Very large numbers of Bald Eagles winter in Utah but only a handful of mated pairs (up to about a dozen) are known to stick around and spend the breeding season here. All the rest breed up north. Which is why I was very surprised to find at least four Bald Eagles yesterday in the west desert.
The first Bald Eagles I saw yesterday morning were buried in a large tree nearly a quarter of a mile away. I saw at least three of them in the tree and flying around it but they were calling to each other and it sounded like there may have been more than just the three I could see.
At least one of them, this one, was an adult and I saw an immature bird in flight close to the tree.
I tried to watch them through my lens for a while but most of the time I could barely see any of them so eventually I continued on down the remote dirt/gravel road to look for other birds. But a few minutes later I turned around and came back, on the off chance that one or more of the eagles would come closer to the road.
I got lucky.
1/6400, f/5.6, ISO 640, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
One eagle, an immature bird, was perched at the top of a cliff close to the road and in good light. This bird had probably been there the entire time but while I was driving the other way it would have been nearly impossible for me to see it.
1/5000, f/5.6, ISO 500, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
I cropped this photo as I have in an attempt to show as best I could that this bird was perched very near to the top of a steep cliff. Below the plant at lower left, the cliff drops off vertically.
1/5000, f/5.6, ISO 500, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
When ‘he’ eventually took off…
1/5000, f/5.6, ISO 500, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
most of my early flight shots didn’t include a catch light in his eye. But six photos after this one…
1/4000, f/5.6, ISO 500, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
I began to get light in his eye as he…
1/5000, f/5.6, ISO 500, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
began to drop over the edge of the cliff. I got quite a few more flight shots after this one but most of them were just a hair soft, so I’m not including any of them.
I found these birds in an area where I often see Bald Eagles in midwinter, but it isn’t hyperbole to say that I was shocked to find them there yesterday, the first day of fall. With birds you just never know.
Ron
Excellent Ron – looks like just into 2nd year. We will start to see our visiting eagles later in October. Your guy could be from here. Ours almost always head north when summer comes. He or she is a handsome eagle.
Thanks, Everett.
Beautiful photos Ron. I’m glad you went back for a second look. I really like that last photo.
Thank you, Bill.
Unexpected but a real treat. For you and for us.
Thanks, EC.
Wow! Bald Eagles on the Autumnal Equinox! Some people have all the luck (and skill to take such wonderful shots)! 😀
I especially like the 5th shot in your blog. There’s something so powerful about all the curves and angles of his wings, body, and tail. I like the “head on” nature of the shot, even though his head is slightly turned — and those huge primaries. Fan-freakin’-tastic!
I’m glad you like #5, Marty. Maybe I should have posted more of those catchlight-less photos. Several of them were pretty good.
There’s always tomorrow! 😃
Ron. I have a question to ask when an immature bald eagle matured do the feathers on their head tail just turn white or do they lose those feathers and then they were replaced by new feathers that have the white coloration
Steven, typically they’re replaced by feathers of a different color, although in some species feather color can change slightly as the feathers wear. “Wearing to dark” etc.
I think we’re going to have an early fall and an early winter the migration will happen early and they’re here on the Flyway anticipation of abundant prey
Interesting! I thought young eagles went off on their own and that was that. I’m glad you happened to see them. There’s always more to learn. Thanks, Ron.
“I thought young eagles went off on their own.”
They do, Ellen. Fledglings break ties with their parents at about 20 weeks so if they are a family group the youngsters are probably about ready to be completely independent.
Great shots. There has been a nest up there, it is on private property, and cordon off by the DNR with sensative wildlife area signs. I first noticed it in 2020. I don’t go up often anymore but the times I have the adults have been on the nest. I only have images of white heads sitting on the nest or perched in the tree by the nest. It is not close to the road. It’s great to see they had two young this year fledge!
April, I’ve never seen that nest. Or seen the eagles in summer that I recall – including this summer and I’ve been there a lot. But then, my eyes aren’t the best…
Wow! The 4th and 6th shots of the juvie are powerful. It must be so exciting for you when you go through your photos and find that you have captured photos like these!
I wonder at the early arrival of the Bald Eagles. Forboding of a rough winter? Low food supply or fires in their territory to the north? With all the bird enthusiasts on this page perhaps the ornithologists or avid birders have some ideas to share.
“It must be so exciting for you when you go through your photos and find that you have captured photos like these!”
It is, Melanie. But all to often I’m disappointed when the photo is a little too soft.
It’s possible that this group of eagles is a family unit – some of the very few eagles that breed here. Or they could be early migrants.
Beautiful! Great series, Ron! 🙂 The immatures look SO different from the matures but beautiful in their own right.
Immature Red-tailed screaming over the field and yard the other day – sure no way to find prey…. 😉
Thanks, Judy. Sounds like your hawk might have been screaming in frustration.
Really stunning shots. Those are such BIG birds.
They sure are. Thanks, Kathryn.
Glorious series of photos Ron!
Thank you, Mark.
Shot #4 is wonderfully DYNAMIC , even if there isn’t a catch-light in the eye– I find the diagonal of the body/wings especially
exciting, and the very dark shadow to be a powerful accent to the
whole frame!
Thanks, Kris. I agree, which is why I chose to include it even without light in his eye.
Maybe it is a precursor to a good, snowy winter?
If only…