I drifted to sleep last night thinking about Bald Eagles, their majesty and their recent vulnerability. It’s almost “the season” for them in Utah and there’s a new threat on the horizon so I knew this mornings post would be about them.
1/1250 f/8. ISO 500, Canon 40D, 500 f/4, not baited, set up or called in (though it was likely attracted by carp killed by refuge personnel)
This is an older image of an adult as it came in for a landing at a small Farmington pond. The pond is just below the bird and in front of the lightly frosted phragmites. The eagle had to drop very quickly after passing over the 7′ tall phrags in order to land at the water’s edge so it flared dramatically in the early morning sun. I do wish I’d had my teleconverter (tc) attached for a little better detail but I still liked the flight posture in this light.
Recently I promised my readers an update on the alarming Bald Eagle deaths that have been occurring in northern Utah. So far at least 20 eagles have died after suffering from head tremors, seizures and paralysis. Several possible causes have been considered and investigated including poisoning of various types (lead was suspected for a while), encephalitis (caused by West Nile virus) and even radiation from Japan’s Fukushima nuclear power plant meltdown. Some officials now suggest that the die-off may be related to the many thousands of Eared Grebes that have died from avian cholera near the Great Salt Lake, the eagles becoming sick from feeding on the grebes. So far officials are stymied as to a precise and verified cause. Dead birds have been sent to the National Wildlife Health Center in Madison, Wis. for necropsies and there’s hope that results will be available this week.
In the meantime, Idaho wildlife officials have now reported their own sick Bald Eagles. This of course suggests that some of our birds were already in deteriorating health when they arrived from the north.
There’s more here on this disturbing situation if you’re interested.
Ron
That is a stunning image, beautiful light and background too. And thank you again for keeping us posted on the sick and dying eagles.
The Utah DNR has release their findings as West Nile Virus as the cause of the Balds illness and deaths that they have been able to diagnose. Balds being involved with many members of their food web like all raptors run the risk of contaminated prey. WNV has been steadily expanding its range across North America. Commonly found in Corvids numerous raptors have also suffered. Many falconers have also lost birds. There are medications but they don’t always prove successful and of course are not normally administered to wild raptors.
Balds are common scavangers which increases the opportunities for contact with infected animals. (WNV can affect humans so care must be practiced.)
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/57336899-78/virus-nile-west-wildlife.html.csp
Bill
We have quite a few Baldies wintering on the Hudson River, a few are now year round residents. The most I’mve seen at any one time was 37. We’ve also had cases of West Nile, mainly in corvids (crowsand mainly on Long Island and coastal areas….I wonder how wide spread this problem is now and wonder how our Hudson River Eagles are doing. Our annual Eagle Fest is scheduled for Feb. 8th…I wonder if this problem will be addressed.
Patty: A gathering of Balds is called a “convocation” usually the result of spawning fish. There is little that can be done in cases of large numbers of infected prey being harvested by a large number of raptors. If infected birds are found early they might be rehab able but the symptoms take time to be visible (and the bird trappable) which often results in the condition not being reversible.
Bill
Bill-that image was startling, but very interesting…It gives such a clear view of the structure underneath all those facial feathers…thanks for providing it.
Beautiful picture Ron. We saw a young Bald Eagle the other day. It surprised us because they normally migrate over our area. This young one was sitting in a tree, would fly around and hunt, then flew to a pole. Unfortunately my pics didn’t turn out that well. Happy New Year!!
Beautiful shot! Nice detail in the way it seems like he’s hovering before he lands. Such a sad thing going on there. We had several baby eagles die last spring here in the Tampa bay area. I haven’t heard what they thought the cause was. I hope it doesn’t end up being widespread.
Beautiful photo of the Eagle. I also read from Raptor Rresource Project that some are thinking the grebes were sicked from the contaminated shrimp that they were eating to gain som fat on them. They think possibly the water got infected from the run off from a farm. Here is the rest of the article http://raptorresource.blogspot.com/2013/12/bald-eagle-deaths-in-utah.html
An interesting article, Debbie. All kinds of possibilities but I guess we’ll just have to see how it plays out.
I mourn the loss of the grebes,too…and am wondering, and worrying, that there may be more than one cause…probably all man-made, but if so, man reversible…I hope!!!
Well, it sure fooled me but you are correct; its right eye is actually in shadow below. Thanx.
That photo easily misleads the eye, John.
Heartbreaking. I really, really hope that a cause and a solution are found quickly. We cannot afford to lose any more. Any more eagles, any more species.
Maybe we’ll hear some good news on this soon, Elephant’s Child. Sure hope so.
I hope they find the reason and find some means to stop this death toll. Such beautiful and majestic bird.
Me too, Rima. Me too…
I read the other article, too, and it makes me very sad to know that those majestic birds are in such a bad way. I hope that someone can figure out the problem quickly and do something to alleviate it. When I have encountered bald eagles, it has been a moving experience. Thank you for updating us on the situation.
I’ll keep you posted of any new developments, Susan. Thank you.
Ron, I just checked the LA Times link you suggested and couldn’t help but notice the odd looking beak of the bird pictured. Is this possibly a mutation caused by radiation? There is no mentioned of this odd looking bill in the article. Thank you for your excellent work. –John
John, I had the same reaction to that photo, at first. But then I realized that the head of the eagle is turned to the side. Realizing that, it looks normal.
This is TERRIBLE news!!! I can only hope the cause of these terriBLE LSSES CAN be found soon…and reversed. I had a dream/vision on my hamblyeca a that involved eagles and have been extra concerned about them ever since. I can’t see how that image could possibly be any better. Beautiful….love the spread of the wings , fan of the tail and laser look of the eye.
Thanks very much, Patty.
Ron: Thanks for the post. Obviously very interested to see if the wildlife officials can figure out what’s going on. It is really sad to see this happening. Eagles are such magnificent birds. One of my favorite subjects to watch and photograph.
I know you had a great time with Alaskan eagles recently, Keith. An experience like that would make these birds extra special, I’m sure.
As always, glorious image, Ron. Yes, I heard about the eagles’ situation yesterday … very troubling. Please keep us posted if you hear anything new. Out here on the East Coast we’re less likely to be kept in the loop. Happy New Year to you and your loved ones … and to the Eagles!!!
Thanks, Lois. Once they determine a cause I’ll report back.