Tag Archives: Bald Eagle

• 2 Comments

•

Eric Zetterholm was photographing one of the two Bald Eagles seen this winter at the Gualala River. The Bald Eagle made a perfect landing on a snag in the river.

Then the Bald Eagle flew over to a group of Harbor Seals that were hauled out on the sandbar of the river. Look at the eagle craning his or her neck to view the seals.

Eric couldn't believe what he saw next. The Bald Eagle picked up a long stick, flew to the seals and DROPPED the stick on the seals!

We can only speculate why the Bald Eagle did this. Was there was some food - a fish, perhaps - on the sandbar with the seals? Or perhaps this eagle just didn't like the seals being in his or her territory? Fascinating stuff!

Thanks to Eric for allowing me to share his photos with you here.

•

Frank Coster had his tripod and camera set up on one of the pullouts off Highway One, just above Jenner. That is where two Bald Eagles have been seen in recent years. They often fish for Pacific Lampreys, a fish that is thin and long, up to three feet long. Frank saw the Bald Eagle fly towards a Sea Lion, which had a Lamprey in its mouth.

The brash eagle then dove towards the Sea Lion, his talons extended and ready to grab his meal.

Here the Bald Eagle steals the Lamprey from the Sea Lion.

And then Bald Eagle flies off with his spoils.

The disappointed Sea Lion then dives, perhaps looking for a meal he or she can keep.

What a great series of photos! I thank Frank for allowing me to share them here with you. Frank also collaborated with me for a feature about Bald Eagles in yesterday's Press Democrat. You can read my article and see some of Frank's other wonderful Bald Eagle photos at this link: http://www.pressdemocrat.com/lifestyle/7855159-181/bald-eagles-making-a-comeback

And you can view other dramatic photos taken by Frank at this link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ynegrwr/

 

•

It's so wonderful to continue to see two mature Bald Eagles at the Gualala River. Ken Bailey photographed this one last week on Tuesday at the Gualala River.

One of the eagles likes to perch on a snag near the river mouth. You can see the snag from the north end of the Gualala Bluff Trail, behind Trink's Cafe.

Thanks to Ken for allowing me to share his photos with you here. To see more of Ken's photography, including stunning underwater photography, here is his website: http://www.seadreams.org/

•

I'd say pretty darn wonderful! Paul Brewer was the lucky person who saw a Bald Eagle in the morning, and Gray Whales in the afternoon. I love the first photo where it looks like the eagle is skimming the sandbar with his wing.

And then the Gray Whale.

Paul also photographed a calf, but that photo will be shared another time. Thanks to Paul for allowing me to share his photos with you here. To see much more of Paul's nature photography, here is his website: www.capturingnatureswonders.com

•

Rick and Teresa Denniston spotted this 3+ year old Bald Eagle perched on a tall snag below their Gualala home. Two Common Ravens are seen below the big Eagle.

The Ravens were trying to harass the Bald Eagle. You can watch a short video of this at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1WXjv1on3w&feature=youtu.be

The Bald Eagle doesn't seem too concerned about the Ravens. What strikes me is how  much bigger the Eagle is than the Ravens. This Bald Eagle will soon be growing out white feathers on his/her head, denoting that it is an adult.

There have been multiple sightings of what we presume is the same Eagle. Chris Beach took this photo late last year.

Thanks to Rick and Teresa, and to Chris, for allowing me to share their photos and video with you here.