Immature Bald Eagle resting on a snag, Wasatch Mountains – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/640, ISO 500, +2.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
On the first of February when I found and photographed an unusual and distinctive Bald Eagle with leucism I also photographed two more immature eagles in the same area. Since it was early in the morning it is highly probable that the two sub-adult eagles had spent the night sleeping on the snags I found them resting in.
Regrettably I was on a dirt road next to fenced private land so I wasn’t able to get any closer to the eagles or take frame filling images of them.
Immature Bald Eagle high in the Wasatch Mountains – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/500, ISO 500, +2.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
Both of the immature Bald Eagles had their backs facing the the rising sun. I can imagine that after spending the night in frigid temperatures high in the mountains that the warmth of the sun felt nice on their dark feathers. The mountains in the background had some snow on them but not nearly as much as I would have expected to see in February.
Later in the morning I went back to see if these two immature Bald Eagles and the one with leucism were still perched in the snags but they had flown off, perhaps they all went in search of breakfast.
I saw at least two dozen Bald Eagles while up in the Wasatch Mountains that morning but most of them were too far away to obtain high quality images of them or they were perched where the angle of light was not great. Still, I am glad I saw each and every one of the eagles up high in the Wasatch Mountains.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to view more of my Bald Eagle photos plus facts and information about this species.
This reminded me of my first immature Bald Eagle sighting with you at a Honeymoon Island Preserve. They were sitting in the trees but didn’t look like Bald Eagles. That is when you explained that only mature Bald Eagles have the white head. 😀
I wouldn’t have known that you weren’t able to get close to these birds had you not mentioned it — these are such wonderful shots! 🙂
Any day with eagles has to a good day.
I hope they survived your recent big dump of snow.