Adult Bald Eagle in flight in morning light – Nikon D200, f6.3, 1/2000, ISO 400, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, not baited
Normally during the month of February Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area has hundreds of Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) within its boundaries but that was not the case in February 2012. Because of the unusually mild winter we had many of the Bald Eagles that typically winter over in the Salt Lake Valley stayed in locations further north where lakes and rivers that typically freeze over had areas that were ice free.
4 year old Bald Eagle in flight with prey – Nikon D200, f9, 1/400, ISO 250, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 300mm, natural light, not baited
I missed seeing dozens of the Farmington Bay Bald Eagles sitting on the ice, flying over the marshes and stands of phragmites and scooping up carp from the water this year. Last year I may have seen well over a hundred Bald Eagles on a single trip to the WMA and this year four was the highest number I counted on a trip there.
The Bald Eagles that were in the valley have now moved towards to their breeding grounds along with the others that stayed north of here. I wish them a successful breeding season and I look forward to seeing them this coming winter.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Bald Eagle photos plus facts and information about this species.
Mia, these are the very shots that I hope to achieve someday! Just beautiful!! Hopefully, we will have a more normal winter next year and you can see the hundreds again! I really cannot imagine seeing that many at in one day!!
Karen, it is very impressive to see so many Eagles in one location. Hopefully this comingwinter will be more normal. Thank you for your lovely comment on my images.
Awesome feather detail on the head, and that look is intense!
Thank you Julie, Bald eagles always seem to have such intense stares, probably part of the reason why they look so powerful.
We saw unusually large numbers of Bald Eagles on Deer Creek Reservoir this year. We counted 34 in one afternoon. Wish I had your skill at getting them on film.
Sheila, this mild winter sure made the places where the Eagles showed up much different than years past. I hope to be able to see more eagles this year when I go up to Montana. Thanks for your very kind comment.
Awesome photos and post!
Thank so much Susan!
Mia, these are awesome shots. I just love the second one with the eagle gripping the fish. I run out of words to describe my feelings for yours – and for Ron’s – photographs. All fantastic.
Thank you Bob. The four year old Bald Eagle with the fish was awesome, I was also able to photograph it as it ate the fish on top of the pole. You are very kind.
I have only seen one bald eagle and that was in the Pacific Northwest. I can’t imagine seeing hundreds at a time. That has to be unbelievable. I love that first image, but I like seeing images like the second one because you never get that close in real life to see them acting normally. Carol
Carol, it is amazing to see hundreds of Bald Eagles at a time. They are fascinating raptors. Thanks so much for commenting.
Fantastic shots Mia. We have a few around here that occasionally fly over, but must be neat seeing so many. Sorry you missed them this year
Thank you Dan. It is neat to see Bald Eagles in the hundreds when they over winter here. There is next year to look forward to!