Bald Eagles

The Bald Eagle, sometimes called the American Bald Eagle, is not really bald, and so does not resort to the dreaded "bird comb-over."  Apparently, the word "bald" used to mean "white" in earlier times and the adult Bald Eagle more accurately has white feathers on its head and tail.

Eagles weigh an average of about 12 pounds, have a life span of about 25 to 30 years, mate for life and can fly at altitudes reaching over 9,000 feet.  The nest (aerie) built by an eagle pair can weigh up to one ton.

The following photos were taken this month on two trips to Prairie Du Sac, Wisconsin at the Alliant Energy dam.  All photos were taken with a  300 mm fixed lens hand-held in my car.  (It was too cold to man a tripod outside.)

The eagles perch in nearby trees and when they spot a fish they circle above the water, hover, and then grasp the fish.



(Note the fish held in the talons.)

This juvenile eagle has not quite reached the adult stage (note the mottled feathers and not quite white tail.) But it definitely knew how to fish!

A better photo of a juvenile.

 

 

 

Eagles will fight over territorial rights or to try to steal another eagle's lunch.  They also sometimes grasp each other's talons and do a tail-spin, often while mating.

 

 

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

I cropped this from the above photo and converted it to black and white.

 

Is it any wonder that the Bald Eagle was selected to be our National Bird?