Immature Bald Eagle Surveying the Landscape

Bald Eagle Pair

This is the second day that I've observed the Bald Eagle pair perched in the same tree that they were in yesterday at the other end of the property.  I first saw them yesterday at 12:30 p.m., and they stayed until shortly before 6:00 p.m.  Today, they flew from the distant tree to one closer to the house with much calling and communication.  There they settled for a brief time only before one of them flew off.

"Perching Habitat"

"...eagles consistently use certain trees and even certain branches on the tree.  As much as 75 - 83% of the daylight hours may be spent on a perch.  Most perches border open areas and provide a good view of the surrounding habitat.  Exposure to the sun may also be important by helping to reduce heat loss."  source:  Status on the Bald Eagle in British Columbia, February 1994 (Wildlife Branch, Ministry of Environment, Land and Parks, Victoria, B.C.)

Companions

Two Bald Eagles perched in a favourite tree

Bald Eagle at Sinkut Lake

A Bald Eagle Sits in the Sun Looking Out Upon a Field

  Currently -18°C

The lake has frozen over during the frigid weather,
with the exception of a small opening at the bridge
and in the river channel.

This eagle hasn't got all of his adult colouring yet. 

 I'm guessing that he is between three and four years old.  

Immature Bald Eagle

There were two eagles - the immature eagle was perched on an uppermost branch of a spruce tree, and an adult, most likely the parent, was in a spruce tree at the end of the property.  The lake hasn't entirely frozen over yet, and the river channel is open so I imagine they are still able to catch fish.  But, as winter sets in, the eagles will have to scan for other sources of food.

A Large Fledgling

photo taken from an upstairs window

This baby Bald Eagle landed at our doorstep one evening recently.  He/she tried to fly but couldn't manage to lift off.  He waddled down the path toward a more open area and stayed there just looking around.  In the morning we came across him perched on a tree that had fallen over in a wind storm.  When he saw us, he spread his wings and flew down the hill.  It seemed he needed a clear spot and a higher elevation to get started.  Happy ending.   

After the Rain

A Bald Eagle perches in one of the Spruce trees.

Bald Eagle perched in a Spruce tree on a windy day

A short time later she flew over to where her mate was perched in another tree.

Bald Eagle

Earlier this afternoon, there was a great commotion near the top of one of the spruce trees. I looked over to see a crow dive-bombing something in the tree. Only an Eagle or a Merlin could be making the crows so distressed.

Winter Birds

This morning there were two Bald Eagles perched in the trees calling to each other. Not much else was going on though apart from the chickadees flying back and forth to the feeders.

Wintry Morning

 A dusting of snow, 0°C

Immature Bald Eagle in a Spruce tree

Bald Eagle

Lucky Sighting

Yesterday...

I was about to go for a walk when I saw a Bald Eagle perched in the tree tops near the house.  He flew away a short time later, but didn't disappear altogether.  Instead, he joined up with another eagle that had been sitting in a tree on the far side of the property. 

 

 Photo taken from an upstairs window

There they sat quietly observing their surroundings.

 

Evening

I took these pictures just before sunset yesterday.

Bald Eagle perched in a Spruce tree

Eastern Sky

Bird of Prey

Perched in the topmost branches of a spruce tree, the Bald Eagle surveys his surroundings.  It's a matter of survival for these central interior birds.  During the winter months, they must also look to the land for sustenance (rabbits, squirrels, grouse).

A few snowflakes were swirling down, and it was overcast when I took this photo at about ten thirty yesterday morning. I first saw the eagle from a distance and then I had to get closer.

Bald Eagle

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

I am always in awe whenever I see a Bald Eagle soaring.  It is a truly reverential sight.  This morning as I was walking on the path that leads into the woods, I looked up to see one of the Sinkut Lake eagles circling high above me.  He did this over and over, and I, of course, was focused entirely on this marvelous scene.  He finally came down and landed in a spruce tree where, to my utter surprise, another eagle was already perched.  I hadn't seen this eagle at all!  The result of this commotion was that the second eagle essentially took over the perch, and the other one immediately flew away with a loud squawk.            

Spring Renewal

"There is no time like Spring,
When life's alive in everything."

~ from "Spring" by Christina Rossetti (1830-1894)

Bald Eagle at Sinkut River

These Are Lean Days

Last Friday ~ It was a perfectly beautiful day in the central interior, mild enough to stop and take pictures.

A Bald Eagle perches in an old poplar tree overlooking the frozen lake and narrow river channel.

The patient eagle watches and waits for something to turn up.     

It doesn't look very promising though.  There is only one patch of open water in the distance.

Today ~ The temperature dipped again overnight, and when we woke up this morning  it was -22C.  The birds were here at first light.

Tall Trees and Birds

Look for the Bald Eagle in the center tree.  See him there high up on the right?  You might have to click on the photo for better viewing.  Two crows are in the tall tree in the foreground, difficult to photograph.

This is the picture I took (using the zoom feature) just as the Bald Eagle turned his head.

One very cold and sunny afternoon recently two crows perched companionably near the top of a tall tree.  They seemed to be enjoying the warmth of the sun, and perhaps they were doing a little courting as well.

It wasn't long before a Bald Eagle settled in an adjacent tree, his weight bending the spruce  branch on which he perched. The eagle sat facing the southeast corner, and his head, one side and part of his back received the full benefit of the sun's rays.  He remained almost motionless, moving only his magnificent head to scan the road and fields.

Meanwhile, the two crows in the other tree were completely at ease and in no hurry to leave.  In fact, they didn't fly off until the sun began its descent in the west  a short time later.  The Bald Eagle stayed until it grew dark.