Excellent photos from UK’s James O’Donoghue. While in the viewing stands on the Glendale River there is always activity if you tire to the bears take time for some eagle action or blue herons. The grizzly bears are constantly leaving partially eaten salmon on the shore, which makes the eagles life much easier while the heron are searching for small trout. This eagle appears to be coming to claim some prey either a fresh salmon on a carcass. If you check the feathers above the talons they are wet making me think that a water catch was missed. In the fall the eagle move from other areas along the British Columbia coast to the river where the is much more food and thus providing or guest with great opportunities for photo like this one.
Bald Eagles
Bald Eagles are frequently sighted in our area. At times they can be seen in large numbers. This is usually where food supplies are high. For example this could be in areas with high concentrations of baitfish or along the rivers in the fall when the salmon are spawning. They are not migratory, but do move around with the food supply. As mentioned earlier when the salmon are spawning we often see many along the rivers, while there will be fewer along the coastline. With little need for camouflage their white head and tail feathers can be spotted easily. The female is slightly larger and her white head extends down a bit farther onto the body, but it is subtle. It takes these birds 4.5 – 5 years to acquire this unique plumage. As juveniles they are a brown colour. With exceptional eyesight and the ability to view 270 degrees they are understandably often seen in high perches and in trees near points and passageways.
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