal Fire. The convict is assigned to a camp in his hometown in Far Northern California, where he collaborates with former peers, fellow inmates, and professional firefighters to address the significant wildfires that affect the region. 

So...

Source: FORE

This wedding anniversary promises to be one for the books - as we enjoy a cozy evening wrapped in our blankets, savoring hot tea, and eating takeout.

Marriage is a beautiful gift from God, offering us companionship, support, and joy. Ecclesiastes 9:9 reminds us to enjoy life with our spouse and appreciate the blessing of our shared journey together. 

Looking forward to good health! 

Debby