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Searock Fan

Lifer
Oct 22, 2021
2,208
6,052
Southern U.S.A.
Speaking of eagles... Years ago I was on a motorcycle trip in the Colorado Rockies. I pulled over to the shoulder to take a break and happened to look up at the clear sky. High above I noticed an eagle soaring around. All of a sudden the sun hit him just right and his neck and head light up so bright he looked like they were made of gold. Then I knew why they call them Golden Eagles. puffy
 

Streeper541

Lifer
Jun 16, 2021
3,179
20,161
44
Spencer, OH
We have several nests around the area... I saw one a few weeks back. It looked extremely similar to the image below, but it wasn't quite as majestic. 1731415437834.jpeg
Somewhere I've got a picture from a port call with a bald eagle sitting on one side of the Dutch harbor sign and me in front of the other. I'll have to dig around in the basement and see if I can find the print.

They are truly beautiful creatures.
 

HawkeyeLinus

Lifer
Oct 16, 2020
5,816
42,070
Iowa
Great pics sir! That's the only eagle I'm likely to see on a golf course, lol. That eye looks like a high functioning camera lens!

Amazing to me that when I was a kid there were a few spots you could go and see them at certain times, now a lot more common in the Midwest - love seeing them!

Was in a boat up in Canada many years ago and we were in a quiet "backwater" area of a giant lake and there was an eagle way up in a pine tree. A very small walleye manage to get caught and the guide said, "watch this" and bent it just enough to break the spine and tossed it out about 30-40 yards. Pretty soon the eagle swooped in and plucked it off the surface! Saw tons in Alaska years ago as well - can't access on my laptop but have some cool pics of a couple that were engaged in a courtship ritual - awesome.
 
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woodsroad

Lifer
Oct 10, 2013
12,711
20,504
SE PA USA
Years back, I was canoeing in The Boundary Waters, crossing a large lake between Canada and the US. It was early in the morning and the lake, usually choppy with whitecaps, was smooth as glass. Unbelievably quiet. It was the last day of a two week trip and our minds were lost in the disappointing reality of having to return to civilization. Suddenly, we could hear hear air moving, rushing, but the wind was dead still. A very large Bald Eagle swooped in, barely six inches above our heads, and continued on down the lake at high speed, three feet above the water. A majesty and power unfathomable until you witness it.
 

dd57chevy

Might Stick Around
Apr 7, 2023
68
173
Iowa
When I was in my 20s , a kid was riding his bike when out of nowhere a large owl attacked him . I believe he lost an eye . They determined he had ridden too close to the nest .
Don't want to be the finger waving Dad here , but be very wary of approaching any wild animal......
 

Choatecav

Part of the Furniture Now
Dec 19, 2023
506
1,355
Middle Tennessee
Almost every time we trail ride our horses in Land Between the Lakes on the Tennessee/Kentucky border we see eagles. Lots of nests in that preserve and you can sit on the horse and watch them leave the nest and go to the lakes and get fish, then return to feed young. Just fascinating.
 
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BenMN

Lifer
Jun 21, 2023
2,198
37,674
St. Paul, MN
This Eagle was 15 ft from me while playing golf. It was enjoying a meal, given the large amount of fathers, had to be some large bird. These photos don't do this magnificent bird justice. I could easily see the size of the beak and claws. I had no thoughts of investigating more closely.

View attachment 347967

View attachment 347968
This is incredible for sure

I really enjoyed seeing this as eagles, to me, "belong" in the Northwoods. I've never seen one with palm trees in the background!
 
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Jan 28, 2018
13,920
155,706
67
Sarasota, FL
This is incredible for sure

I really enjoyed seeing this as eagles, to me, "belong" in the Northwoods. I've never seen one with palm trees in the background!
I found it strange to find how plentiful eagles are when I moved to Florida. We have a pond in our backyard and there is an Eagle's nest in the trees on the other side. There was a huge one sitting in my backyard a couple of weeks ago. 10 ft away. He decided to take off before I could snap a photo. The bird life here is quite incredible.
 
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BenMN

Lifer
Jun 21, 2023
2,198
37,674
St. Paul, MN
I found it strange to find how plentiful eagles are when I moved to Florida. We have a pond in our backyard and there is an Eagle's nest in the trees on the other side. There was a huge one sitting in my backyard a couple of weeks ago. 10 ft away. He decided to take off before I could snap a photo. The bird life here is quite incredible.
I like having my brain bent a little bit :)

Recently learned that loons, a bird that is practically synonymous with Northwoods lakes, leave every winter and head to the oceans. Learned this when they were freezing and falling out of the sky on their way back

 

Choatecav

Part of the Furniture Now
Dec 19, 2023
506
1,355
Middle Tennessee
I found it strange to find how plentiful eagles are when I moved to Florida. We have a pond in our backyard and there is an Eagle's nest in the trees on the other side. There was a huge one sitting in my backyard a couple of weeks ago. 10 ft away. He decided to take off before I could snap a photo. The bird life here is quite incredible.
You are correct. They have been making a grand comeback since they were listed as "endangered." Good to see them increasing in numbers all over the country.
 
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