During a transition between open water and freeze-up, various waterfowl were gathered in open patches of water. When a Bald Eagle landed near the top of a large Ash tree, many of the ducks took off and left. But the waterfowl that were near shore or under the big tree did not leave. Oddly, many of the ducks and geese appeared calm. Some geese actually put their necks and heads under water to feed. It must be that they somehow understood that as long as they were directly underneath a perched Eagle that they were safe? Or that they sensed that the juvenile Eagle was no threat? Eventually the Eagle flew away heading up the lake. To cap off a surreal morning, a Red Fox appeared and trotted right by the waterfowl and underneath the Eagle! There was no reaction from the waterfowl or Eagle. Unfortunately, the Red Fox was suffering from mange.
(Photographed November 17, 2022, Emily Township, City of Kawartha Lakes, Ontario, Canada)