Birds-Eagles

I think no other bird besides an eagle can stop me dead in my tracks when I see one. I will stop whatever I am doing whether I have a camera in my hand or not (and I would be very irritated if I don’t!). There is something about these majestic birds. Maybe it’s that they are the symbol of our country or maybe it’s just how they seem to rule the bird kingdom, but whatever it is they command my respect and awe.

Here are some fast facts about eagles:

  • Adult bald eagles average about 7,200 feathers!

  • Bald eagles can have wingspans up to 6-8 feet

  • Adult bald eagles can weigh between 9 and 14 pounds

  • If you see a pair of bald eagles together, you can assume the larger one is the female

Here are some of my favorite shots.

To see larger-sized images of these photographs, click here to go to my Heron Gallery, then click on any image to expand the photograph.

Juvenile Bald EAgles

Eagles are generally considered to be a full adult when the are roughly four years old. That is when we see the standard black/brown body and white head and tail feathers we typically think of as a bald eagle. Until then they are in various stages of being a juvenile. Juvenile bald eagles look different from an adult bald eagle. They can be anywhere from almost all-brown over their entire body to a brown and white mottle throughout. Incidentally, bald eagles are known to love to about 20-30 years of age in the wild although mortality rates in their first year of life are high (over 70%!). Below are some examples of what a juvenile looks like compared to an adult.

Juvenile bald eagle in flight. Note the grayish-brown body and lack of white in the head and tail.

Juvenile bald eagle in flight. Note the grayish-brown body and lack of white in the head and tail.

Juvenile Bald Eagle gliding with the Foothills in the background

Eagles in Flight

Watchin an eagle fly is mesmerizing. They have powerful strokes that enable them to glide effortlessly. Capturing an eagle in flight also allows me to capture the unique texture and patterns of their wings. Here are some of my favorite shots of eagles in flight.

Adult Bald Eagle heads down from tree before pulling up into the wind to take off

Adult bald eagle with S. Platte River woods in background

Adult bald eagle about to land on post

Adult bald eagle jumping from post. Note the black-brown body and full white on head and tail.

Adult bald eagle jumping from post. Note the black-brown body and full white on head and tail.

Adult bald eagle flying during golden hour

Juvenile bald eagle flying

This adult bald eagle flew almost directly over my head at a low altitude

Juvenile bald eagle heading down to something that caught its eye

Adult bald eagle flies some nesting materials back to its nest

This adult eagle began its ascent higher during a strong wind.

Adult bald eagle flies during golden hour

Adult bald eagle about to land shows its powerful body

Adult Bald Eagle carries a stick back to its nest

Eagles Fluffing

When eagles fluff their feathers they show texture and patterns not normally seen when just posing. You have to be ready with the camera because there seems to be no rhyme or reason as to why they do this. Here are some of my favorite shots of eagles fluffing themselves up.

Juvenile bald eagle fluffing feathers - almost looks like a “fashionista”

An almost adult bald eagle went crazy on this fluff!

Eagles Posing

When eagles sit on a post or tree, they exude confidence and concertation. I’ve been fortunate to get relatively close to posing eagles. Here are some of my favorite shots of eagles posing.

This adult bald eagle seems deep in thought

It’s as if this adult bald eagle sat for a head shot portrait for me.

Juvenile bald eagle poses on tree branch

Adult bald eagle calls to a nearby mate

golden eagles

Golden Eagles are a completely different species from the more familiar Bald Eagles. They are considered uncommon (but not rare) in Colorado and it took me quite a while to finally photograph them. Here are two image below of the same Golden Eagle who flew past me very quickly. I probably only had a few seconds but I got a couple good shots off.

Golden Eagle soaring almost directly above my head looking down for food

Golden eagle backlit as it glides in the air

Eagles - Miscellaneous

Sometimes a shot doen’’t fit nicely into a category. These are examples

This adult bald eagle feel through the ice on this lake. I watched in horror as it began to sink but then it lifted its wings on the ice and flew out.

These two adult bald eagles seemed to be having quite a serious discussion on the ice.

More Eagles

To see my complete gallery of eagle photographs, click here.